وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا ۖ وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَآ ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 8
Translations
And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.
Transliteration
Wa-wassaw-nal-insana bi-walidayhi husnan wa-in jahada-ka li-tushrika bi-ee ma laysa laka bihi 'ilmun fa-la tuti'huma ilayya marji'ukum fa-unabbikum bima kuntum ta'malun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands kind treatment of parents while establishing a crucial boundary: obedience to parents is not absolute when they command shirk (associating partners with Allah). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that while dutifulness to parents is paramount, it cannot override the fundamental Islamic principle of monotheism. The ayah reassures believers that ultimate judgment belongs to Allah alone, who will inform all of their deeds on the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Meccan period when early Muslims faced intense pressure from their polytheistic parents and guardians to abandon Islam and return to idolatry. It addresses the real spiritual struggle of young believers like 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and others whose parents opposed their faith, providing divine guidance that respect for parents has limits when they command disbelief.
Related Hadiths
1) Abu Hurairah reported: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Let him be disgraced, let him be disgraced, let him be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, reach old age during his lifetime and he does not enter Paradise."' (Sahih Muslim) 2) 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr reported: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah and to disobey parents.' (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims must balance honoring parents with unwavering commitment to monotheism—kindness and respect do not mean compromising core Islamic principles. This ayah teaches believers that ultimate loyalty belongs to Allah alone, and that conflicts between familial pressure and religious faith will be resolved with divine wisdom on the Day of Judgment.