Duas for Parents - Honouring Them the Islamic Way
Quranic duas and guidance on honouring and praying for your parents.
After the worship of Allah, the Quran places kindness to parents as the most emphasised duty. This guide covers the Quranic dua for parents, the reported rights of mothers and fathers, and how to keep benefiting parents who have passed away.
Quick answer
The Quranic dua is "Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira" ("My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small," Quran 17:24). The Quran links kindness to parents directly to the worship of Allah (Quran 17:23).
The Quran on parents
- "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them [even] 'uff,' and do not repel them, but speak to them a noble word" (Quran 17:23).
- "And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small'" (Quran 17:24). See Surah Al-Isra.
- "We have enjoined upon man care for his parents. His mother carried him, [in] weakness upon weakness" (Quran 31:14).
- "Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day the account is established" (Quran 14:41). See dua 75.
What the hadith say
The mother first
A man asked the Prophet ﷺ who was most deserving of his good companionship. He replied, "Your mother," three times, then "Your father" (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Paradise and parents
A man asked to join a military expedition. The Prophet ﷺ asked whether his mother was alive and, when he said yes, told him to stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet (Sunan al-Nasa'i, graded hasan by al-Albani).
The pleasure of Allah
"The pleasure of the Lord is in the pleasure of the father, and the displeasure of the Lord is in the displeasure of the father" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, graded sahih by al-Albani).
The dua of a parent
The dua of a parent for his child is among those answered without doubt (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, graded hasan). Be mindful not to invoke harm on children.
Practical ways to honour living parents
- Speak gently, especially in old age or when they repeat themselves.
- Obey in what is lawful. Obedience is not required in disobedience to Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
- Provide for them and consult them about major decisions.
- Visit and call regularly. Keep up the connection even when busy.
- Make dua for them, with the Quranic wording.
- If they are non-Muslim, continue to treat them kindly, as in Quran 31:15.
After they pass away
The Prophet ﷺ said: "When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes dua for him" (Sahih Muslim). You can continue to benefit your parents by:
- Making dua for them, such as the dua for the deceased.
- Giving sadaqah on their behalf. A man asked the Prophet ﷺ whether his mother, who died suddenly, would benefit if he gave charity for her, and he said yes (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
- Maintaining their relatives and friends (Sahih Muslim).
- Settling their debts and fulfilling their lawful wills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dua for parents in the Quran?
"Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira" (Quran 17:24), and "Rabbighfir li wa liwalidayya" (Quran 14:41 and 71:28).
Who has the greater right, mother or father?
Both have rights. The hadith gives the mother three times the emphasis of the father (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
What if my parents are unjust or hurtful?
Remain respectful in speech and meet your own duties, but you are not required to obey them in disobedience to Allah. Seek counsel from a trusted scholar if the situation is difficult.
Can I give charity on behalf of my deceased parents?
Yes. The hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim supports it.
Is "Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers" a hadith?
A similar report is in Sunan al-Nasa'i and was graded hasan by al-Albani, with the wording "stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet."