5 Powerful Dua for Parents from the Quran

In this post, I do a mini deep dive into the incredible reason why dua for parents is so important in Islam.

In Allah’s infinite wisdom, parents are given HUGE importance. I was shocked to learn just how highly valued parents are when I started researching this topic.

(All quotations from the Quran in this article are taken from the English translation of the Quran by Mohammed Abdel Haleem.)

What is dua and why make dua?

Dua in Arabic means supplication: to ask for something humbly and honestly. In Islam, this is distinctly different to the five daily prayers or salah. Salah is formal, ritualised worship and obligatory for all Muslims. Duas, on the other hand, can be made at any time, by anyone and for any reason.

Dua is how we speak directly to Allah. In doing so, we recognise his authority and ability to answer our supplication. Duas are an open opportunity and can be used for personal, specific requests. There is no need to speak Arabic to make dua. You can speak to Allah in any language and ask Allah for anything at all. (Although, this doesn’t mean you’ll always get what you want!)

While Muslims are not obligated to make dua in any particular way, Allah does say in the Quran:

Call on Me and I will answer you; those who are too proud to serve Me will enter Hell humiliated.

The Quran (40:60)

In other words, Allah wants and expects us to speak directly to Him and ask for whatever we need. In this short, impactful statement, Allah promises to respond, no matter what.

It’s a beautiful reminder of how close Allah is to us and how close he wants to be with us. Muslims are even warned that if we’re too proud to speak to our Creator, we’re doomed for Hell!

How to make time for worship and dua as a busy parent

Now, as a parent, do you sometimes feel guilty for not being able to read the Quran enough? Or perhaps, you have been so sleep deprived, you have missed fajr prayer… five times in a row?

Do you try to make up your prayers when the kids are asleep, but then it’s full of yawns and eye rubs and you can’t really remember what surah you just prayed? I’ve been there too – a few too many times, I’m embarrassed to admit.

So, on top of the usual mum guilt that comes with the motherhood territory, I feel guilt about my relationship with God. Then on top of that, I constantly worry about guiding my children towards building their own loving relationship with God, hoping it’s stronger than mine.

Well, this is where making dua comes in, the spiritual tool at a parent’s disposal, at any time of day. It can’t replace the usual five daily prayers, of course.

But when things are just so manic and you can’t seem to find the time no matter how hard you try, you can utter a dua, quietly or loudly, and Allah will listen. That’s his promise and Allah never breaks his promise.

The amazing reason why you should make dua for parents

Parenting is tough, as illustrated above. It can often feel like our efforts for our children mean sacrificing our own relationship with Allah as a result.

And how often do we as mothers (or fathers) feel that all our efforts are overlooked? This can be by our own children or other family members. Or it could be society itself which places far more importance on valuing people by their monetary worth.

Allah knows though. Allah knows better than anyone.

In researching this topic, I was surprised to learn that in 4 verses in the Quran, parents are given top importance, just second to tawhid:

Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good…

The Quran (2:83)

Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good

The Quran (4:36)

[He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment

The Quran (6:151)

Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be good to your parents.

The Quran (17:23)

The close relationship between tawhid and parents

All Muslims know that tawhid (belief in the oneness of God) is the single most important tenet of Islam. You cannot be a Muslim without tawhid, it is non-negotiable.

And on four occasions, Allah tells us to have tawhid and then to be good to our parents. What!

This repeated connection is no accident. Allah is framing the concept of tawhid as intertwined with being good to parents. It’s THAT important. Mind. Blown. Just when you thought all your parenting efforts were gone unrecognised…

This is the most incredible reason to make dua for parents as a Muslim. In making dua for your parents, you are not only fulfilling your duty to call on Allah as commanded, but you are also reinforcing your belief in tawhid by recognising the importance Allah himself places on parents.

Add to this, the well-known, authentic hadith (reported saying) of the Prophet Muhammed on the issue of making dua for parents:

When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: sadaqah jaariyah (ongoing charity), beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him.

Tirmidhi, 1376

It’s clear just how significant making dua for parents is. Allah truly knows the worth of parents and has given us the easiest path to show our gratitude to them: through dua.

5 Powerful Duas for Parents from the Quran

Now you know just how crucial it is to acknowledge our parents through dua, you can get started with some beautiful duas for parents from the Quran. What better way to pray for them than to use the words of Allah?

Here is the list of duas for parents from the Quran below:

“Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the judgement will come to pass.” (14:41)

“My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.” (17:24)

“My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house in faith, and all believing men and women.” (71:28)

“My Lord, inspire me to (always) be thankful for the blessings You have granted me and my parents, and to do good deeds that please You; admit me by Your grace into the ranks of Your righteous servants.” (27:19)

“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” (46:15)

Do all parents deserve your dua?

There may be some of you reading this that sadly don’t have good relationships with your parents.

We’re not all lucky to have caring, kind and loving parents. Some parents, Muslim parents included, can be toxic, abusive and unloving. If that’s you, I’m very sorry and I pray it gets easier.

It may be quite hard reading about all the praise that parents deserve in the eyes of Allah, while you may feel that your parents don’t deserve such recognition.

Rest assured, parents don’t automatically get rewards purely for birthing a child. In Islam, there is a high standard on parents to carry out their proper duties and responsibilities towards their children.

Some of you may not have Muslim parents, and some of your parents may actively wish that you weren’t Muslim. 

The Quran recognises conflicting relationships between child and parents

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah , even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.

The Quran (4:135)

And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.

The Quran (29:8)

Allah knows what is the best for you, but please know that kindness to your parents is not the same as obeying them.

And while Islam encourages good relations with our parents, our religion is a practical religion, and you may keep your distance from those who cause harm, rather than good.

And in making duas for your parents, even when you don’t think they deserve it, perhaps there will be an increased blessing in it for you. Allah knows what is in your heart.

Having said that, we should remember that not all children are worthy of their parents, which is addressed here:

But some say to their parents, ‘What? Are you really warning me that I shall be raised alive from my grave, when so many generations have already passed and gone before me?’ His parents implore God for help; they say, ‘Alas for you! Believe! God’s promise is true,’ but still he replies, ‘These are nothing but ancient fables.’ The verdict has been passed on such people, along with all the communities that went before them, jinn and human: they are lost. Everyone will be ranked according to their deeds and God will repay them in full for what they have done: they will not be wronged.

The Quran (46:17-19)

This is reassurance for us parents who try our best to teach our children about Islam, and we fear they won’t listen. We fear that we will have failed as parents. It is a Muslim parent’s greatest worry in life that they raise their children to be pious and close to Allah. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, that’s not possible. Take comfort that Allah knows best and judges accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions about Duas for Parents

Final Recap about Making Dua for Parents

1. Dua is a command from Allah and a powerful way to secure closeness between you both – not to mention, it’s the easiest form of worship!
2. There is a strong connection between tawhid and being good to parents, so we should strive to make dua for our parents.
3. Remember that being good to parents isn’t the same as obedience.
4. Be reassured that Allah knows the effort you put in as a parent, and all the goodness you teach in your children is a reward for you too, even into the next life.