As Islam is a great religion, it laid the foundations that ensure integrity of the Islamic community, that is why Islam has empowered and honored woman more than any other religion, as she has an important role in the Muslim community.
Furthermore, woman has a valued and dignified role when she becomes a mother, as the mother is the backbone of the family, and the family is the backbone of the community, and from here comes the importance of the mother in Islam. That’s beside her role in raising her children, which affects the future of the nation.
And there are many verses in the Holy Quran and many hadiths that emphasize the burdens that a mother bears, starting from the difficulties of pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding. And this is enough for her to be loved, honored, and respected.
Allah Almighty has mentioned two mothers in the Holy Quran by name; Maryam; the mother of the Messenger of Allah, Isa –peace be upon him, and mother of the Messenger of Allah Musa –peace be upon him. Showing His mercy and gentleness on them.
As Allah Almighty said about Maryam: {Eat, and drink, and be comforted}. Surat Mariam, 26.
And He said about mother of Musa : {When your sister walked up and said “shall I lead you to someone who will take care of him(?), then We restored you to your mother. That she might be comforted and not grieve},Surat Taha, 40.
**See how Allah has supreme mercy on mothers!!! Praise Allah.
And Allah Almighty also mentioned a mother in general in the Holy Quran, and emphasized the mercy, the respect and the filial piety that should be given to a mother in Islam, showing the honor of a mother in Islam.
As He said in His Holly Book: {Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship anyone except for Him, and that kindness (should be addressed) to parents, if they reach old age at yours, one of them or both of them, so do not say to them “Fie!” and do not chide them, but speak to them noble words. And lower the wings of humility to them, out of mercy, and say “My Lord! Have mercy on them, just as they reared me when I was a child}, Surat Al-Israa, 24.
And His Almighty said: {We have enjoined man to concern his parents; his mother carried him through weakness upon weakness, and his weaning takes two years, give thanks to Me and to your parents, the return is to Me}, Surat Luqman, 14.
The Mother in Hadith:
Hadith also honored a mother and emphasized her respect and obedience, and the great position of a mother in Islam.
And if we place all the words that were written or spoken about the position of a mother in all religions, of all times, and in all languages, they will not be able to equal these great words! This description of a mother in Islam means that the gates of Heavens are opened for those who obey and respect their mothers.
Another situation describes the position of a mother in Islam as Abu Huraira reported that(a man came to Prophet Muhammad –peace and blessings be upon him- and said: Who among the people is most deserving of a fine treatment from my hands?The Prophet said: Your mother, he ” the man” said: And then? the Prophet said: Your mother, he said: And then? the Prophet again said: Your mother, he asked again: And then? the Prophet replied: Your father).
Cases that indicate the holy position of a mother in Islam:
Glorifying the position of a mother in Islam, Islam has regarded the commands and the prohibitions of a mother as an obligatory things to follow in some cases, as long as it is not a sin. Let’s talk about some of these cases.
If a recommendation by Allah such as the voluntary fasting comes a cross the mother’s satisfaction of a Muslim, he has to obey his mother, and not to observe a fast. Furthermore, if he disobeys his mother, he will not get the reward of his fast, and he is considered to commit a sin as he disobeyed his mother, but this is not applicable in the case of obligatory fasting as in the month of Ramadan.
And in another case shows the honoring of a mother in Islam, if a Muslim wants to fight in jihad ( fight in a war for the sake of Allah), and his mother does not allow him to go, so he can abstain from participation in jihad, only if his absence will not affect Muslims during the war, and in this case he will not considered a sinner, as fleeing from jihad –in other cases- is a great sin.
And this case actually happened in the era of Prophet –peace and blessings be upon him- as it was narrated from Mu’awiyah Ibn Juahimah As-Sulami, that Juhimah came to the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and said: (O Messenger of Allah! I want to go out and fight (in Jihad) and I have come to ask your advice.” He said: “Do you have a mother? he said: Yes. He said:then stay with her, for Paradise is beneath her feet).
Presence of the mother is a reason for forgiveness:
Finally, we should always remember that presence of our mothers is a reason for Allah to forgive us, and this is a part of His honoring for a mother in Islam, as when a Muslim’s mother dies, a caller from the heavens says (o, son of Adam!, the one who you were forgiven for her sake died, so do good deed to be forgiven).
