abode,” that is, an evil ultimate outcome.

Allah, Blessed and Exalted, also says:
“Be good to your parents. If either one of them—or both—reaches old age while with you, do not even say ‘Uff!’ to them, nor rebuke them, but speak to them with gracious words. Lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small.’” ⦗al-Isrāʾ 23, 24⦘

Thus Allah commanded kindness toward parents. He said that if one or both of them attain old age in your care—whether the mother, the father, or both together—you must not be annoyed with them, for when a person grows old he may become feeble and burdensome. Even then, He said: “do not say to them ‘Uff’,” meaning: do not express irritation with them; “and do not rebuke them,” that is, do not scold them when you speak; “but speak to them with gracious words,” namely pleasant, gentle speech that brings them joy and dispels their sadness; “and lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy,” meaning humble yourself to them no matter how high your rank, just as birds lower their wings—so lower for them the wing of humility and be submissive to them out of compassion; “and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small,’” meaning: show mercy to them yourself and pray to Allah to show them mercy as well.

This is what Allah has commanded with respect to parents when they are elderly. As for the period of their youth, parents are usually self-sufficient and have little need of their children.

The author then cited the ḥadīth of Abū Bakrah (d. 51 AH): the Prophet ﷺ said, “Shall I not inform you of the gravest of the major sins?”—three times. We replied, “Indeed, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents.” These are among the greatest of the major sins.

So associating partners is a grave sin against Allah, whereas disobedience to parents is a grave sin against those who