Page 22 - The Mercy of Believers
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                                 THE MERCY OF BELIEVERS

                 Compassion Shown for Parents

                 Doing good and showing compassion for parents are
             clear commands that have been repeated in many verses
             of the Qur'an:

                 We have instructed man to honour his parents…
                 (Surat al-'Ankabut: 8)
                 We have instructed man to be good to his parents…
                 (Surat al-Ahqaf: 15)
                 Your Lord has decreed that you should worship
                 none but Him, and that you should show kindness
                 to your parents. Whether one or both of them reach
                 old age with you, do not say "Ugh!" to them out of ir-
                 ritation and do not be harsh with them but speak to
                 them with gentleness and generosity. Take them
                 under your wing, out of mercy, with due humility
                 and say: "Lord, show mercy to them as they did in
                 looking after me when I was small". (Surat al-Isra':
                 23-24)

                 In compliance with the commands of Allah, believers
             show a compassionate attitude towards their parents who
             grow old and need care.
                 The above verse also explains the extent to which a
             believer must show compassion to his parents. With the
             admonition, "do not say 'Ugh!' to them out of irritation
             and do not be harsh with them but speak to them with
             gentleness and generosity" (Surat al-Isra': 23), Allah pro-
             hibits believers from adopting a disrespectful manner or
             even a merciless attitude. Therefore, believers behave
             very kindly and compassionately towards their parents
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