Sunnats and Aadaab of Interacting with one’s Parents – Part 4

13. If a person’s parents have passed away, then he should continue making dua of forgiveness and mercy for them. Similarly, he should do good deeds (e.g. recite the Qur’aan Majeed, give charity, perform nafl salaah etc.) and convey the rewards of the good deeds to them.

عن أبي هريرة، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة: إلا من صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له (صحيح مسلم، الرقم: 1631)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When a person passes away, all his actions come to an end (he is unable to carry out actions thereby earning reward) except for three actions; sadaqah jaariyah, knowledge from which people benefit, or a pious child who makes dua for him.”

14. If one failed to serve his parents and secure their happiness during their lifetime, he should make dua for them and seek forgiveness on their behalf. It is hoped that through making dua for them and seeking forgiveness on their behalf, Allah Ta‘ala will record him among the obedient children.

عن محمد بن سيرين، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الرجل ليموت والداه وهو عاق لهما، فيدعو لهما من بعد مماتهما فيكتبه الله من البارين (شعب الإيمان للبيهقي، الرقم: 7523)

Hazrat Muhammad bin Seereen (rahimahullah) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The person whose parents pass away while he was disobedient to them, then he makes dua for them after their demise (and in another narration, he makes dua for them and seeks forgiveness on their behalf), then Allah Ta‘ala will record him among the obedient children.”

عن أبي أسيد مالك بن ربيعة الساعدي، قال: بينا نحن عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إذ جاءه رجل من بني سلمة، فقال: يا رسول الله، هل بقي من بر أبوي شيء أبرهما به بعد موتهما؟ قال: نعم الصلاة عليهما، والاستغفار لهما، وإنفاذ عهدهما من بعدهما، وصلة الرحم التي لا توصل إلا بهما، وإكرام صديقهما (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 5142)

Hazrat Abu Usayd Maalik ibn Rabee’ah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports: “On one occasion, while we were seated in the mubaarak company of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), a man of the Banu Salamah tribe came to him and said, ‘O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), is there any way left for me to be an obedient child to my parents after their demise?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, ‘Yes, making dua to Allah Ta‘ala to shower His mercy upon them, seeking forgiveness on their behalf, fulfilling the promises that they had made during their lifetime (and were unable to complete), joining family ties with those relatives who are joined to you through them, and showing honour and respect to their friends. (Through doing these actions, you will fulfil their rights and be written among the obedient children).”