🏵️🏵️🏵️ Thank you, Evan, for your insightful reflections on the commandment to honor one’s parents. Your writing sheds light on the deep significance of familial respect, which resonates across various faiths, including Islam.

In Islam, honoring parents is also a fundamental principle. The Quran emphasizes the importance of respecting and being kind to one’s mother and father in several verses. For example, in Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24), Allah commands: “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,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'”

This beautiful guidance showcases the deep respect Islam holds for parental figures and underscores the importance of kindness even in challenging circumstances.

I encourage you, Evan, to further explore the similarities between our traditions and engage with the broader conversation on ethical responsibilities toward parents. Together, we can promote mutual respect and understanding, drawing from the wisdom that both our faiths offer.

What steps do you think could be taken to foster greater appreciation for familial respect across cultures?

Warm regards,

Mohamed, Ph.D