One time, a brother invited me for dinner in Ramadan. I accepted it, and at the end of the iftar, his mother asked him to help wash the dishes. Her son stood up and told his mother: “You want me to wash the dishes and miss the Taraweeh prayers at the masjid?” He slammed the door and left.
.
Brothers and sisters, which is more rewarding? Helping your mother to wash the dishes, or praying Taraweeh in a congregation? I think many of us know the answer.
.
This is not to say that one should leave the Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan, but we need to draw the right balance so that we don’t neglect our family.
.
If I were to prepare a talk or a khutbah, hoping to inspire everyone who listens, and get it recorded and uploaded it on YouTube, and that video reaches hundreds and thousands of views, I’ll still be the biggest fool in the world if I did that at the expense of disrespecting my parents.
.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Whoever loves to be given more wealth and given a blessed, long (righteous) life, then let him stay in good contact with his family.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari 5986]
.
Brothers and sisters in Islam, if we want to have values in our lives, and leave a great legacy behind due to us living a righteous life, then be good to our family. And at the peak of our family are our parents.
