Islamic Moral Education, Kindness to Parent – SS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Islamic moral education is the teaching that guides Muslims to be good, kind, honest and hard-working, as shown in the Quran and the Hadith.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain why Islam requires kindness to parents;
2. recite and give the meaning of Q17:23-29;
3. state the teaching of Q2:42 and Q61:2-3 on honesty in words and deeds;
4. explain the dignity of labour in Islam;
5. list lessons from the Hadith on dignity and labour.

What does Islam teach about kindness to parents?

Islam teaches that every Muslim must be kind, respectful and dutiful to his or her parents.

• Reason: parents labour for the child, bearing, feeding, training and protecting him from infancy.
• General teaching: Islam wants Muslims to be good, kind and generous to everyone, and to parents in particular.
• Link to worship: Q17:23 places kindness to parents straight after the command to worship Allah alone.
• Other verses: Q31:14 and Q46:15 also teach kindness to parents.

How can a Muslim show kindness to parents?

• Respectful speech: never say a word of disrespect or shout at them, even in old age.
• Humility: treat them with gentleness and submission.
• Prayer: ask Allah to have mercy on them, as they cared for you when you were young.
• Care in old age: help them with food, health, shelter and company.
• Obedience: obey them in all lawful matters.

What does Q17:23-29 teach?

Q17:23-29 teaches kindness to parents, generosity to relatives and the needy, and moderation in spending.

Verse 23

Waaqada rabbuka alla ta’abudoo illa iyyahu wabialwalidayni ihsanan imma yablughanna aaindaka alkibara ahaduhuma aw kilahuma fala taqul lahuma offin wala tanharhuma waqul lahuma qawlan kareeman

Translation: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them honourably.”

Verse 24

Waikhfid lahuma janaha alththulli mina alrahhmati waqul rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheeran

Translation: “And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy and say: my Lord, have mercy on them as they showed to me when I was young.”

Verse 25

Rabbukum a’alakum bima fee nufoosikum in takoonoo saliheena fa innahu kana lilawwabeena ghafooran

Translation: “Your Lord knows best what is in your inner heart. If you are righteous then verily, He is ever forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience and in repentance.”

Verse 26

Waati tha alqurba haqqahu waalmiskeena waibna alssabeeli wala tubaththir tabtheeran

Translation: “And give to the kinsman his due, and to the poor and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully in extravagance.”

Verse 27

Inna almubaththireena kanoo ikhwana alshshayateeni wakaana alshshaytanu lirabbihi kafooran

Translation: “Verily, the extravagant are brothers of the devil, and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”

Verse 28

Waimma tu’aridanna ‘anhumu ibtighaa rahmatin min rabbika tarjooha faqul lahum qawlan maysooran

Translation: “And if you (Muhammad) turn away from them, and you are awaiting mercy from your Lord, for which you hope for them, speak unto them a kind, soft word.”

Verse 29

Wala taj’al yadaka maghloolatan ila ‘aunuqika wala tabsutha kulla albasti fataq’auda malooman mahsooran

Translation: “And let not your hand be held to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that you become blameworthy and regretful.”

What are the lessons of Q17:23-29?

Why must Muslims be honest in words and deeds?

Muslims must be honest because Allah commands truth and hates saying what one does not do.

Q2:42 and Q61:2-3 confirm this.

What does Q2:42 say?

Wala talbisoo alhaqqa bialbatili wataktumoo alhaqqa waantum ta’alamoona

Translation: “And do not mix the truth with falsehood nor conceal the truth when you know.”

What do Q61:2-3 say?

Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo lima taqooloona ma la taf’aaloona

Translation: “O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?”

Kabura maqtan ‘ainda Allahi an taqooloo ma la taf’aaloona

Translation: “It is most hateful in the sight of Allah to say that which you do not do.”

What is the commentary on the verses on honesty?

1. Truth and falsehood are not the same.
2. Truth is a virtue while falsehood is a vice.
3. Dishonesty hinders the growth of society.
4. It is not good to say what one did not do.
5. Honesty is virtuous and beneficial.
6. Lying is bad and harmful.
7. The victim of a lie is unduly punished, and dishonesty is a crime as it is a sin too.

What is the dignity of labour in Islam?

The dignity of labour is the Islamic teaching that all lawful work is honourable and that earning one’s living is better than begging.

• Lawful livelihood: every Muslim should seek a lawful living for himself and his family.
• No shame in work: one must not refuse a lawful job because it seems low in status.
• Begging: a person who is able to work should not depend on begging.

How does working compare with begging?

Working means earning a living by lawful effort. Begging means asking others for help when one is able to work.

What does the Hadith teach on dignity and labour?

The Hadith teaches that honest work protects one’s honour and that workers must be paid promptly.

Hadith 1: the bundle of wood

Transliteration: La’an ya’ khudha ahaadukum hablahu faya tiya bihuzmati hatabi ‘ala zahrihi fayabi’ aha fayakuffallahu biha wajhahu khayrul lahu min’an yas’ alan-nasu’ataw hu’aw mana’uhu

Translation: “That one of you takes his rope and goes to the mountain and brings back a bundle of wood on his back and sells it, with which Allah should save his honour. It is better for him than begging, whether they give him or not.”

Hadith 2: food from one’s own work

Transliteration: Ma ‘akala ‘ahadun ta ‘aman qat tun khayran min ‘an ya ‘kula min ‘amalin yadayhi

Translation: “Never has anyone eaten better food than what he eats from work done by his hands.”

Hadith 3: paying the labourer

Transliteration: ‘A tul ajira ajrahu qabla’an yajiff araqahu

Translation: “Give the labourer his wage before his sweat dries.”

What are the lessons from the Hadith?

1. One should go to work for (earn) his livelihood.
2. Proceeds from one’s physical labour are more beneficial than the products of begging.
3. One should not delay payment of his employees after the work has been done.
4. All suitable lawful work is dignifying.
5. The prophets of God, too, engaged in labour.
6. It is obligatory for every person to engage himself in lawful labour.

Evaluation

1. Why is kindness to parents imperative in Islam?
2. According to Q17:23, how should a Muslim speak to parents who have reached old age?
3. State the teaching of Q61:2-3 on saying what one does not do.
4. Give three lessons from the Hadith on dignity and labour.
5. What does Islam say about a person who begs when he is able to work?

Assignment

Write out the translation of Q17:24 and explain what it teaches about how children should treat their parents.