MOTHER IS YOUR NAFL HAJJ

A man left from the City of Farghaanah (in Central Asia) with the intention of performing Nafl Hajj. When he reached Nishapur, he went to visit Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan Al-Khairi (rahmatullah alayh). He made Salaam, but Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan did not respond. Feeling annoyed, the man reflected in his mind: ‘It is indeed surprising that a Muslim does not respond to the Salaam of another Muslim!’

By kashf it was revealed to Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan what the man was thinking. He commented: “Does a person perform Hajj whilst abandoning his ailing and grieving mother?” Jolted by this truth, the man abandoned his plan for Hajj, and immediately set off to return to Farghaanah. He remained in his mother’s service until her death.

After his mother’s demise he travelled to Nishapur to be in the company of Hadhrat Abu  Uthmaan  Al-Khairi.  When Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan saw the man, he leapt up, embraced and honoured him. He remained in the company of Hadhrat Abu Uthmaan until the latter’s demise.

The rights of a  mother, in fact the  rights of parents, are sacred. The importance and sanctity of the rights of parents increase with age. The bond of parenthood becomes stronger with time. Even if the son reaches 60 years, he remains a child to his parents and it remains his obligation to keep them happy in all lawful things. It is not permissible for even the adult or elderly son to depart on a journey without the happy consent and blessings of his  parents. And a journey in terms of the Shariah is a distance of 77 kilometres or more. Children should not deprive themselves of the wonderful Duas of their parents when they go on a journey. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described the Dua of parents as ‘Mustajaab (readily acceptable), without  doubt’.

Most people indoctrinated with western ideas are oblivious of the Waajib rights of their parents. The western cult of life is the life-style of animals. The parental bond fades into oblivion for animals.