So give your ruling to one who loves you—I would give my life for you—
Who constantly speaks of you, whether absent or present.

He replied, may Allah be pleased with him:

We say that Hajj is better
Than giving charity and providing for the poor.

Performing Hajj on behalf of one’s parents is dutifulness to them,
And the mother takes precedence in such dutiful care.

But if the obligation concerns the father alone,
Then he takes precedence, so that harm may be averted.

As when the father is in need of support,
While the Creator of mankind has sufficiently provided for the mother.

Here is your answer, good sir, in matching verse,
Though the one giving you this ruling is not numbered among the poets.