Hawzah News Agency- In remarks addressing the “human duty toward the past and the future within the family,” Ayatollah Javadi Amoli said human beings stand between two horizons—heritage and destiny—and are required to consciously attend to both.
He referred to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) as a clear Qur’anic model, noting that Prophet Abraham recognized righteous children such as Ismail and Ishaq (peace be upon them) as among the greatest divine blessings. Their receptivity to revelation and divine inspiration, he said, reflected God’s special grace and Abraham’s elevated spiritual rank, which led him to express gratitude to God even in old age:
«اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي وَهَبَ لِي عَلَى الْكِبَرِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ»
“All praise belongs to Allah, who has granted me Ismail and Ishaq in old age.”
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli explained that in family matters, a person must neither neglect the past nor disregard the future. On one hand, individuals are obliged to honor their parents and ancestors, acknowledge their sacrifices, and seek forgiveness and mercy for them through prayer and righteous deeds. He noted that any good action performed by a person can serve as a source of reward for parents, teachers, and all those who played a role in their upbringing.
On the other hand, he said, human beings carry a serious responsibility toward the upbringing and moral formation of their children and future generations, so that society may continue to benefit from virtue and righteousness.
He emphasized that Prophet Abraham’s supplications clearly demonstrate this balanced outlook. Abraham prayed for forgiveness for those who had raised and guided him:
«رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ»
“Our Lord, forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the reckoning is established.”
At the same time, Abraham did not overlook the future, praying for the righteousness and spiritual responsibility of his descendants:
«رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُمْ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ»
“Our Lord, so that they may establish prayer, make the hearts of people incline toward them and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks.”
And in another supplication:
«رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ»
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [also] from my offspring. Our Lord, accept my supplication.”
Ayatollah Javadi Amoli concluded that human beings are entrusted with understanding both their roots and their responsibilities ahead, adding that attentiveness to parents and commitment to the moral education of future generations are essential to preserving the spiritual integrity of the family and society.
(Tafsir Tasnim, Vol. 44, p. 164)
Your Comment