Eman Sakina

In Islam, the status of mothers is highly esteemed and emphasized. The teachings of Islam highlight the importance of honouring and respecting one's mother. The Quran, which is the holy book of Islam, emphasizes the significance of kindness and obedience towards parents, with particular emphasis on the mother.

Friday Musings

For instance, in Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24), it is stated:

"And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."

Prophet Muhammad emphasized the elevated status of mothers, stating, "Paradise lies under the feet of mothers." This profound statement encapsulates the spiritual significance attributed to mothers in Islam, portraying their feet as a metaphorical gateway to eternal bliss.

Mothers play a multifaceted role in Islam, encompassing nurturing, guidance, and spiritual upbringing. From the moment of conception, mothers are entrusted with the sacred task of nurturing and safeguarding the precious gift of life. The Quran acknowledges the pains of childbirth and the hardships endured by mothers, stating, "And We have enjoined upon man goodness to his parents. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship" (Quran 46:15).

Furthermore, mothers are the primary educators and moral exemplars in Islam, instilling values of compassion, integrity, and piety in their children. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of obedience and kindness to mothers, stating, "Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother" in another hadith.

Islam enjoins society to uphold the rights and dignity of mothers, providing them with the support, recognition, and protection they deserve. The Islamic legal system affords mothers rights to maintenance, inheritance, and guardianship, safeguarding their welfare and autonomy within familial and societal structures.

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the worthiest of my good companionship? The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘Your mother.’ The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: ‘Then your mother.’ The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet repeated: ‘Then your mother.’ The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: ‘Then your father’.

The importance of the mother over the father is highlighted in this Hadith by repeating “your mother” three times and then saying “your father” once in response to the man’s question.

The rights that have been determined in Islam for a mother, and some examples of which have already been mentioned, are due to the pains she has borne in developing the life and body of her offspring, so that after tolerating such back-breaking pains, she may offer a well-bred human being to the society.

ALSO READ: Danish Rinzu's Biopic on Kashmir’s legendary singer Raj Begum is ready

Naturally, only such a mother, who performs her motherly duties perfectly, and brings up a useful and competent individual with her overall efforts, can enjoy these rights.