Some of the clearest teaching in the Qur’an is about ordinary life at home. Two short verses in Surah al-Isra speak about how we treat our parents, especially as they grow older. They are gentle, specific and very practical.
This post reads those verses alongside one verse from Surah Luqman and one hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, and draws a few lessons for everyday family life. It is a reflection, not a ruling.
Quick answer
Short answer: Qur’an 17:23 joins the command to worship Allah alone with “to parents, good treatment”. It asks us not to say even “uff” to them, not to repel them, and to “speak to them a noble word”. Verse 17:24 adds humility, mercy and a dua: “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small” (Saheeh International translation).
What the verses say
Verse 17:23 begins: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment.” It then turns to old age: “Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.”
Verse 17:24 continues: “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.’”
The verses at a glance
- Where: Surah al-Isra, 17:23-24.
- The pairing: good treatment of parents follows directly after the command to worship Allah alone.
- The setting: old age, when parents may live with or depend on their children.
- Words to avoid: even “uff”, a small sound of irritation.
- Words to choose: “a noble word”, spoken with humility and mercy.
- A dua to keep: “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”
Why the detail matters
The verses do not stop at a general instruction to be good. They name a tiny sound of impatience. Most of us would never shout at a parent, yet a sigh or a rolled eye can slip out on a tired day. The Qur’an treats even that as worth guarding against.
The phrase “lower to them the wing of humility” is a picture of gentleness. It describes a posture of the heart: patient, unhurried and soft in tone. The dua that follows reminds us why. They cared for us when we were small and could do nothing for ourselves.
A mother’s place
Surah Luqman adds a second verse on parents. Qur’an 31:14 says: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness… Be grateful to Me and to your parents.” Gratitude to parents is placed beside gratitude to Allah.
A well-known hadith gives the same emphasis. In Sahih al-Bukhari 5971, a man asked who most deserved his best companionship. The Prophet ﷺ answered “Your mother” three times, and then “Your father” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5971). We share it here as context for the verses, not as a promise of reward. For more of Luqman’s counsel, see our post on Luqman’s advice to his son.
Four lessons for home
1. Guard the small sounds
The verse names “uff” for a reason. Small signs of irritation are often the first thing a parent notices. Catching them is a daily, quiet practice.
2. Choose a noble word
The alternative to impatience is not silence. It is “a noble word”: respectful, kind and clear. Even when we disagree, the tone can stay gentle.
3. Patience grows with age
The verse speaks of old age directly. Parents may become slower, repeat questions or need more help. The Qur’an prepares us for that season rather than leaving it unspoken. Our post on good character explores this wider theme of patience with people.
4. Keep them in your dua
The verse gives us words to say. Making that dua part of the day keeps gratitude alive, whether parents live with us, far away, or have passed on.
| Hurried tone | Gentle tone |
|---|---|
| A sigh or “uff” when asked again | A calm answer, as if for the first time |
| Correcting them in front of others | A quiet word in private |
| Rushing them out of the door | Waiting a little and offering an arm |
| Forgetting them in our prayers | Saying the dua from 17:24 each day |
Putting it into practice
A simple daily practice
1
Start the day with greeting: salam and a few warm words before your phone.
2
Listen fully once a day: give one conversation your whole attention.
3
Notice your tone: if “uff” rises, pause and choose a gentler word.
4
Do one small service: tea, a call, an errand, without being asked.
5
Close with the dua: “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”
Tip
If your parents live far away, a short daily call or voice note can carry the same gentle tone.
What this post is not
This is a short reflection on two verses and one hadith. It is not a ruling on family obligations or on difficult family situations. For personal questions, please speak with a qualified scholar you trust.
FAQ
Where is kindness to parents mentioned in the Qur’an?
Among other places, in Surah al-Isra 17:23-24 and Surah Luqman 31:14.
What does “uff” mean in 17:23?
It is a small expression of annoyance. The verse asks us not to say even that to parents in their old age.
Is there a dua for parents in the Qur’an?
Yes. Verse 17:24 includes: “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”
Last checked: 19 October 2026 (Asia/Riyadh) against Qur’an 17:23-24 and 31:14 (Saheeh International translation) and Sahih al-Bukhari 5971. Educational reflection only, not a religious ruling.
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