Status of Mother and position in Islam has great importance. She is the one who takes care of her children and their little to big needs. She thinks for her kids and sacrifices her desires and comfort for them. The religion of Islam states about the importance of obeying and respecting mother very clearly.
There are many events or cases from the days of Prophet (SAWW) which can guide the Muslims about the mother’s position in Islam.
Once, a man came to the Prophet (SAWW), and said, “O, Prophet of Allah! I am young and strong, and ready for the service and action, and desire to go to the battle-front for the success of Islam, but my mother doesn’t let me to leave her and go to the war.”
The Prophet (SAWW) said: “Go and stay with your mother. I swear to the God Who has chosen me as the prophet that the spiritual reward which you receive for serving her even one night and making her happy with your presence, is greater than a one year long holy war.”
This shows that serving mother and taking her care is preferred over jehad. This is a great significance attached to the status of mother in Islam. Also, the reward of serving the mother is very great. This gives us a thought to ponder that how we treat our mothers; if not nicely, then we should reflect.
Another incident or case is that once a man came to the Prophet (SAWW) and asked: “O Prophet of Allah (SAWW)! Guide me, I should be good to whom in order to benefit completely from my good deed?”
He (SAWW) replied, “Be good to your mother.” He then asked, “Next to her?”
The Prophet (SAWW) again said: “Be good to your mother.” He asked again: “And next to her?”
The Prophet (SAWW) replied again, “To your mother.”
The man asked again, “Who is the other person I should be good with?”
“To your father,” Prophet (SAWW) said.
This case shows that the right of mother to be good to her is three times greater than that of father.
“Your heaven lies under the feet of your mother.” (Ahmad, Nasai)
Once a man was circumambulating the Ka’bah while carrying his mother. He asked his mother, “Have I repaid you?” At that time Ibn Omar (a companion of the Prophet may Allah be pleased with him) was passing by and, he said on that question, “No, not even for one of her moans (i.e. one of the moans of labour during delivery and so on).”
The status of mother in Islam from the above mentioned ahadees is very clear. The care and respect should be given to mother. The religion of Islam gives mother a respectable status and position; Islam elevated the position of mother who was not given that status in pre-Islamic days. Women were treated badly in those days, then Islam gave honourable status to women in different ways like by giving mother great importance. Thus, we all should respect and take care of our mothers and shouldn’t say “uff” to them.
