وَوَالِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ 3
Translations
And [by] the father and that which was born [of him],
Transliteration
Wa-walidin wa-ma walad
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to honoring and respecting both parents and their offspring, emphasizing the comprehensive obligation to show kindness to one's family lineage. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's oath by the parent and child, highlighting the sacred bond between generations and the mutual rights and responsibilities within the family structure. The phrase encompasses both the duty children owe to parents and parents' responsibility toward their children.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Balad, a Meccan surah that emphasizes the journey of the soul and moral responsibility. The context follows Allah's oath by the city of Mecca and the parent who gave birth there, establishing familial and communal bonds as central to human dignity and moral obligation in Islamic teaching.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah and to disobey parents' (Sahih Bukhari 5975). Additionally, 'Paradise lies at the feet of your mother' (Sunan Ibn Majah 3662) emphasizes the centrality of parental rights in Islamic ethics.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that respecting parents and nurturing our children are fundamental spiritual duties that reflect our submission to Allah's will. In modern times, it calls us to balance personal ambitions with family responsibilities and to recognize that honoring family relationships is a cornerstone of Islamic ethics and personal righteousness.