Praying oneself and calling one's family to prayer is an instruction of the Quran: "Enjoin prayer upon your family and be steadfast in it" (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:132). Telling siblings or children is easy; telling parents is delicate, because Islam places them above everyone. Prothom Alo's religion desk drew on the Quran and classical scholars for these ways to do it.
Gentle words: speak to parents with humility, never as their teacher. The Quran says, "Speak to them a noble word" (Surah Al-Isra, 17:23). The Prophet Ibrahim addressed his father Azar again and again as "O my dear father" (Surah Maryam, 19:42-45). Imam al-Qurtubi wrote that even if parents refuse or grow angry, the child must stay quiet and respectful.
Your own example: people are moved more by deeds than words. When a child prays the five daily prayers and becomes more caring towards his parents, they will see for themselves what prayer has done. The Prophet said, "The best of good deeds is good character" (Musnad Ahmad, 8952).
Tactful reminders: saying it outright can wound a parent's pride. Answering the call to prayer aloud, reciting the Quran, or asking "Mother, wake me for Fajr" builds a sense of the prayer times in their minds too.
Prayer: guidance is in God's hands alone; the Prophet could not bring his beloved uncle Abu Talib to faith. So praying for one's parents in the last part of the night matters most, with the Quranic supplication, "My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and from my descendants" (Surah Ibrahim, 14:40). Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that late-night prayer works on hearts more than outward effort.
Patience: do not give up after once or twice, and never argue if they are annoyed or scold. Parents are to be obeyed in everything except a command to associate partners with God, and they are never to be treated badly: "Accompany them in this world with kindness" (Surah Luqman, 31:15). Love, service and prayer, not force or argument, draw their hearts to salah.
Photo: Prayer mat, LooiNL / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Source: Prothom Alo
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