04/20/2014 My view: The fifth commandment is more than a directive
The Quran, which Muslims believe to be the revealed word of God, contains the essence of nine of the Ten Commandments. (The only one we do not share is the Sabbath.) The fifth commandment to “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land, the Lord your God is giving you” contains lessons for today that both Muslims and non-Muslims should heed.
The fifth commandment is more than a directive. Unlike other commandments, it contains a promise from God. The spirit of the fifth commandment can be found throughout Islamic tradition. Muslims are commanded to honor our parents and are reminded that we will be judged for whatever “good or evil” we have done in following Quranic directives.
“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor” (Quran 17:23-4). Muslims are reminded to respect their parents in the same breath in which God reminds us to “worship none but Him.” But does this promise cut both ways between generations? Our sacred books of faith tell stories of prophets and families with struggles, parents who have failed and children who have chosen a path not taken by their forefathers. Many find ruin and misfortune while others, like Abraham, found God.