A man was ordered by his mother or father or both to divorce his wife (he refused and) said that if he divorced his wife, it would be obligatory upon him to free one hundred slaves. Then that man came to Hazrat Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) while he was performing a long forenoon prayer, then he prayed between Zuhr and Asr, then that person asked him about this issue. He replied, "Fulfill your vow (free one hundred slaves) and obey your parents, because I heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say: 'The father is the middle gate of Paradise; now it is up to you whether you protect it or leave it.'"