102 — Supplication for Parents and Close Relatives
We have already discussed the virtue of supplicating for Muslims to receive goodness, mercy, and forgiveness, and the immense rewards and abundant blessings that result from doing so. While a Muslim is encouraged to supplicate for Muslims in general, this is even more strongly emphasized and particularly encouraged for one’s relatives, for those nearest to a person have the greatest claim to kindness and benevolence—especially one’s parents.
In the two Sahīhs, Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that a man came and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?” He replied, “Your mother.” The man asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Your mother.” He asked, “Then who?” He replied, “Then your father.” Muslim adds: “Then your nearest relative, followed by the next nearest.”1
Al-Tirmidhī and al-Bukhārī, in al-Adab al-Mufrad, narrated from Bahz ibn Hakīm, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: “I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, to whom should I show the greatest dutifulness?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ I asked, ‘To whom should I show the greatest dutifulness?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ I asked, ‘To whom should I show the greatest dutifulness?’ He replied, ‘Your mother.’ I asked, ‘To whom should I show the greatest dutifulness?’ He replied, ‘Your father, and then your relatives in order of closeness.’”2
Among the greatest forms of dutifulness is supplication. Allah Most High says: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care