Regarding His words, “then do not say ‘uff’ to them”: this expression is read in three forms. Ibn Kathir, Ibn Amir, and Yaqub read it with a final a-vowel. Abu Jafar, Nafi, and Hafs read it with a final i-vowel and nunation, while the remaining readers recited it with a final i-vowel without nunation. All convey the same meaning: it is an expression of displeasure.
Abu Ubaydah said: “The original meaning of tuff and uff is the grime that gathers on the fingers when they are rubbed together.”
It was also said: uff is the dirt found in the folds of the body, while tuff is that found on the fingers.
It was also said: uff is earwax, while tuff is the dirt beneath the nails.
And it was said: uff is the dirt of the fingernail, while tuff is any insignificant thing that one picks up from the ground with one’s hand.
“And do not rebuke them”: that is, do not scold them.
“And speak to them gracious words”: words that are good, beautiful, and gentle. Ibn al-Musayyib said: “Like the words of a guilty servant speaking to a harsh master.”
Mujahid said: “Do not address them by their names or by their kunyas; rather, say: ‘O my dear father! [O my dear mother!]’” (1)
Mujahid also said regarding this verse: “When they reach such old age with you that they soil themselves with urine, do not regard them with disgust, nor say ‘uff’ to them when you remove their excrement and urine, just as they used to remove it from you when you were young.”
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them, as they raised me when I was small.’ (24)”
“And lower to them the wing of humility”: that is, be gentle with them and humble yourself before them. Urwah ibn al-Zubayr said ⦗208/b⦘: “Be gentle with them to the point that you do not withhold from them anything they desire.” “Out of mercy”: out of compassion. “And say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them, as they raised me when I was small’”: this refers to the case in which they are both Muslims.
Ibn Abbas said: “This has been abrogated by His words: ‘It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to seek forgiveness for the polytheists’” (al-Tawbah 9:13).
Abd al-Wahid al-Mulayhi informed us; Abu Mansur Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Saman informed us; Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abd al-Jabbar al-Rayani narrated to us; Humayd ibn Zanjawayh narrated to us; Sulayman ibn Harb narrated to us; Hammad ibn Zayd narrated to us, from Ata ibn al-Sa'ib, from Abu Abd al-Rahman—that is, al-Sulami—from Abu al-Darda, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The parent is the middle gate of Paradise; safeguard it if you wish, or let it be lost.” (2)