How is the power of parents' prayers mentioned in the Quran?

In the Holy Quran, the status and standing of parents are held in such high esteem that one of the most significant divine commands is to show kindness and benevolence towards them. Although the Quran does not explicitly use a phrase like 'the power of parents' prayers,' it implicitly conveys this concept through numerous emphases on the exalted position of parents, the importance of being dutiful to them, and general commands regarding the power and acceptance of supplications. This inference is derived from combining several Quranic principles that will be discussed in detail below. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the significance of parents' prayers is illuminated by Allah's unequivocal command to be kind to them. In Surah Al-Isra, verses 23 and 24, Allah states: "And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word." And then in verse 24, it continues: "And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they nurtured me when I was small.'" These verses place kindness to parents immediately after the command to worship Allah alone, indicating their immense status. It not only prohibits saying 'uff' (a word of annoyance) but also commands speaking kindly and treating them with humility and mercy. This degree of emphasis on respecting and being benevolent to parents implies that whatever originates from them, especially a prayer born of genuine goodwill and selfless love, receives special attention and care from Allah. This kindness also includes praying for them, but implicitly, it also grants a special status to their prayers for their children, as a relationship built on mercy and benevolence serves as a powerful channel for connecting with Allah. Secondly, the Quran emphasizes the general importance and absolute power of Dua (supplication). In Surah Ghafir, verse 60, Allah says: "And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'" This verse demonstrates that Allah is near to His servants, hears their prayers, and responds to them. Now, if we consider this general principle and combine it with the special status the Quran grants to parents, we conclude that the prayers of parents, whose hearts are filled with love and concern for their children, and whom Allah Himself has commanded to be treated with kindness, will be answered even more readily. This sincere supplication, emanating from the deepest human emotions, is, from the Quran's perspective, given special divine attention because of its roots in pure human nature and its connection to divine rights. Thirdly, the Quran refers to the sacrifices and hardships endured by parents, especially the mother, in raising and nurturing their children. In Surah Luqman, verse 14, we read: "And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination." This verse highlights the difficulties of pregnancy and breastfeeding and places the command to be grateful to Allah and to parents side by side. These selfless efforts and countless sacrifices bestow a special value and dignity upon parents, which gives their prayers before Allah an amplified credibility. When parents pray for their children with a broken heart, out of love and compassion, this prayer is, in fact, the epitome of altruism and sacrifice that Allah will never disregard. Fourthly, the Quran speaks in various forms about the prayers of prophets and righteous individuals for their future generations and children. While these prayers are not directly from parents for children in the general sense, they demonstrate that the prayers of righteous individuals for their descendants are valued by Allah. For instance, the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (peace be upon him) for his offspring to be prayerful (Surah Ibrahim, verse 40) or the prayer of Prophet Zakariya (Zechariah) (peace be upon him) for a righteous child (Surah Maryam, verse 5). Although these examples do not directly address the 'power of parents' prayers,' they illustrate the importance of benevolent prayers for children and generations within the Quran's intellectual framework. This reaffirms that a parent's prayer for their child, given the divinely ordained status of parents, will be particularly accepted. In summary, although the explicit phrase 'the power of parents' prayers' is not found in the Quran, from the totality of verses related to the status of parents (their elevated position, the obligation of kindness and benevolence towards them, the mention of the difficulties of raising children), and verses related to the power and acceptance of prayer, one can confidently conclude that the benevolent prayer of parents for their children is highly effective and accepted by Allah. This prayer is the result of a relationship that Allah has deemed sacred and blessed. This relationship is built on mercy, love, and sacrifice, and therefore, any prayer arising from such a pure source will, by Allah's permission, have profound effects on the lives of children—whether in warding off calamities, attracting good, or guiding them to success in this world and the hereafter. This also encourages children to show greater kindness and respect towards their parents so that they may expose themselves to these blessed prayers and benefit from them. Thus, it can be said that the Quran, by emphasizing the exalted status of parents and the general principle of prayer acceptance, implicitly and very strongly indicates the power and influence of parents' prayers.