What is the status of the following narration?
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: نومك على السرير برا بوالديك تضحكهما، ويضحكانك أفضل من جهادك بالسيف في سبيل الله عز وجل
Answer
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma)
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 7452)
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has declared a narrator weak. However, he states that the text is supported through corroborating narrations, wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) encouraged some Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) to take care of their parents, rather than participate in Jihad.
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has reported some of these corroborating narrations, prior to reporting the Hadith in question.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“You laying on your bed in obedience to your parents, you amusing them and they amusing you is better that fighting with a sword in the path of Allah ‘Azza Wa Jalla”
And a great reward for serving one’s parents is :
After Allah Ta’ala and his Rasul (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam), there is no one who has more rights on us than our parents.
Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that a man came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: “I wish to participate in Jihad, but I cannot afford it.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) enquired if any of his parents were alive, to which he said: “Yes! My mother is alive”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Show Allah how you serve her. If you do so (duly) you will be like a: Haji, a Mu’tamir (one doing ‘Umrah) and a Mujahid (One striving in Allah’s way).”
(Abu Ya’la, Hadith:2760, and Tabarani with good chains.-Targhib, vol.3, pg. 315 & Mukhtasar Ithaf, Hadith:5721)
The above Hadith proves that one who cares for his/her parents, will indeed receive the rewards of Haj, ‘Umrah and striving in Allah way.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.