The only exception of obedience to parents

Recently, many parts of the world celebrated Mother’s Day, focusing on the important role of mothers in family especially in the process of bringing up the children. While all religions and all societies have given parents an honorable status but Islam is a major exception because Islam gives mothers much more honorable status as compared to the other religions.  Islam commands kindness, respect and obedience to parents, and specifically emphasizes and gives preference to the mother as shall be shown in this article.

Despite the fact that Islam gives parents, especially mothers, such honorable status; there is a single exception according to which the children must not obey their parents. According to the Quranic teachings, regarding parents, it is important to understand that being good to one's parents begins right from the worship of God. Allah says: "Worship Allah and join not any partners with Him; and be kind to your parents..." [1]

Actually, Quran mentions the fact that “We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth.” [2] But at the same time almighty Allah (J) makes an exception to the above command in the following verse: “We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; but if they strive (to force) thee to join with Me anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not.” [3]

It is due to the importance of monotheism in Islamic teachings that Quran commands Muslims not to obey their parents if they force them to join anything with almighty Allah (J).  According to the holy Quran we must not obey our parents in all things rather the obedience of mother and father must be in accordance with the principle of divine unity. Except to this single exception all Muslims must obey and respect their parents because Gratitude to God is incomplete without showing gratitude to one’s parents.

Notes:
[1] Chapter 4, verse 36. وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا
[2] Chapter 46, verse 15. وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا
[3] Chapter 29, verse 8. وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا