Imam Sadiq (a.s) was asked regarding God's statement: “Treat with kindness your parents” [The Holy Quran: Baqara 2:83], what is meant by “treat with kindness?” He said: “This means that you associate with them with kindness, and do not put them in a position to ask you for something which they need, even if they are rich. Did God not say: “By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love.” [The Holy Quran: Al-i-Imran 3:92] He then added: “Consider the Almighty God's statement: “Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them” [The Holy Quran: Bani Isra-il 17:23] This means that you should not insult them if they hurt you, and you should not treat them badly even if they hit you. God the Almighty said: “But address them in terms of honor.” [The Holy Quran: Bani Isra-il 17:23] This means that you should say: “May God forgive you” if they hit you. This is how you can address them in terms of honor. God also said: “And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility” [The Holy Quran: Bani Isra-il 17:24] This means that you should not stare at them, but look at them with kindness and sympathy, and do not raise your voice over theirs, and do not raise your hands above theirs, and do not walk ahead of them.”