A mother in Islam has a valued, respected and dignified role. Her contribution is acknowledged and appreciated. It is the right of your mother that you should appreciate that she carried you (in her womb) the way nobody carries anybody, she fed you the fruits of her heart which nobody feeds anybody. She protected you (during pregnancy) with her ears, eyes, hands, legs, hair, limbs, with her whole being, gladly, cheerfully, and carefully; suffering patiently all the worries, pains, difficulties, and sorrows, Till the hand of Almighty Allah removed you from her and brought you into this world. Then she was most happy, feeding you forgetting her own hunger, clothing you even if she herself had no clothes, giving you milk and water not caring for her own thirst, keeping you in the shade, even if she had to suffer from the heat of the sun, giving you every comfort with her own hardships; lulling you to sleep while keeping herself awake. The foundation of the family is laid with the decision to marry, and the importance of the mother is evident in Islamic teachings beginning with marriage, conception and then child rearing. Islam advocates choosing of a wife based on moral characteristics. The Prophet says: “Marry into a decent family, for genes have effects”. He is also reported to have encouraged Muslims to marry virtuous women in order to have virtuous children. He has condemned those who look only for wealth and /or beauty when choosing a spouse. A mother commands great respect from her family. She is to be obeyed, and venerated. The Quranic verses which talk about the rights of parents include the mother. However the Holy Prophet (SAW) has enjoined goodness to the mother even before the father. A man once came for advice to him, as to who he should be good to. The Prophet (SAW) advised him to do good to his mother again. Three times the man asked, and three times the Prophet (SAW) told him to do good to his mother. At the fourth time, the Prophet (SAW) told him to do good to his father. This well-known story clearly illustrates the position of the mother in Islam. The famous Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) says: “Jannat lies under the feet of the mothers.”
We have enjoined man in respect of his parents – his mother bears him with fainting upon faintings, and his weaning takes two years – saying : “Be grateful to Me and to both your parents, to Me is the eternal coming.”(Quran) The mother is shown concern and consideration for her state. Allah does not abandon her, or reprove her by telling her that she is privileged to give birth to a Prophet. Although that was true, motherhood entails great difficulty, a fact recognized by the Qur’an.
A woman came to the Holy Prophet (SAW) and asked why going for Jihad was not obligatory on women. She was afraid that women were barred from achieving the great reward for those who fought and died in the way of the Almighty. The Prophet (SAW) explained to her that a woman was a fighter in Allah’s way from the time she became pregnant up to the time she delivered, and from the time she began breast-feeding till the time she stopped. If she died during that period, her position would be that of a martyr. To raise a virtuous child is one of the greatest good deeds. It continues to bring reward even after death. Allah says in Quran: “And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents – his mother bears him with fainting upon faintings, and his weaning takes two years – saying : “Be grateful to Me and to both your parents, to Me is the eternal coming.”(Quran) The mother is shown concern and consideration for her state. Allah does not abandon her, or reprove her by telling her that she is privileged to give birth to a Prophet. Although that was true, motherhood entails great difficulty, a fact recognized by the Qur’an.
