Alhamdullilah, I can write this article while still knowing that both of my parents are alive and well…but many of us do not have this same opportunity. I hope that before my parents or I do pass away…that they will be content with what I have given them…and how I had treated them.

This is not for their benefit…but for mine; because on the day of Judgment no-one will care about anyone else but themselves…and their situation…and their book of deeds.

At length, when there comes the Deafening Noise,- That Day shall a man flee from his own brother, And from his mother and his father, And from his wife and his children. Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others. (80:33-36)

So we have one chance…and only one chance to treat our parents’ the way we should. I cannot stress to you the gravity of that situation. If for anything wrong that your parents did…even if they have become foolish and unreasonable in their older age; if they raised you up with the belief in Allah, subhanna wa taala and his Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)…then you owe them your life.

We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam." (46:15)

I hope that many of us can change our views on how we treat our parents to incorporate the realitiy of its effects on our akhira. This way, even if you can find no other motivation to treat your parents rights...you can at least find the selfish motivation of saving yourself from the hellfire.

Perhaps I should make ten parts to this series...or maybe twenty. Perhaps I should just make every single article from now on about parents..and the treatments thereof. There is a whole loads of authentic hadiths in Riyadh-us-saliheen that I could use. Perhaps I make even take over other people's writing days and just write about parents, parents, parents all day long, 7 days a week. All this until those with parents still living appreciate what they have.

This is not much to ask..this is not something that should be asked.

Fear Allah.

May Allah grant us selflessess.

To be continued insha Allah...