…a father and mother endure the greatest troubles and
hardships for their children; and often when the children have reached the age
of maturity, the parents pass on to the other world. Rarely does it happen that
a father and mother in this world see the reward of the care and trouble they
have undergone for their children. Therefore, children, in return for this care
and trouble, must show forth charity and beneficence, and must implore pardon
and forgiveness for their parents. So you ought, in return for the love and
kindness shown you by your father, to give to the poor for his sake, with
greatest submission and humility implore pardon and remission of sins, and ask
for the supreme mercy.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Some Answered Questions’; The
Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)
