The Muslim Way of Speaking: Speaking Well with One's Parents

Another matter to which attention is directed in the Qur'an concerns the manner in which one's father and mother must be addressed. In the following verse of the Qur'an, Allah instructs people to behave well towards their parents:

"We have instructed man concerning his parents. Bearing him caused his mother great debility and the period of his weaning was two years:

Our Prophet also pointed out the importance of this subject to the faithful with these words, "Accord your parents benevolent treatment." (Muslim) Truly, a parent's influence on a child is very profound. The mother must endure much hardship carrying the child for nine months in her stomach, and then afterwards, must make many personal sacrifices to ensure it is raised correctly. The father must expend great effort to enable it to reach adulthood. For one to ignore these sacrifices and efforts, made on his or her behalf, is ingratitude and contrary to the morality expected of a believer. Allah calls upon the believers to behave properly towards their parents, and to avoid arrogance behavior towards them:

With regards to this matter, Allah also explains how dutifully a person should behave as follows: Your Lord has decreed that you should worship none but Him, and that you should show kindness to your parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say "Ugh!" to them out of irritation and do not be harsh with them but speak to them with gentleness and generosity. Take them under your wing, out of mercy, with due humility and say:

Muslims should adopt a well-mannered and respectful way of speaking towards their parents, even to the extent of not resorting to rude grunts like "Ugh!" as an answer. They should be humble and empathetic towards them, and should always use the best language towards them. They labored to raise them and bring them up, and they should show them the same patience and compassion when they reach their old age. They should also be forgiving of their parents' faults and approach their needs with kindness. No matter the situation, they should never behave angrily or impatiently towards them. Even if one's parents rebel against Allah, as according to the Qur'an, though Muslims should not obey them in matters of religion, they should nevertheless do their best to get along well with them. The Qur'an explains the sort of behavior the faithful are required to undertake as follows:

In the Qur'an, attention is also directed to the superiority of this behavior, by giving the example of the Prophet Yusuf's well-man The Aspects of the Muslim Way of Speaking nered and respectful comportment towards his parents. When the Prophet Yusuf became the ruler of Egypt, he continued to behave modestly towards his parents:

The Prophet Ibrahim's way of speaking to his father, though he had wanted him to worship idols, is another excellent example for believers. Despite his father's belligerence, the Prophet Ibrahim maintained superior morality:

Mention Ibrahim in the Book. He was a true man and a Prophet. Remember when he said to his father,