By Asma bint Shameem
Of course we all know that honoring our parents is one of the *BEST* deeds in Islaam and one of the *’most beloved’* to Allaah.
It’s a *direct Order* from Him and is something that earns great rewards.
Allaah says:
*“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents”*
(Surah al-Israa:23)
However, one of the *easiest* ways to honor the parents, yet quite overlooked and even ‘forgotten’ is to keep in touch with the parents’ friends and loved ones.
And this can be done while the parents are still *alive* and even if they’ve *passed away. *
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
*“Part of honoring (one’s parents) is to keep in touch with your father’s friend.”* (al-Silsilah al-Saheehah- saheeh by al-Albaani)
Keeping in touch with your parents’ friends and loved ones is so important that the Sahaabah went _out of their way_ to do so in order just to honor their parents and fulfill their obligations towards them.
Once a Bedouin met Abd-Allaah ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhumaa on the road to Makkah.
Abd-Allaah ibn Umar greeted him with salaam, made him ride on the donkey that he was riding and gave him the turban that he had been wearing on his head.
Ibn Dinar said:
“We said to him: May Allaah guide you, they are just Bedouin and they are content with something simple.”
Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:
“The father of this man was a close friend of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (meaning his father) and I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say, “The best way of honoring one’s parents is for the son to keep in touch with his father’s friends.” (Muslim)
Keeping in touch with your parents’ friends is so important that some of our Pious Predecessors would even travel far distances just to keep in touch with them.
Yoosuf ibn Abd-Allaah ibn Salaam said:
“I came to Abu’l-Dardaa radhi Allaahu anhu when he was sick with the illness that would be his last, and he said to me:
“O son of my brother, what has brought you to this land?”
I said,
“Nothing except to maintain the tie (of friendship) that existed between you and my father ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Salaam.”
Subhaan Allaah!
How conscious they were to obey the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam at _every walk_ of their lives and how _concerned_ to honor the parents at all times!
So try and keep up with your father’s and mother’s friends and those that they held close and dear.
Call them.
Go visit them.
Send them gifts.
Do it *just because* they’re someone your parents cared about...keeping in mind the intention to honor your parents.
And earn the *pleasure* of your Rabb in return
May Allaah enable us to honor our parents in every way we can. Ameen.
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