Rectifying Undutifulness to Parents After the Death of One of Them

Question:
This is a young man who committed much undutifulness toward his parents, and then one of them died while he was imprisoned here. Is it possible for him to rectify his mistake now, after his regret?

Answer:
Yes, regarding undutifulness to his parents, he must repent. There is repentance for everything, even for shirk (associating partners with Allah). If one of his parents dies and he was undutiful to them, he should increase his supplication for them, asking for forgiveness and mercy. He should express regret for what has passed, and resolve not to return to it. Good will be recorded for him, if Allah wills. Repentance wipes out what came before it. Sincere repentance is necessary, along with regret for what has passed, and dutifulness to the parent who is still alive. He must be dutiful to the living parent, treat them with kindness, and seek forgiveness for them. For the one who has died, he should supplicate for their forgiveness and mercy. If Allah makes it easy, he should perform Hajj on their behalf, which counts for them. He should ask Allah to forgive them, and ask for himself that Allah pardon him for the undutifulness he committed. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) pardons His servants when they repent to Him and turn back to Him. He is the Great Pardoner, Glorified and Exalted is He.