Omanis are very unique when it comes to kindness to parents. Their acts towards their parents proceed from a sense of self-binding duty and obligations. The action of obligating themselves to this noble distinguishing quality is in fact an inherited characteristic passed from one generation to another.
This particular Omani trait is nurtured by two factors. The first factor is due to the fact that the Omani society has inherited and long-held established and customary traditions and patterns of behaviour, while the other is fostered by the noble and righteous Islamic religion.
Despite all the development Oman has witnessed over the last fifty years or so, the Omanis have been able to maintain a unique cultural continuity in social attitudes and customs. Unaffected much by nowadays influences, Omanis still hold dear their parents and may do anything but not to be ungrateful, disrespectful, or neglectful towards them.
A visitor to Oman would not be surprised nor would they be stricken with wonder or amazement to see Omanis travelling more than 400 kilometres every weekend for no other reason but to visit his old mother or father or both and spend the weekend with them. If you want to know an Omani, just look at the company they keep with their parents.
Omanis, no matter how old they are, must obey their parents in all matters unless it involves refusal or neglect to obey Allah. This stems from a genuine Islamic teaching which is succinctly expressed in Surah Luqman (31:14) "And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents.” Even in cases where Allah commanded people not to obey their parents if they urge them earnestly and pressingly towards associating partners with Allah or anything contrary to faith, they still have to treat them kindly in worldly matters as Allah says in Surah Luqman (31:15), "But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness”.
Islam exhorts Muslims to honour parents with strong affection and care, considering them worthy of high regard. Through adherence to such Islamic values, the way Omanis treat their parents is marked by an appearance of thoughtful and sympathetic regard, refinement and grace along with a lack of roughness or uncultivated vulgarity.
When treating their parents, Omanis truly have a keen sense of what to do or say to them. Through this, they maintain good relations with parents by being gentle to them while avoiding any act that offends them. Refraining from disrespect or contempt, Omanis speak politely to parents, as mentioned in Surah Al Isra (17:24): "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.'" That is why Omanis never show anger to their parents, nor do they raise their voice or speak harshly to them. As the holy month of Ramadhan is about to depart, may Allah bless us to display the highest standards of humility in our treatment of parents and grant us the ability to follow and adhere to our noble Islamic teachings, asserting our firm belief in Allah by upholding morals and interactions in all our acts and behaviours.
The writer is Dean of Al Zahra College for Women
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