(Haarithah bin Nu’maan [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] #1)
Sayyiduna Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was an eminent Ansaari Sahaabi of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) who had fought in the Battle of Badr. From all the virtues of this Sahaabi, it was the love, respect and selflessness with which he served his mother, Sayyidah Ja’dah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), that stood out the most.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once mentioned to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “I entered Jannah (in a dream) and heard the sound of someone reciting the Quraan Majeed. I asked, ‘Who is this (reciting the Quraan Majeed)?’ They (the angels) replied, ‘Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).’” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then remarked to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “That rank is acquired through obedience and service to parents! That rank is acquired through obedience and service to parents!”
The extent to which Sayyiduna Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw to his mother’s comfort can be gauged by the fact that he would feed her by placing the food in her mouth with his own hand. Furthermore, if his mother gave him an instruction, and he failed to hear what she had said, he would not inconvenience her by asking her to repeat herself. Rather, he would later enquire from those who had heard her instruction as to what she had said.
It was this quality, of serving his mother with complete love, respect and consideration, that earned this Sahaabi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) the rank where Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself heard him reciting the Quraan Majeed in Jannah.
(Usdul Ghaabah vol. 1, pg. 407, Majma‘uz Zawaaid #15713 and At-Tabsirah – Ibnul Jowzi vol. 1, pg. 191)
Lesson:
Obedience and service to parentsis a path to Jannah that is often overlooked. However, seeing to their comfort, fulfilling their needs and showing them the love and respect that they deserve is a great ‘ibaadah that earns one tremendous rewards in this world and the next. Furthermore, if we make their hearts happy, they will give us their heartfelt du‘aas which will assist us in both the worlds. On the contrary, neglecting our parents and hurting their hearts is a severe sin that will deprive us of goodness, happiness and blessings in our lives.
It is nevertheless important to remember that if one’s parents demand that one should do something contrary to the sharee‘ah, one must respectfully refrain from such actions. Obedience to Allah Ta‘ala is the first priority.