I attended a sermon about honoring parents, and among what the preacher said: that honoring them is required in all cas…

I attended a sermon about honoring parents, and among what the preacher said: that honoring them is required in all cases.

As for obeying them, it is restricted.

Good companionship and kindness to them are required in all cases.

As for obedience, it's obligatory in what benefits the father or mother, and isn't forbidden for the child nor harmful.

This detail - in its simplicity - is important, as many confuse saying: parents must be honored and obeyed, while the truth is that honoring is obligatory and obedience is conditional.

Among the beautiful things he drew attention to is that one of us may have fallen short regarding his parents or one of them and regrets. So let him then remember Allah's saying: (Your Lord is most knowing of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous [in intention] - then indeed He is ever, to the often returning [to Him], Forgiving)...and that is after the verses (And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment) and what follows.

May Allah reward you with good, Prof. Mansour Abu Zaynah

I say:

Whoever fell short with them or was undutiful to them then regretted, don't let Satan make you despair of making up what passed, and don't say to yourself: (Woe to me, I've lost it)...rather reform and your Lord forgives those who often return.

Don't let Satan make you despair so you sit back from righteous work and calling to Allah, but be active in good so perhaps Allah will raise your parents' ranks by it and remove some of their sins through it, and what better honor than that?!

A great religion, with no negativity, despair, or frustration in it, and a Generous, Forbearing Lord, the door of repentance to Him is always open.

And as our brother Dr. Ayman Khalil Al-Balawi says: And glad tidings to you, O good one :)