OUR DUTIES TOWARDS OUR MOTHERS AND KEY EXAMPLES OF THE SAHABAH

Last week, we gave an insight into the role of the mother which is to nurture and structure the family and their virtues in Islam. We also briefly touched on our roles towards our mothers. Today, we aim to discuss the responsibilities and duties towards our beloved mothers in our weekly short article series ‘Chemical Bonding’ with a few examples of the sahabah.

A few things to ponder on…
What comes to mind between when you come across the three words children and role and mother?

How important is their contribution?

Children are the next generation and the future. They are welcomed into the family when they are born and are raised by their mother and father. When people think of the role of children towards their mother, worldly matters come into minds such as running and cleaning the household, paying the bills, cooking, gardening, going on day trips and other tasks.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 
“Allah has forbidden for you to be undutiful to your mothers.” 
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

However, the role of the children is not only taking care of the HOUSE to lighten the shoulders of our dear mothers and taking personal responsibilities but also taking care of the HOME.

There is a difference between HOUSE and HOME. A house has practical responsibilities that children hold whereas a home has ethical and moral responsibilities especially when our beloved mothers become older. It is an honour and there is an amazing feeling when performing each task towards our mothers who provided affection and love when we were young.

When we treat them with respect and listen to them and make time for them – it is an honour. We do not need to wait for Mother’s Day to acknowledge and care for our mothers - it’s a daily matter.

"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. "

(Quran, Surah Luqman, 31:14)

We are an advocate for our mothers where we need to provide care for them and protect them with love and care and even make them laugh and smile.

Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah have mercy upon them) narrates that a man came to Prophet (peace be upon him) to accept Islam and he had left his parents in a condition which they were crying because of him. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him, “Go back and make them laugh just as you have made them cry.”

However, when it comes to Islam, we should not listen if they say we should not pray.

"But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.”

(Quran, Surah Luqman, 31:15).

We have examples of Sahabah such as Saad bin Abi Waqaas and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah have mercy upon them) had similar conditions and still treated their mother respectfully and remained fulfilling their commandments to Allah (The Most High).
Thus, our responsibilities towards our mothers come naturally and have reasoning.

Next week, we will highlight the status and position of our mothers in Islam.