The Sunday Mail
Umali Stambuli : Holy Qur’aan Speaks
ALLAH Almighty declares in the Holy Qur’aan, “And your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be dutiful to your parents.
| If either one or both of them reach old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor rebuke them, and speak to them with words of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “my Lord! Bestow on them Your mercy, as they did bring me up when I was small.” (Ch 17 : v 23-24) |
Interesting approach
When we compare verses of the Holy Qur’aan dealing with social, economic and political systems of Islam, we find out that most of the Qur’aanic verses deal with the social system, followed by the economic system and the least number of verses deal with the political system.
The reason is clear. While there is room for political evolution as the awareness of people increases with the progression of time, the social system does not undergo noticeable changes with the passage of time.
The nature of relationships of parents to their children or husband and wife relationships or sibling ties or our obligations towards our relatives is not different from what it had been thousands of years ago.
A special emphasis
In the Holy Qur’aan, the commandment for being kind and dutiful to our parents is repeated many times (no less than ten).
It is interesting to note that in the Holy Qur’aan, more emphasis is laid on the need to love our parents than to love our children or our wives.
The reason is that it is generally in our nature to love our children and wives, but as people grow older having their own families, their love for their old parents diminishes most of the times.
Therefore, the Qur’aan tells us to cultivate the love of our parents in our hearts.
Biological basis of our relationship to our mothers
In the Holy Qur’aan, Allah says, “and we have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents.
His mother had bore him in difficulty and hardship (during pregnancy) and weaning him off breastfeeding is in two years (so you should) give thanks to Me and your parents, unto Me is the final destination.” (Ch 31 : v 14)
In these verses of the Holy Qur’aan, the pregnancy period and the period of breastfeeding are specifically mentioned along with the commandment by Allah for us to be dutiful and thankful to our parents.
It is well-known that the first connection between the soul and body of a person occurs while the person is in the womb of the mother and that has profound implications in later life.
Recently, interesting scientific research has been done regarding the relationship between the pregnant mother and the unborn child in her womb.
The heart of the unborn child develops and starts pumping long before the brain is formed.
Even though the actual factor that triggers the heart beat is unknown, it is very likely that the heart beat of the mother triggers the heart beat of the unborn child who is in her womb.
. . .To be continued
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare
Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003
e-mail: [email protected]
