Noble Hadiths About Honoring One’s Mother
Numerous hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlight the esteemed place Islam grants to mothers and the significance of their role. Among these hadiths are the following:
- A man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my best companionship?” He replied: “Your mother.” The man then asked: “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Your mother.” The man continued, “Then who?” The Prophet replied once more: “Your mother.” Finally, the man asked, “Then who?” The Prophet concluded: “Then your father.”
- Talha ibn Ma’awiya al-Sulami reported that he approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I want to engage in jihad for the sake of Allah.” The Prophet asked, “Is your mother alive?” To which Talha replied: “Yes.” The Prophet said: “Stay close to her, for there lies Paradise.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Indeed, Allah advises you regarding your mothers, then advises you regarding your fathers, and then your closest relatives.”
- A small anecdote from Asma bint Abu Bakr: “My mother visited me while she was still a polytheist during the Treaty of Quraysh. I sought the Prophet’s advice and asked him: ‘O Messenger of Allah, my mother has come to me desiring something, should I maintain ties with her?’ He replied: ‘Yes, maintain ties with your mother.’
- Buraidah ibn al-Husayb al-Aslami narrated that a woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I had given charity on behalf of my mother, but she has passed away, and now the charity has reverted back to me.” The Prophet said: “Your reward is assured, and the charity returns to you.” She then asked: “O Messenger of Allah, my mother passed away without performing Hajj; should I perform Hajj on her behalf?” He responded: “Yes, perform Hajj for her.” She added: “My mother died with a month of fasting owed; should I fast on her behalf?” The Prophet affirmed: “Yes, fast for her.”
- According to Sa’d ibn Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “My mother passed away while having made a vow. I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he instructed me to fulfill it on her behalf.”
Honorable Hadiths About Honoring Parents
Many hadiths emphasize the importance of honoring one’s parents and highlight the virtue associated with it. These include:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” The answer included: “Offering the prayer at its proper time, honoring parents, and jihad in the way of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.”
- He also said: “The pleasure of the Lord lies in the pleasure of the parent, and the displeasure of the Lord lies in the displeasure of the parent.”
- The Prophet stated: “The parent is the middle gateway to Paradise. Preserve this gateway or lose it.”
- Abdullah ibn Amr reported that a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Should I go to jihad?” The Prophet replied: “Do you have parents?” The man said: “Yes.” The Prophet then said: “Then exert your efforts in serving them.”
Noble Hadiths Warning Against Disobedience to Parents
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cautioned against disobeying parents and illustrated the dire consequences in many hadiths, including:
- He said: “Two sins that Allah hastens for their perpetrators in this world are oppression and disobedience to parents.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “No disobedient child, a sourpuss, or a habitual drunkard will enter Paradise.”
- He remarked: “May he be humbled! May he be humbled! May he be humbled!” It was asked, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “The one who passes the age of his parents (living) and does not enter Paradise.”
- The Prophet further emphasized: “There are three supplications that are certainly answered: the prayer of a parent, the prayer of a traveler, and the prayer of the oppressed.”
- He also proclaimed: “Shall I not inform you of the gravest of sins?” He repeated it three times before the companions affirmed: “Indeed, O Messenger of Allah.” He stated: “Associating partners with Allah and disobeying parents.” He then sat up, as he had reclined, and added: “And speaking falsehood,” repeating it until the companions wished he would cease.