A NOTE FROM A PARENT TO CHILDREN

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day around this time, we are reminded of God’s commandment to honor our parents—not just one day, but everyday. It’s such an important commandment as the Quran mentions it right af-ter the first commandment:

We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat).” But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse. (2:83)

All the children in my life are beautiful blessings from God—especially my own. To watch you grow and learn is a reflection of God’s perfect design. Although I sometimes lose sight of it, you are signs of God’s mercy and richness that He has honored me with.

As with most blessings from God, however, there is a responsibility that comes with you—to guide you to worship God.

Now, getting back to the commandment to honor your parents. If I may speak for all parents who believe in God, the greatest honor you can bring me is to worship God as He should be worshipped. This lets me feel that I have fulfilled the responsibility that God has blessed me with. If you do what God wants you to do, obey His commandments and study His word, you honor me more than cards or words ever could. Thank God for the blessings He has given me through the children around me.

Donna A

Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, “What will you worship after I die?” They said, “We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god.
To Him we are submitters.” (2:133)

Ed’s note: The note was originally written in 1991.