Is It Disrespectful Towards Allah to Say “Whatever” to One’s Parents?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I spoke to my father and commented on a political matter. In our exchange, I used the word ‘whatever,’ which I later regretted saying. I sought Allah’s forgiveness and told my father that I should not have said what I uttered. Have I disrespected Allah? Should I further clarify this to my father?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide us to what pleases Him.
You should turn to Allah in repentance and seek your father’s forgiveness, and there is nothing left to clarify after that. Allah knows best.
Not Even a Sound of Disrespect
In the context provided, the word ‘whatever’ comes across as a sound of irritation or annoyance. It is unlawful to express so much as a sound of annoyance to one’s parents, and Allah knows best.
Allah says: “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” [a sound of irritation] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” [Quran 17:23]
I pray this benefits and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
