Highlights from Book talk by Mujeeb Jaihoon (author of Mothers & Martyrs)at Straightpath International School, Panakkad- Kerala, on Aug 06 2018.
Parent-Child Bond: Chosen by God. Nurtured by Humans

As any other human being, it is difficult to speak about this topic minus a touch of emotionality. We are all emotional about our parents. The relationship between parent and child is not about benefit or favor alone. Friendships can be broken. Incompatible couples may divorce. Business partnerships can be dissolved. People may impeach their leader. Any other relationship can be disconnected or separated except of parent and child. It is a divine-instilled relationship. Parents and children do not choose either. They are God-ordained. Their bond, therefore, cannot be broken. There may be physical distance between the hostel and home, but not between hearts of parents and children.

Ranking Parents. Next to Lord

When I wrote the poem, My Mother, my Paradise, I had meant every line of that poem. We may joke about friends and teachers, but not about the sanctity and dignity of parents in our lives. If someone asks where you rank your parents, the answer does not require a second thought. If you believe in a Creator, their honor comes immediately and exactly after the Almighty. Most faiths across the globe, I believe, will share the same sentiment of Islam in this matter. When my son was enrolled along with you in hostel for some years, he underwent much pain being distant from his parents. However, his mother and father suffered several times more pain for their distant offspring. You would be convinced of this phenomenon only in the future.

Sweet to Friends. Severe with Parents

Your parents are not a group you should take lightly. When young, we are extra kind to friends but rude to parents. However, in line with Quranic injunctions, being sweet to others while being severe to parents is an act of crime against kindness itself. Parenting, of course, is a two-way relationship with the child too deserving compassionate care from parents.

Invest in Parents. Elevate in Success

Even if we get business-like with respect to parents, there is every reason to spend time and efforts with them. Every human being is a soft capitalist by nature, with minimum profit expectations. If you are a smart businessperson, you are likely to invest in the most profitable ventures. In real life, spending time, effort and love in parents will yield the maximum benefit considering the reward set by Almighty for kind treatment of parents. Moreover, even as we consider worldly success, there is good reasons for embracing filial piety. Since, their prayers for our achievements are more sincere and serious than our own distracted pleas to Almighty. They seek for their child adamantly and absolutely until the prayer is granted. Hence, it makes only heavenly and earthly sense to be good to parents.

Deceptive Friends. Receptive Parents

We all have friends. Yet, we also agree that true friends are those who stand by our side in all times, especially bad. Your best school friends may not join in college. Your college buddies may not accompany you after a couple of years. The only ones who stand by you are the parents. The same two souls who breathlessly awaited to welcome you to this world at birth. Invest in parents; reap your success wherever you go. Paradise appears somewhere between the smile of parents. And the hell-fire is hidden in the tears of their pain.

Parents: More than a Shopping Mall

The majority of problems children face today is due to lack of parent-child relationship. Children should feel free to discuss their issues with parents, at the very beginning. Parents should be the first to know, not friends or neighbors. Parents should also be the foremost to hear about the child’s achievements as well, not just the problems. Children should be able to perceive their parents beyond a shopping mall, from whom they can buy their gifts and gadgets. Sharing is the whole spirit of relationship.

Passion: Sports with Popcorn vs. Under the Sun

We usually think parents change children. The reality is vice versa. Every child can influence parents. God has blessed everyone differently. Everyone is a king with his or her own talents. No one is stupid. God created each one of you unique. Treading others’ paths is to belittle your gifted talents. I stand before you for talents other than excess wealth or extraordinary academics. Rather, for a reason of creativity and innovation I discovered while in college. Passion is the secret of creative life. If you are not passionate about life, it is not worth living at all. If soccer sets you on fire, do not just sit on sofa and watch it on TV with popcorn and soft drink in hand. Burn yourself in the open ground under the scorching sun. That is minimum passion. Sportsmanship does not mean playing FIFA video game nor making banners of their favorite teams or players. When in passion, only the dream exists, not the dreamer. He or she will kill her comfort zone to achieve the goal. Posted Aug 30 2018