Honouring one’s parents is a duty on all children, male and female, and there is no difference between them in this regard, because of the general meaning of the evidence which enjoins honouring one’s parents and treating them well, such as the verses in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning),

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’” [al-Isra’ 17:23, 24]

“Worship Allaah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents…” [al-Nisa’ 4:36]

Al-Bukhaari (527) and Muslim narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, 'I asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), "Which deed is best?" He said, “Prayer offered on time.” I said, "Then what?" He said, “Honouring one’s parents.” I said: "Then what?" He said: “Jihad for the sake of Allaah.”

Al-Bukhaari (5971) and Muslim (2548) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, A man came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said,

"Which of the people is most deserving of my good companionship?"

He said, “Your mother.” He said, "Then who?"

He said, “Then your mother.” He said, "Then who?"

He said, “Then your mother.” He said, "Then who?" He said: “Then your father.”

This evidence and other texts are general in meaning and enjoin children, whether male or female, to honour their parents, but some kinds of honouring the parents may be easier for males than females, such as visiting the parents regularly, because a woman’s husband may prevent her from visiting her parents or visiting them very often.

If the wife wants to visit her parents and serve her mother, but she cannot do that because of her husband, then she will be rewarded for this desire and good intention. The saheeh Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to do a good deed and is eager to do it will be rewarded like one who did it, if he is unable to do it.

Al-Bukhaari (4423) narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came back from the campaign to Tabook and when he drew close to Madeenah he said, “In Madeenah there are people who, whenever you travelled any distance or crossed any valley, were with you.” They said, "O Messenger of Allaah, even though they are in Madeenah?" He said, “Even though they are in Madeenah, because they were kept there by excuses.”

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on al-Bukhaari,

This indicates that a man may attain by means of his intention that which the one who does the deed may attain, if he is prevented from acting by some excuse.

Al-Tirmidhi (2325) and Ibn Majaah (4228) narrated from Abu Kabshah al-Anmaari that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say,

“Four people are making the most of this world: A man to whom Allaah gives wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord with regard to the way in which he disposes of his wealth, and he uses it to uphold ties of kinship and he realizes that Allaah has rights over it. This man occupies the highest status. And a man to whom Allaah has given knowledge but did not give him wealth, so he is sincere in his intention when he says, ‘If I had wealth I would have done the same as So and so is doing.’ So he will rewarded according to his intention and the reward of both of them is the same…”(Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.)

May Allaah help us all to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. Aameen.