In several verses of the Quran, God makes clear that duty, kindness and gratitude towards parents is an essential part of Islam. However, women in Islam, particularly mothers, have been singled out for the upmost respect and devotion. God Himself tells of the hardships involved in motherhood.
“And we have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship…” (Quran 31:14)
HOW SHOULD WE TREAT OUR PARENTS?
In the time of Prophet Muhammad, a man asked permission to go on a military expedition. The Prophet asked the man if he had a mother, when he replied yes, Prophet Muhammad said, “Stay with her because Paradise lies beneath her feet”. (Ahmad, Al-Nasai) Paradise lies at the feet of mothers; but what exactly do these words mean? Simply, the gates of Paradise are open for those who cherish and respect their mothers.
He or she should never speak a harsh word to them or abuse them but instead should forgive them and ask Allah SWT to forgive them. This is what is meant by the “beautiful conduct” that Allah SWT has commanded regarding parents. Remember that doing good by parents takes precedence even over hijra and jihad! And, mother is additionally reserved a special feelings of reverence and dutifulness. This is because of the travails that she suffered during pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing. The Prophet (sAas) has particularly instructed that mothers have the right of the best conduct four times before fathers are.
Who is Most Worthy of Good Companionship?
In a hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad, a man came to the Prophet asking, ‘Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said, your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said, then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said, then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet replied, then your father. (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
As busy as our lives may be it is of great benefit to look back at the lives of the Prophets, and our righteous predecessors, to see how they treated their parents, particularly their mothers.
From this, we can see the special position that mothers have, which has been indicated by the Quran and Prophet’s Hadith. After worshiping Allah SWT alone, beautiful conduct to parents is the next most important duty for a Muslim. Also we can express our love and respect to our parents by sending beautiful Duas for them “My Lord, have mercy upon them both as they brought me up [when I was] small.”