Global Day of Parents: An Islamic Call to Reclaim Family Values and Honor Mothers and Fathers

May 31, 2025

Every year on June 1, the world observes the Global Day of Parents, a special occasion to honor the sacred role that parents play in shaping our lives and societies. From the perspective of Islam, respecting and honoring one’s parents is not just a noble ethical act — it is a profound spiritual duty, emphasized repeatedly in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) and his pure household (p).

Quranic Teachings

The Quran powerfully commands us, “Be humble and merciful towards them and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they cherished me in childhood’” (17:24). And just before this verse, Allah instructs, “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and to be kind to parents. If either or both reach old age, do not say to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but speak to them kindly” (17:23). These divine words teach us the deep gratitude, respect, and compassion that Islam commands in our treatment of our mothers and fathers.

Teachings of the Prophet (pbuh&hp) and His Pure Household (p)

1. Loving Gaze Toward Parents
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) said: “The look of a child toward their parents with love is an act of worship” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 80). This hadith highlights that even the simplest expressions of love — such as a caring glance — carry great spiritual reward.

2. Reward of Mercy
The Prophet (pbuh&hp) also taught: “No dutiful child looks at their parents with mercy without receiving the reward of an accepted pilgrimage (ḥajj) for every such glance.” When asked if this applied even a hundred times a day, he replied: “Yes, indeed. Allah is greater and more generous” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 73).

3. Nobility and Obligation of Filial Piety
Imam Ali (p) stated: “Filial piety is one of the noblest of character traits” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 77, p. 212), and also said: “Filial piety is the greatest of religious obligations” (Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim, no. 4423). Honoring parents is therefore not only a personal virtue but a supreme religious duty.

4. Intergenerational Ethics
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (p) advised: “Be good to your fathers, so that your children will be good to you” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74, p. 65, hadith no. 31). This teaching reminds us of the vital social bond that filial kindness preserves across generations.

Reclaiming Family Values in Our Time

In today’s fast-paced world, where individualism and digital distractions often weaken family ties, we must actively renew the timeless Islamic values of compassion, responsibility, and care for parents. Strong families are the foundation of a healthy and just society. Moreover, we must remember parents around the world who face unimaginable hardships — war, poverty, displacement — and who tirelessly protect and nurture their children despite overwhelming challenges. On this day, we are called to extend our solidarity and support to these parents, praying for their relief and offering assistance wherever possible.

Let us all do our part — through any means possible — to ease the suffering and anxiety of parents who struggle to provide safety, food, health, and education for their children. Especially those living in conflict zones, famine-stricken areas, or other dire circumstances, doing all they can to secure a dignified life for the next generation.

Family: The Nucleus of Society

Islam teaches that the family is the cornerstone of a flourishing civilization. If we neglect the formation, protection, and support of families — and replace them with overreliance on individualism — society will gradually wither. This is contrary to the natural order, as God created all things in pairs for the continuation of life, as the Quran states: “And We created you in pairs” (78:8). From the smallest cells to the vastest realms of creation, everything is designed in complementary pairs — a testimony to divine wisdom and the essential need for union and continuity.

Our Collective Duty

Islam teaches that family is a shared trust — not merely a private matter. Upholding the dignity of parents and nurturing family bonds is integral to our commitment to justice, mercy, and community.

Let us honor our parents with love and respect and stand in unity with parents everywhere who strive to give their children a dignified life. May God bless all parents and reward them for their sacrifices.