The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most blessed days of the year. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari
During these days, Muslims rush to fast, pray, give charity, and remember Allah. But often overlooked among these great acts of worship is one of the most powerful doors to Paradise: honoring your parents, especially when they reach old age.
You may find your parents challenging at times — perhaps they criticize more than they encourage, or they repeat themselves, or they struggle with patience or understanding. As they age, their dependency increases, and your patience is tested. But these moments are not a burden — they are divinely gifted opportunities for elevation in rank and the pleasure of Allah.
Allah explicitly commands:
“And 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 [even] ‘uff’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And 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.’”
— Surah Al-Isra (17:23–24)
Notice how Allah pairs worship of Him with kindness to parents. This shows the enormous weight of this deed in His sight — especially in these sacred days when good deeds are multiplied many times over.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) further emphasized this:
“May his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust, may his nose be rubbed in dust.”
The companions asked, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied:
“The one whose parents, one or both, reach old age during his lifetime, and he does not enter Paradise.”
— Sahih Muslim
Think about it: the one who fasts, gives charity, prays, and remembers Allah during Dhul-Hijjah may still fall short. But the one who serves his aging parents with love and mercy — especially in these ten days — is grasping an open invitation to Jannah.
As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said:
“Whoever performs good deeds during these ten days, it is more beloved to Allah than jihad in His cause.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, paraphrased
What greater jihad (struggle) exists than restraining your ego, suppressing annoyance, and replacing it with kindness toward a parent who may be difficult, forgetful, or needy?
Practical Ways to Honor Your Parents During Dhul-Hijjah:
- Call or visit them daily, with a cheerful tone and kind words.
- Serve them physically — bring them food, run errands, or help with their needs without them asking.
- Listen attentively when they speak, even if they repeat themselves.
- Make heartfelt du’a for them, especially in your tahajjud and after prayers.
- Avoid arguments, and lower your voice even when you disagree.
- Give charity on their behalf, or plan to sacrifice a qurbani in their name.
- Seek their forgiveness and make amends for past shortcomings.
- Be their greatest source of encouragement, and never let them feel like a burden on your shoulders—let them feel like a blessing in your life.
The Spiritual Secret
During Dhul-Hijjah, many seek closeness to Allah through external acts. But true nearness may lie in the unseen: the tears of a mother wiped in private, the smile of a father restored by a kind word, the du‘a whispered behind their back. These are the silent deeds that shake the heavens.
So if your parents are alive — especially in old age — realize this: you have a golden gate to Paradise open before you in the best days of the year. Don’t miss it.
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents… So be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
— Surah Luqman (31:14)
This Dhul-Hijjah, in addition to fasting and takbeer, don’t forget this blessed deed that is often done in silence — but resounds loudly in the records of the righteous.
