One day Abdullah was sitting on his bed reading a book, when his father called him and said, “Oh Abdullah, please come help me move these boxes. They are very heavy and I cannot lift them by myself.” Abdullah did not want to stop reading his book and told his father, “No, I am reading my book and I’m just getting to the good part.” Abdullah’s mother then came and asked him the same favor, but again, Abdullah said no.
Abdullah’s parents kindly asked him one last time to stop reading his book. Abdullah was angry because his parents kept disturbing his reading. Abdullah loudly answered, NO! He saw that his parents were very sad. Then, when Abdullah realized what he had done, he became very upset with himself and immediately asked his parents and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for forgiveness. From then on, Abdullah tried as much as possible to help his parents whenever they needed it, because he knew that being dutiful and respectful to your parents makes Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala very happy.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala has asked all Muslims, no matter how old they are, to love and respect their parents. Allah tells us in the Quran:
"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your lifetime, do not say to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility and say: My Sustainer! Bestow on them Your mercy, even as they cherished me in childhood." (17:23-24
