5 HACKS TO BE A BETTER DAUGHTER!
Family and Health Islam for
children Muslim children
Prioritise your parents over other tasks
Source : ProductiveMuslim / 03 Oct 2014
Firstly, we should acknowledge that as a
Muslimah, our first and foremost role is to
worship Allah but then immediately after
fulfilling these obligations, serving our parents
is the best honour we can have
. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“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” [Qur'an Chapter 29: Verse 8].
Allah has endowed upon women so many
challenging yet rewarding roles, but we often
overlook that being a good daughter is one of
the best ways in which we can worship Allah
– whether you are a married woman with
demands from your in-laws or a single
Muslimah who is looking to get married –
remember that you can live your life’s true
purpose by looking after your parents.
As a working Muslimah, I have been fortunate
and blessed to have parents who have always
supported me in my work endeavours;
however, I realise that some of us can take
our parents for granted and this can lead to
us neglecting our duties towards our parents
even though we may not have intended to do
this. So, here are a few hacks I have adopted
to fulfil my obligations towards my parents:
1. Prioritise your parents over other tasks
One of the biggest lessons I have learnt as a
Muslimah is that despite the demands on our
time from work, personal goals and other
aspirations – we must do our best to
prioritise our parents over other less important
tasks. It isn’t easy! However, making sure you
are flexible and checking in with your parents
before making other commitments outside of
work life can really help you manage your
family tasks and fulfil your duties to your
parents. I often block out time in the weekend
to see if my parents need anything and follow
up on any outstanding tasks. It also helps to
have an understanding employer who will be
able to understand that your family comes
first so there may be times where you need to
prioritise them over work.
2. Communicate regularly
I find that there’s nothing better than a cup of
tea with my Mum or chat with my Dad on a
quiet Sunday to build a positive relationship
with your parents. It’s very important to have
open and honest communication with your
parents, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to
have a very close relationship with both of my
parents. Even small chats and giving your
parents time can help them to realise that
they are not taken for granted – as parents
get older all they want is your attention just
as you wanted all of theirs as a child!
Something as simple as going for a walk in
the park or sitting in the living room talking
about life in general regularly can remind
them that they are still the most important
people in your life as you get older and
preoccupied with other commitments in life.
3. Be patient and good to them
I’ve met many sisters who have challenging
family circumstances, some have hopes and
dreams of accomplishing certain goals or
careers in life which their parents do not
support whilst others find themselves
constantly battling the expectations their
parents have of them whilst trying to practice
Islam (trust me I know it’s a long battle!). We
may fall into the trap of shaytan – talking
back to our parents, arguing with them when
we disagree on a matter or even saying
hurtful things to them. But we must remember
that Allah says in the Qur’an that even when
our parents do not not necessarily see things
the way we do, it is important to still be kind
and good to them. Sometimes I have found
that all it takes is a kind word to acknowledge
that your parents want what is best for you so
we should strive to obey and please them
unless their orders go against a command of
Allah. Ultimately, none of us can be perfect
daughters (as much as we may try to be!)
because perfection belongs to Allah alone. We
can however do our best to please our parents
with good words and kind treatment.
4. Give them quality time
One hack that has helped me recently to have
better work life balance is to schedule outings
and quality time with my parents. This could
be something simple and low-budget by taking
your parents to the mosque, having brunch in
your favourite cafe or scheduling a shopping
trip to treat them. This should be time where
you give them your undivided attention and
make them feel like they are worthy of your
time no matter how busy you may get in life.
After all, your parents most likely spent most
of their lives sacrificing and giving up their
own time and desires to care and provide for
you. Spending time with your parents,
especially if you don’t live with them, is
something you try to do even if it means a
regular phone call to let your parents know
that you are thinking of them and that you are
there if they ever need you. This is a huge
positive booster in being a good daughter.
5. Shower them with gifts and du’a
There is a profound hadith which highlights
how we will never be able to be truly grateful
for everything our parents have done for us
especially when we were younger. To this day,
my father will ensure all my siblings are given
an equal share in anything he buys. It is then
only befitting that we do our best to attempt
repaying them by gifting them with things
they like – cooking them dinner, buying
clothes, flowers (I love to buy unique roses for
my mother) or spending on them by taking
them on a trip to ‘Umrah or to Hajj – a
journey of a lifetime.
Finally, the best thing you can give them is
your prayers, as Allah says we should always
recite: “My Lord, have mercy upon them as
they brought me up [when I was]
small” [Qur'an Chapter 17: Verse 24]. We must
remind ourselves that making du’a for our
parents is one of the best actions we can do
for them whether our parents are still with us
today or have departed from this world as the
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said: “When a human being
dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for
three types: an ongoing sadaqah (charity),
knowledge from which others benefit, and a
righteous child who makes du’a for
him.” [Muslim]

It is a religious duty for every Muslims be it male or female to respect and care for their parents.

@post, very inspiring! I especially like the communication part. Having a long and healthy conversations helps us maintain a stronger relationship with them.


Rabbanaghfir Warhamhuma Kama Rabbayaani Sagheera...

kemiola89:
It is a religious duty for every Muslims be it male or female to respect and care for their parents.

@post, very inspiring! I especially like the communication part. Having a long and healthy conversations helps us maintain a stronger relationship with them.


Rabbanaghfir Warhamhuma Kama Rabbayaani Sagheera...

Amin ,even d noble prophet said :Al jannatukum ta'ta aqidami umuatikum.
May almighty Allah guide us

Aminzy:
Amin ,even d noble prophet said :Al jannatukum ta'ta aqidami umuatikum.
May almighty Allah guide us

Aamin. Masha'Allah