Overall meaning : Allah, Exalted be He, says, revealing the lofty status of parents: We have enjoined man to honour his parents and show kindness to them.
He then reveals the reason behind this, concentrating specifically on the efforts the mother exerts and the sacrifices she makes, which necessitates children to be good to their mothers: His mother carries him in her womb with weakness, heaviness and discomfort, and he is not weaned before he is two years of age. We said: Give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me will you be returned, and I will repay you according to your deeds.
Showing the limits of obedience to parents, He states: If your parents ascribe partners to Allah and they press you to worship besides Me any deities whose worship I have not sanctioned, do not obey them; but even then keep company with them considerately and treat them honourably.
The Almighty then stresses the necessity of following the path of true followers: Follow in the footsteps of those who repent and sincerely turn to Me. To Me will you all be returned and I will inform you of the things you have done and repay you according to your actions.