Honouring parents is one of the most repeated commands in the Quran. Again and again, Allah mentions kindness to parents right after the command to worship Him alone. This guide gathers the key verses about parents, with their meaning and references, and two du‘as from the Quran you can make for them.
The key verses
Verse | Meaning (simplified) | Reference |
|---|---|---|
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا | Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be excellent to your parents | |
فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا | Do not say even "uff" to them, nor scold them; speak to them with honour | |
وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ | Lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy | |
حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ | His mother carried him in weakness upon weakness; be grateful to Me and to your parents | |
وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ… فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا | If they push you to associate partners with Me, do not obey them — but still keep good company with them in this world | |
حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا | His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship | |
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ… وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا | Worship Allah, associate nothing with Him, and be excellent to your parents | |
وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا | We have commanded people to be good to their parents |
What these verses teach
- Right after worship of Allah. Kindness to parents comes straight after the command to worship Allah alone — in 17:23, 4:36 and 2:83. That shows its importance.
- Even a small word matters. "Do not say uff" — not even a sigh of irritation — especially as they grow old.
- Mothers are mentioned in detail. The hardship of pregnancy and birth is described twice (31:14, 46:15).
- Kindness even when they disagree with you. Even parents who push you away from Islam are owed good company in this world (31:15).
Du‘as for your parents from the Quran
رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا — "My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small" (17:24)
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ — "Our Lord, forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day the reckoning is established" (Ibrahim 14:41)
Read more Quranic du‘as in 12 Rabbana du‘as from the Quran.
From the hadith
- A man asked the Prophet ﷺ who most deserved his good company. He said: "Your mother." The man asked who next, and he said: "Your mother." Then again: "Your mother." Then: "Your father" (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).
- The Prophet ﷺ said: "The pleasure of the Lord is in the pleasure of the parent, and the displeasure of the Lord is in the displeasure of the parent" (reported by al-Tirmidhi).
Practical ways to honour parents today
- Call or visit regularly, and listen patiently.
- Speak gently, even when you disagree.
- Help with their needs before they ask.
- Make du‘a for them in every prayer — and after they pass away.
- Teach your own children by example.
To recite these verses beautifully, our tajweed guide can help, and to learn the Quran with your children, see our Quran classes for kids.
FAQ
What does the Quran say about parents?
It commands kindness and excellence to parents right after the worship of Allah, forbids even saying "uff" to them, and asks us to pray for their mercy (17:23–24).
What is the du‘a for parents in the Quran?
"Rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira" — "My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small" (17:24).
Do I have to obey parents who are not Muslim?
The Quran says not to obey anyone in associating partners with Allah, but to keep good and kind company with them in this world (31:15).
Why is the mother mentioned three times in the hadith?
Because of what she goes through in pregnancy, birth and raising a child, which the Quran also describes in 31:14 and 46:15.
Sources
- Surah Al-Isra 17:23–24 — Quran.com
- Surah Luqman 31:14–15 — Quran.com
- Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:15 — Quran.com
- Sahih al-Bukhari 5971 — "Your mother" — Sunnah.com
- Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1899 — the pleasure of the Lord — Sunnah.com