Prophet used to say: “The best of you are those who have the most excellent morals” (Bu. 61:23). In the moral code of Islām respect of and kindness to the parents occupies a very high place. “And do good to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with thee, say not to them, fie; nor chide them; and speak to them a generous word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say, My Lord! Have mercy on them as they brought me up (when I was) little” (17:23-24). The great stress which the Holy Qur’ān lays on the duty of obedience to parents is also apparent from two other verses: “And We have enjoined on man concerning his parents … saying: Give thanks to Me and to thy parents. To Me is the Eventual coming. And if they strive with thee to make thee associate with Me that of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not, and keep kindly company with them in this world, and follow the way of him who turns to Me … ” (31:14, 15). Here disobedience to parents is permitted only if there is a clash with one’s duty to one’s Maker. Even then kind behaviour towards them is enjoined. Special emphasis was placed by the Holy Prophet on showing consideration to one’s mother, so much so that paradise was described by him to be beneath her two feet. It is reported in a ḥadīth that a companion of the Holy Prophet came to him and consulted him about enlistment in the fighting forces. The Holy Prophet asked him if he had a mother living. On receiving the reply in the affirmative the Holy Prophet said: “Then stick to her for paradise is beneath her two feet” (Ns. 25:6). Another companion once asked the Holy Prophet: “Who has the greatest right that I should keep company with him with goodness?” The Holy Prophet said: “Thy mother”. The man asked: “Who next?” The Holy Prophet said: “Thy mother”. The man asked: “Who next” The Holy Prophet said: “Then thy father.”

Parents on the other hand were required to be kind and gentle towards their children. The suffering of parents in providing for and protecting their children was described by the Holy Prophet as “a screen from the fire” for the parents (Bu. 24:10). In one ḥadīth the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: “He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our little ones and respect to our great ones” (MM. 24:15). The words of this ḥadīth are general and apply not only to those younger or older in age but also to degrees of position and