010: Serving Parents | Amidst a hectic work-life schedule

For many cultures, Eid is that special time of the year getting together with our families and spending quality time. Therefore, for this week's episode, The Barakah Effect team would want to spotlight the most important special family members in our lives: Our Parents. 

Our parents are the people who play the most important role in every one of our lives - indeed it is through them, that we exist today. Sadly, they are pretty much underappreciated by one too many people in our modern age. 

In this episode - by far is the most emotional episode of the Barakah Effect podcast to date - the team discuss the importance of righteousness towards parents, especially as Muslims, why should we even bother to be dutiful towards our parents, stories of righteous people who were dutiful to their parents, and most importantly:

- How can we fulfill this right of serving our parents in this contemporary era? Amidst our multiple responsibilities, in our careers, our own families, and our own islamic obligations? 

- How can we shift our mindsets and attitudes to be better sons and daughters? 

- What actionable, practical things can we do to serve them better, especially in these challenging times of the pandemic and lockdowns in many parts of the world, where we are all faced with the difficult challenge of being prevented from physically meeting them - and hence, serving them - in person?

00:00:00 Intro

00:07:08 Why is it important to fulfill parents' rights?

00:11:02 The meaning of "Ihsan" towards parents

00:13:20 Why being dutiful to mothers is more important

00:15:45 Guys experimenting on the pain of giving birth

00:18:07 Some benefits of being dutiful to parents

00:21:03 We are all guilty of not fulfilling our parents' rights

00:22:30 Being dutiful to parents is a fruit of knowledge

00:24:16 gratitude to parents is gratitude to Allah

00:28:10 They are aging beause of YOU

00:30:50 Uwais Al-Qarni: The one Honored by Allah for serving his mother

00:33:53 What does it truly mean to be dutiful to your parents?

00:37:13 Giving up the opportunity to be a companion of the Prophet

00:39:48 When a Foot massage is of higher priority than Qiyamullayl (Night Prayer)

00:41:28 Loyalty to Parents will never change, no matter what happens in your life.

00:45:40 How can WE fulfill our parents rights in light of our responsibilities?

00:48:15 Simple daily things: Just Communicate & Establish a connection with them

00:51:05 golden advice in dealing with stubborn parents 

00:55:58 - consult your parents and share hobbies 

00:58:43 mother's day vs. serving her everyday 

00:59:40 the waiter, the CEO and the sheikh's son

1:10:50 balance is about how you treat your priorities

1:11:55 every human is unique! Understand them by talking to them 

1:14:46 thank them by sharing shar'i knowledge within your own capacity

01:16:28 How to deal with disagreements?

01:21:30 Difficult parent is a test

01:23:10 Being dutiful to non-muslim parents

01:29:25 Taking care of their health

01:39:00 Story of Abdullah ibn Zubayr

01:41:56 Abandoning the parents means destroying your life

01:43:37 An example of how the righteous predecessors looked at the rights of parents 

01:48:03 A beautiful du'aa that encapsulates gratefulness to Allah for our parents

01:50:31 Serving our parents comprehensively: the secret and apparent deeds

01:52:25 The pleasure of Allah is tied to the pleasure of our parents

01:57:49 As long as we’re alive, it's never too late to make up for our shortcomings and serve our parents