Have we taken our parents for granted?

This evening I saw my neighbour, an old man in his mid 50s, cleaning and washing 2 of his cars. I had mix feelings for him as I can see how much a father loves his children and how much his children took him for granted. Every week, he faithfully washes the cars that are frequently driven by his 2 teenage children. I believe he services the cars, pump gas into it to keep it running and also keeping the cars clean. Every now and then I see his children taking out the cars with their bunch of friends to go for a jolly ride but leaving their father to pick up the bill and hassle of keeping the car in tip top condition. Every week, I will see this old man sacrificing for his children without complain.

Indeed our parents love for us is unconditional. With their sweat from their brow, they toiled to put food on the table and to keep their children's needs are met. Some of us may not be financially ready yet to help out parents but the least we can do is to lighten their burden in anyway and be sensitive towards their feelings.

In the Quran, it is clearly stated as one the commandments to honour our parents as long as we live. Parents are to be treated equally with kindness and humility. As we reflect, our days with our parents are numbered and when they are no longer with us, it is too late for us to turn back time to show our love and appreciation.

Therefore I besiege all of you and even myself to start to take our parents seriously. We can show our appreciation to them in many ways and to tell them that they are always important to us. Honouring them does not only earn us reward in heaven but also strengthen the bond between us and our parents.

I hope one day the children of the old man will come to their senses on how much love and sacrifice their parents has poured out to them and to return their love before it's too late to regret.