8 Duties of a Child When Their Parents Have Passed Away

Dream - The duty of a child when their parents have passed away is something that everyone should know. Even though the parents have passed away, as a dutiful child, one must still give their best for them.

Being dutiful to parents is the duty of every child. Regardless of the condition of the parents, a child is obliged to be dutiful to them. Even after they have passed away, a child still has the duty to be dutiful to their parents.

So what are the duties of a child when their parents have passed away? Let's examine the answers below as summarized by Dream from various sources.

The Command of the Prophet to Respect Parents

Regarding being dutiful to parents, the Prophet Muhammad has conveyed it in many of his hadiths. Especially in being dutiful to the mother, the Prophet even prioritized the mother as the one who should be given priority.

In one hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, the Prophet commanded us to respect the mother by repeating it three times before mentioning the father.

"I asked the Prophet Muhammad, 'O Messenger of Allah, who deserves my best treatment?' The Prophet replied, 'Your mother', 'Then who, O Messenger of Allah?' 'Your mother', 'Then who, O Messenger of Allah?' 'Your mother'. 'Then who?' 'Only then your father, the closest family, and so on.'" (Narrated by Ahmad)

What are the Duties of a Child When Their Parents Have Passed Away?

The duty of being dutiful to parents is not only when they are alive. When parents have passed away, a child is still obligated to respect them by praying for them.

This duty of praying is very beneficial for the parents' souls to be accepted by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

In Kitab Bidayatul Hidayah, Imam Ghazali mentioned that parents who have passed away still have the right to receive rewards from the prayers recited by their children. The prayer of a child for their deceased parents is a deed that will never be interrupted.

As in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet Muhammad said:

"When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for their parents." (Narrated by Muslim and Abu Dawud)

There is Still an Opportunity to Do Good to Parents Who Have Passed Away

A child's devotion does not end even when their parents have passed away. The Prophet Muhammad himself taught how to be dutiful to parents who have passed away. As explained in the hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Baihaqi:

From Abi Usaid Malik bin Rabi'ah as-Sa'idiy, he said, "At one time we were sitting beside the Prophet Muhammad, then a man from the Bani Sa'idah came and asked:

"O Messenger of Allah, is there still an opportunity for me to do good to my parents after they have passed away?" Then he answered, "Yes, there are four things. First, praying for both of them. Second, seeking forgiveness for them. Third, fulfilling their promises or duties after their death. Fourth, honoring their friends and maintaining good relationships with them." (Narrated by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Baihaqi)

The Duties of a Child When Their Parents Have Passed Away are as follows:

After understanding the importance of being dutiful to parents even after they have passed away, it becomes clear that there is still an opportunity to do good to them. If a child feels that there are still many things that have not been done for their parents, fulfilling these duties can be a source of rewards that will flow to the parents' souls.

Let's directly see some of the duties of a child when their parents have passed away below!

1. Praying for both parents.
2. Seeking forgiveness specifically for the parents for their sins during their lifetime.
3. Fulfilling the parents' will.
4. Keeping the promises of the parents that have not been fulfilled.
5. Continuing the good habits or struggles of the parents when they were alive.
6. Paying off all the parents' debts that have not been paid off.
7. Respecting the parents' friends, including relatives and colleagues.
8. Maintaining good relations with friends, relatives, and colleagues of the parents.

Those are some of the duties of a child when their parents have passed away that can be carried out. There are actually many other duties in accordance with the will and habits of the parents during their lifetime. Of course, more specific duties can be adjusted to each person's life.

By fulfilling the duties of a child when their parents have passed away, may the souls of the parents be at peace in the realm of Barzakh and may all of their good deeds be accepted by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.