Does Respect Still Exist Within Society’s Youth

Our parents have been with us throughout most of our lives, teaching us and being mentors for us. In Islam, honouring and respecting one’s parents is not something to be done once a year, rather, they should be honoured and respected every single day. 

In a hadith reported by Abu Huraira, we learn that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Verily, Allah made the creation and when he finished, the womb said: At this place, I seek refuge in you from those who sever me. Allah said: Are you not pleased that I keep good relations with those who are good to you and I will cut off whoever severs relations with you? The womb said: Yes, my Lord. Allah said: Then it is for you.

[Ṣaḥih Bukhari 5641, Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 2554]

This teaches us that Allah SWT will maintain good relations with those who are good to their families and he will cut off from those who cut off from their families. It also shows us that in Islam, honouring and respecting one’s parents is of utmost importance. However, unfortunately, most us youth today do not treat their parents with the respect they deserve.

Nowadays, we yell and fight with our parents incessantly, often over insignificant issues and topics. It is easy for us to spend hours online or hanging out with our friends, but we cannot stand spending even a second in the presence of a parent. 

As we age, our parents grow older as well, limiting the time that we have left to spend in their company. In some cases, when parents are old, they are pushed aside and end up living in nursing homes or homeless shelters. This is very disrespectful to our parents. This level of carelessness towards one’s parents is forbidden in Islam. Together, we should all strive to spend time with our parents and push towards growing closer as a family and learning to love one another. 

Allah SWT mentioned in the Quran: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour” (17:23). The understanding of this verse is that we should express kindness to our parents and speak to them in a respectful and soft manner. The Arabic word mentioned in the verse for disrespectful or aggressive speech is “uff”, which shows that even a simple groan could fall under the category of ‘disrespectful or aggressive speech’. And so, Allah has commanded us to address our parents with high respect and deference.

In Islam, our parents are obligated to raise us and provide for us. At the very least, we should try to make up for their hard work by giving them a small gift time to time or a dua that may bring a smile to their faces. Small, kind actions are greatly appreciated by parents and remind them of the wonderful advantages of raising a respectful child.