Qur'an 17:23–24 · Surah Al-Isra · Meccan
Kindness to parents
Arabic text
۞وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنًاۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلۡكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفّٖ وَلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلٗا كَرِيمٗا23 وَٱخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرٗا24
Translation · Saheeh International
23And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word
24And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small
Explanation
Our educational summary. It is not part of the Qur'an and is not a tafsir.
Kindness to parents follows directly after the worship of God. The verses ask for patience and respectful speech in their old age, humility 'out of mercy', and a prayer: 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.'
Learn more in these lessons
Respect for Parents and Care for Family
What does Islam teach about parents and family ties?
15 min