Verse: And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him…
Allah -the Almighty- states: (And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them 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).
In this verse, Allah -Exalted be He- commands Muslims to worship Him alone, emphasizing the importance of treating parents with kindness. Believers are encouraged to interact with their mothers and fathers in a respectful manner, refraining from even expressing annoyance—this being the slightest form of negative expression. They should avoid any rude actions and instead, engage in kind and honorable speech, demonstrating esteem and reverence towards their parents as instructed by Allah -the Almighty-.
Verse: And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents…
Allah -the Almighty- declares: (And We have enjoined upon man, [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination).
In this verse, Allah -the Almighty- emphasizes the significance of being good to one’s parents and showing compassion toward them. He highlights the difficulties endured by mothers during pregnancy and childbirth: (His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship). They endure substantial pain and effort for nine months of pregnancy and twenty-one months of nursing, totaling thirty months. Once a child matures and reaches the age of forty, they are encouraged to express gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon them and their parents and to perform righteous deeds that please Allah -the Almighty-, seeking reform for their descendants and affirming their faith in Him.
Verse: And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents; his mother carried him, with hardship upon hardship…
Allah -the Almighty- states: (And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents; his mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination).
This verse reiterates the command for good treatment of parents, particularly emphasizing the struggles faced by mothers during pregnancy and upbringing. The phrase (His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship) signifies the various forms of suffering and effort a mother endures. The two-year span for nursing indicates the care a mother provides during this critical phase.
Verse: On the Day a man will flee from his brother and his mother and his father…
Allah -the Almighty- mentions: (On the Day a man will flee from his brother and his mother and his father and his wife and his children; for every man, that Day, will be a matter adequate for him).
In this verse, Allah -the Almighty- describes the Day of Judgment as a time when individuals will abandon their nearest relatives, including their siblings, parents, spouses, and children. The enormity and severity of that Day will cause people to flee from their loved ones out of fear and concern, highlighting the significance of accountability and the gravity of the events unfolding.
Verse: Forbidden to you are your mothers…
Allah -the Almighty- states: (Prohibited to you are your mothers and your daughters and your sisters and your paternal aunts and your maternal aunts and the daughters of your brother and the daughters of your sister and your mothers who nursed you and your sisters through nursing and the mothers of your wives and your stepdaughters under your guardianship from among the wives you have gone in unto, but if you have not gone in unto them then there is no sin upon you; and the wives of your sons who are from your own loins, and that you may combine two sisters, except for what has already occurred. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful).
This verse provides detailed guidance on whom it is forbidden to marry, listing various categories of relatives, starting with mothers, daughters, sisters, and extending to aunts and stepdaughters. It also clarifies the prohibition against marrying two sisters simultaneously, as well as the connections established through nursing or marriage. The verse reflects the importance of family ties and the guidelines established to maintain family integrity.
Verse: Those who pronounce-Zihar from their wives are not their mothers…
Allah -the Almighty- declares: (Those who pronounce Zihar from their wives are not their mothers; their mothers are none but those who gave birth to them. And indeed, they are saying an abhorrent statement and a falsehood. And indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful).
This verse addresses the issue of Zihar, where a husband declares his wife to be like his mother as a means of divorce. This practice, prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia, was rebuked by Allah -the Almighty- who clarified that such statements do not establish a maternal relationship. Instead, the only true mother is the one who has given birth, emphasizing the sanctity of family relationships and the importance of truthfulness.
Verse: And Allah has not made for a man two hearts in his body, nor has He made your wives whom you declare to be like your mothers…
Allah -the Almighty- asserts: (Allah has not made for a man two hearts in his body, nor has He made your wives whom you declare to be like your mothers your mothers. And He has not made your adopted sons your sons. That is your saying with your mouths; but Allah says the truth, and He guides to the path).
This verse emphasizes that Allah -the Almighty- does not give anyone two hearts, meaning that a person should have a singular focus on truthfulness. It also reiterates that the wives declared as equivalent to mothers do not become mothers due to this declaration, and it clarifies that adopted children do not acquire the same rights as biological offspring. The verse underscores the importance of sincerity and the proper definition of familial roles.
Verse: And if he has no child, and he is inherited by his parents, then for his mother is a third…
(Allah instructs you concerning your children. For the male is what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are only females more than two, for them is two-thirds of what he leaves; and if there is only one, for her is half. And for his parents, each of them has a sixth of what he leaves if he has a child. But if he has no child and his parents inherit him, then for his mother is a third; and if he has siblings, then for his mother is a sixth. After any bequest he makes or any debt. Your parents and your children; you do not know which of them is nearer to you in benefit. This is an ordinance from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise).
This verse contains several important guidelines regarding inheritance:
- Allah -the Almighty- advises that a male’s share of inheritance should be twice that of a female to rectify the injustices of pre-Islamic customs that favored males.
- Furthermore, He clarifies that if a deceased individual leaves behind more than two daughters, they collectively receive two-thirds of the inheritance. However, if there is only one daughter, she receives half the estate.
- If the deceased individual’s parents are still alive, both receive a sixth of the estate. If there are no children, the mother inherits a third, while the remainder is allocated to the father.
- In cases where siblings also exist, the mother’s share is reduced to a sixth. This adjustment comes after any instructions made by the deceased regarding disposition of their estate or settling debts. Moreover, the verse emphasizes the importance of equitable consideration for parents and children, in chapters of inheritance.
- Ultimately, Allah provides an organized structure for inheritance, distinguishing between genders, and promoting fairness and justice in matters of familial financial duties.
Verse: And the heart of the mother of Moses became empty…
(And the heart of the mother of Moses became empty. She was about to disclose it had We not bound upon her heart that she would be among the believers).
In this verse, Allah -the Almighty- reflects on the emotional state of the mother of Moses -peace be upon him- when she placed her son in the river following his birth. She experienced profound emptiness, filled solely with concern for Moses’ safety. However, Allah -the Almighty- assures her by affirming that He strengthened her heart, granting her perseverance and trust in His wisdom regarding her son’s fate.
Verse: When We inspired to your mother what We inspired…
(When We inspired to your mother what We inspired: “Suckle him, and when you fear for him, cast him into the river, and let the river throw him onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him. And I bestowed upon you love from Me and that you might be reared under My eye).
This verse narrates the divine inspiration given to Moses’ mother while she was nursing him and feared for his life due to Pharaoh’s decree. Allah instructed her to place him in a box and cast it into the river, from which he would be retrieved by Pharaoh—his adversary. Allah emphasizes His care and love for Moses by stating that he would be raised with His watchful eye and purpose.
Verse: O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste…
(O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste).
Here, Allah -the Almighty- reveals to Mary after she gave birth to Jesus -peace be upon him- that she should not feel guilty or ashamed in front of her people. Despite their disbelief and strong accusations against her, He reassures her of her family’s honor and standing, particularly emphasizing her parents’ virtuous natures.
Summary:
The article presents a selection of verses from the Quran that reference mothers within various contexts, accompanied by straightforward interpretations for each verse. A total of eleven verses on motherhood were discussed to underscore their significance and the emphasis placed on parental rights and respect in Islam.