Parents are one of the biggest blessings from God. Whether it be staying up all night to take care of us when we are sick or making us coffee during exam season, they would be willing to do it all over again. Our parents guide us in every step of our life, and they are the ones who never lose faith in us. Therefore it is the responsibility of children to respect and care for their parents in return. Nevertheless, they will never be able to repay their parents for their countless favours. In the Quran, Allah throughout repeats the significance of parents and respecting them.

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.” (Quran 17:23)

One of the notable examples is of Owais Qarni (r.a).  Owais Qarni (r.a) was a very pious man, and had always wished to meet Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.). As he planned to leave, his mother told him to return right after his meeting with the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and to not stay overnight in Madina. Hence, when he reached Madina from Yemen on foot, a journey of three months, he found out that Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) wasn’t there.

Upon remembering his mother’s promise, he left back for Yemen leaving a message for Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) that he couldn’t stay as he had promised his mother that he wouldn’t stay overnight in Madina. When Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) later received his message, the Holy Prophet looked towards Yemen and said “the fragrance of our friend is reaching us.”

Owais (r.a) never met Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H) but was given the status of a Sahabi (Companion of Prophet Muhammed) by Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) as a reward for his care for his mother and for being a noble and pious person.
The story of Owais Qarani (r.a) not only shows the importance of a mother but parents in general, and how they hold an elevated status in Islam. With that said, the best thing we can do for our parents is to take care of them while they are alive. We should also make dua (prayers) during their lifetime and after they pass away for them to be forgiven for their sins.

” RABBIR HAM HUMA KAMA RABBA YANI SAGHIRA (Our Lord! Forgive them both for they have brought me up in my childhood (17:24)”

Citations:

https://www.alquranclasses.com/hazrat-owais-qarni-ra/