The Supplication of the Child for the Parent

The Noble Sheikh Muqbil Ibnu Haadi al-Wadi’ee  رحمه الله, in his book "al-Jaami' as-Saheeh" under the 9th Chapter of the Book of Manners, he mentioned the following:

Chapter: The Supplication of the Child for the Parent

He then cited in this chapter the following hadeeth on the authority of Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه  who said the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم  said:

إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَيَرْفَعُ الدَّرَجَةَ لِلْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، فَيَقُولُ: يَا رَبِّ، أَنَّى لِي هَذِهِ؟ فَيَقُولُ: بِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَلَدِكَ لَكَ. وفي رواية (بِدُعَاءِ وَلَدِكَ لَكَ)

Surely Allaah سبحانه وتعالى will raise the rank for the righteous slave in Paradise. Then he will say: “My Lord, how is this mine? He (Allaah) will say: Through your righteous child seeking forgiveness for you. And in another narration --- (Through the supplication of your child for you).

The hadeeth was reported by Ahmed (10203) and the other narration was reported by al-Bazzaar as found in Kashf al-Astaar (4/39).  And was graded sound by Sheikh Muqbil رحمه الله in the previous source as well as as-Saheeh al-Musnad (1389). As it was also authenticated by al-Imam al-Albani  رحمه  in "as-Saheeha" (1098).

Indeed the previous hadeeth calls the attention of the believing slaves of Allaah, men and women, young and old, to the great virtue which is supplicating for the parents. This is a matter which many of us are unfortunately negligent of. 

The meanings of the hadeeth were further expounded by the author of “Mirqat al-Mafateeh”, Mula Ali al-Qaari رحمه الله stated in 4th volume, hadeeth no. 2354):

NOTE: The translation of the hadeeth will be in point form and will be followed by the explanation of Mula Ali al-Qaari رحمه الله which will be between the squared brackets.

On the authority of Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه who said the Messenger of Allaah  صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

*Surely Allaah azzwajal will raise the rank: [i.e. to an elevated rank without any action]*

-         For the righteous slave: [i.e. The Muslim]

-         In paradise: [This is connected to where the slave will be raised]

-        Then he will say: (i.e. The slave]

-     My Lord, how is this mine? [i.e. How did this happen? Or how has this occurred for me?]

-      This: [i.e. This rank]

-      He (Allaah) will say through forgiveness being asked: [i.e. This has occurred by forgiveness being asked] by your righteous child for you.

[The (word) al-Walad (in the hadeeth) refers to both the male and female, and what is intended is the believing child.]

v Important Note: 

The intent here is that the person was elevated in rank beyond what they themselves had earned and without doing any deed by which they deserved to be elevated in paradise.  Rather this elevation in paradise was given to him/her by Allaah, because of the prayer and supplication of the child for them.  

Imaam Muslim reported in his Saheeh (1631) from the hadeeth of Abu Huraria رضي الله عنه who said that the Messenger صلي الله عليه وسلم said:

إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثَةٍ: إِلَّا مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ

When a person dies, all his good deeds come to an end except for three: Ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.

This hadeeth, like the previous one, again illustrates the virtue and merit of the supplication of the child for the parent. It also highlights the importance of raising and cultivating a righteous child which in reality will not occur except through sacrifice, hard work and above all, the aid of Allaah the Most High.  

Yet, if the parent strives and is diligent in educating and refining the conduct and manners of the child, then their hard work may be seen, not only in the grave but in Paradise –by the will of Allaah- as the previous narrations have indicated.

This is all in confirmation to the statement of Allaah the Most High.

وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلإنْسَانِ إِلا مَا سَعَى وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَى ثُمَّ يُجْزَاهُ الْجَزَاءَ الأوْفَى

‘And that man can have nothing but what He strives for. And. that (the fruit of) His striving will soon come in sight: Then He will be rewarded with a full and the best Recompense.’

{An-Najm: 39-41}

We also benefit from these narrations that the parents themselves should endeavor in obtaining a correct understanding of al-Islaam. As this in turn, will enable them to educate their children and cultivate them upon the authentic teachings of Qur'aan and Sunnah upon the understanding of the pious and virtuous generations which passed.  

However, if they are uninformed or lack knowledge of al-Islaam and merely contribute the fees for the Islaamic schooling of the child, how then can they be assured that their child is getting the correct cultivation and religious upbringing which are the essential source for piety and righteousness???

We ask Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to make this brief reminder a benefit to the Muslims. Aameen.

-         Abu ‘Atiyah Mahmood bin Muhammad حفظه الله