Page 82 - The Muslim Way of Speaking

THE MUSLIM WAY OF SPEAKING

their possessions are their own, and that they should speak in such a
way as to exalt the glory of Allah, as saying, "It is as Allah wills, there
is no strength but in Allah."

Speaking well with one's parents

Another matter to which attention is directed in the Qur'an con-
cerns the manner in which one's father and mother must be addressed.
In the following verse of the Qur'an, Allah instructs people to behave
well towards their parents: "We have instructed man concerning his
parents. Bearing him caused his mother great debility and the period
of his weaning was two years: 'Give thanks to Me and to your par-
ents. I am your final destination.'" (Surah Luqman: 14) Our Prophet
(saas) also pointed out the importance of this subject to the faithful with
these words, "Accord your parents benevolent treatment." (Muslim)
Truly, a parent's influence on a child is very profound. The mother
must endure much hardship carrying the child for nine months in her
stomach, and then afterwards, must make many personal sacrifices to
ensure it is raised correctly. The father must expend great effort to en-
able it to reach adulthood. For one to ignore these sacrifices and efforts,
made on his or her behalf, is ingratitude and contrary to the morality
expected of a believer. Allah calls upon the believers to behave properly
towards their parents, and to avoid arrogance behavior towards them:
"… Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very
poor, and to neighbors who are related to you and neighbors who are
not related to you, and to companions and travelers and your slaves.
Allah does not love anyone vain or boastful." (Surat an-Nisa': 36)
With regards to this matter, Allah also explains how dutifully a per-
son should behave as follows:
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

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