Firdous Ahmad Najar
“From the moment a child enters the world, an entire chapter of parental sacrifice begins. Sleepless nights, financial stress, emotional worry, and endless responsibilities become part of a routine rarely spoken of. Like a candle that burns itself to offer light, parents consume their comfort to illuminate their children’s futures. Such devotion silently builds the foundations of society.”
In every society, conversations about progress often revolve around economics, governance, education, or technological advancement. Yet the most powerful and foundational driving force behind the growth of any community remains the same across cultures and centuries: parents. They are the quiet architects of human character, the unseen builders of nations, and the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life. Their role is not temporary, nor is it limited to basic caregiving. It is a lifelong mission of sacrifice, guidance, love, and moral shaping.
Every family stands on two pillars, mother and father. When these pillars remain strong, stable, and united, the family structure becomes firm. Parents are not merely caretakers; they are the emotional, moral, and psychological fortresses of their children. They become the first source of comfort, the first school of manners, and the first shelter against life’s difficulties. Under their gentle shade, children find peace, affection, and a sense of belonging. Their advice carries sincerity, their warnings carry wisdom, and their prayers carry blessings that no worldly support can replace.
From the moment a child enters the world, an entire chapter of parental sacrifice begins. Parents put aside their own desires, comfort, and personal time to nurture a small and fragile being who cannot express its needs. They endure sleepless nights, financial stress, emotional worry, and continuous responsibilities; yet rarely do they complain. Like a candle that burns itself to give light, they willingly exhaust themselves to brighten the future of their children. They face cold and heat, illness and exhaustion, all so that their children may grow into responsible, confident, and successful adults. Such sacrifices silently shape a healthy generation and a morally sound society.
It is in this context that a timeless moral truth becomes clear: those who treated you like a prince in your childhood deserve to be treated like kings when they grow old. This simple wisdom summarises the lifelong debt owed to parents: one that no child can ever fully repay.
Interestingly, the value of parents is not confined to a single culture or belief system. Across the world, almost every major religion places exceptional emphasis on honoring parents. This universal harmony shows that parental respect is not just a virtue but an ethical foundation shared by humanity. In Hinduism, sacred texts describe parents as divine representatives, and the Taittiriya Upanishad instructs: “Matru devo bhava, Pitru devo bhava”: a reminder that gratitude towards parents is a sacred duty. Sikhism echoes this reverence; the Guru Granth Sahib teaches that honouring mother, father, and home is the first step toward conquering the world.
Islam, too, places parents at the centre of moral life. The Qur’an commands believers to show kindness to their parents immediately after the command to worship God alone: an order that reflects the magnitude of parental rights. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasised the mother’s immeasurable sacrifices by repeating three times, “Your mother, your mother, your mother,” when a man asked, “Who among people deserves my best treatment and good conduct the most?” He then added, “and then your father,” while also describing the father as “the best gate of Paradise.” Buddhism upholds the principle that parents are “worthy of offerings,” and Christianity reinforces the duty with the commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” These teachings, though belonging to different religious traditions, converge on one universal truth: reverence for parents lies at the heart of a morally enlightened civilisation.
Yet modern society increasingly neglects this fundamental value. In a world shaped by individualism, digital distractions, and fast-paced living, many elderly parents silently suffer loneliness, even in homes filled with people. Rights are often discussed, but the rights of parents seldom find themselves at the centre of public discourse. The Qur’an sets a clear standard for how children must treat their aging parents, instructing believers not to utter even a word of irritation,not even “uff”; toward them. It calls for gentle speech, humility, and prayers for their mercy, reminding children of the mercy their parents showed when they were young and helpless.
Kindness toward parents does not merely yield spiritual benefit; it has profound emotional and practical outcomes. Studies show that people who maintain strong relationships with their parents often enjoy better mental stability, deeper emotional resilience, and a strengthened sense of purpose. From a religious perspective, treating parents with compassion brings blessings in wealth, protection, and longevity. When children preserve their bond with parents, families stay united, and communities grow more empathetic and socially secure.
Financial care for parents is equally important. Many people consider their earnings solely their own, forgetting the lifelong sacrifices their parents made to make those earnings possible. Islam teaches that spending on parents is among the best forms of charity. The Prophet ﷺ reminded believers, “You and your wealth belong to your father,” highlighting the father’s rightful claim to financial assistance when required. This principle transcends religion; it reflects an ethical truth: children owe their parents comfort, stability, and security in old age.
Beyond financial and emotional care, honoring parents means fulfilling practical responsibilities, ensuring quality healthcare, providing comfort, offering time, and never allowing them to feel like a burden. Parents do not crave luxury; they crave dignity. They do not expect repayment; they hope for compassion. Often, a sincere conversation, a shared meal, or a warm gesture means far more to them than any material gift.
Parents are not only the emotional backbone of a family; they are the real architects of a nation. Every scientist, doctor, judge, engineer, bureaucrat, artist, or leader begins their journey in the lap of a parent whose sacrifices often go unseen. Behind every national achievement lies a mother who spent sleepless nights and a father who quietly gave up his comforts. Therefore, nations must recognise the centrality of parents in nation-building. Elder care must be woven into law, finance, healthcare, and social welfare. Strong legal protections, meaningful pension support, and penalties for abandonment are essential to ensure that aging parents remain secure, respected, and valued.
The duty toward parents does not end with their worldly life. Islamic teachings emphasise that even after parents pass away, children continue to honour them through prayers, charity on their behalf, fulfilling their responsibilities, and maintaining ties with their friends and relatives. These acts become ongoing charity that elevates the parents’ status in the hereafter. This principle is echoed in many cultures that view remembrance of ancestors as a sacred tradition.
In an age where traditional family systems are weakening and the elderly population is growing, the need to revive moral responsibility toward parents becomes even more urgent. Societies that neglect their elders lose their emotional balance, cultural continuity, and moral grounding. Conversely, communities that honour parents remain compassionate, stable, and deeply rooted.
Today, many elderly parents face isolation, financial insecurity, or emotional neglect. Some are left in old-age homes without visits; others remain unseen in their own homes. These are not just individual failures, they are societal failures. A society cannot call itself civilised if its elders live in fear, loneliness, or indignity. Public awareness, stronger laws, community support, and educational reforms must work together to rebuild a culture of parental respect.
Community institutions: religious centres, neighbourhood groups, and social organisations; must also play an active role. Celebrations, festivals, and gatherings should involve elders meaningfully, keeping them socially connected and emotionally engaged. School curricula must incorporate lessons of gratitude, empathy, and intergenerational respect so that future generations grow up with a deep understanding of parental rights and responsibilities.
Ultimately, the strength of a nation lies not merely in its economic growth or technological progress but in its moral foundations. A nation that honours its parents honours its history. A country that ensures the well-being of its elderly safeguards its cultural and ethical survival.
As we move through life, caught in responsibilities, ambitions, and deadlines; let us pause and ask ourselves: Have we acknowledged our parents’ sacrifices? Have we given them the love and respect they deserve? Have we listened to them, spent time with them, or prayed for them? The answers to these questions define not only our character but also the moral future of our society.
Parents have already done their part with unwavering devotion. Now, it is our turn to do ours.
The writer is resident of Arin Bandipora, can be reached at njfirdous090@gmail.com
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