Mothers hold a special place in Islam, with various hadiths emphasizing their significance and the duties of children toward them. Each hadith provides a profound understanding of a mother’s role and the honour Islam places upon her. From earning Jannah (Heaven) through serving one’s mother to the importance of treating her with kindness even after her death, these hadiths convey the beauty of a mother’s position. In this context, we will explore different hadiths about mothers, focusing on their meanings in English, Urdu, and Arabic, with a detailed explanation of each.
Your Heaven Lies Under the Feet of Your Mother
English Version
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother” (Ahmad, Nasai).
Urdu Version
نبی اکرم ﷺ نے فرمایا: “تمہاری جنت تمہاری ماں کے قدموں کے نیچے ہے۔” (احمد، نسائی)
Arabic Version
قال النبي محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم: “الجنة تحت أقدام الأمهات” (أحمد، نسائي).
Explanation and Important Lessons
This hadith teaches us that our path to Jannah, or Heaven, is through obedience and service to our Mother. This message highlights the immense honour given to mothers in Islam. It suggests that the kindness, love, and respect we show toward our mothers play a crucial role in attaining Allah’s blessings. The Prophet (PBUH) emphasizes that serving one’s mother is one of the most important deeds a believer can perform.
Reference
This hadith is found in the collections of Ahmad and Nasai.
The Worth of a Mother Three Times More
English Version
A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who among the people is most worthy of my good companionship?’ The Prophet said: ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: ‘Your mother.’ The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: ‘Your mother.’ The man asked one last time, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet finally said: ‘Your father.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)
Urdu Version
ایک آدمی نبی اکرم ﷺ کے پاس آیا اور پوچھا، “یا رسول اللہ! لوگوں میں سے کون میرے اچھے سلوک کا سب سے زیادہ حقدار ہے؟” آپ ﷺ نے فرمایا: “تمہاری ماں۔” آدمی نے پوچھا، “پھر کون؟” آپ ﷺ نے فرمایا: “تمہاری ماں۔” پھر پوچھا، “پھر کون؟” آپ ﷺ نے فرمایا: “تمہاری ماں۔” آدمی نے پھر پوچھا، “پھر کون؟” نبی ﷺ نے فرمایا: “تمہارے والد۔” (بخاری، مسلم)
Arabic Version
جاء رجل إلى النبي محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وسأله: “من أحق الناس بحسن صحبتي؟” قال النبي: “أمك.” قال الرجل: “ثم من؟” قال: “أمك.” قال: “ثم من؟” قال: “أمك.” قال: “ثم من؟” قال: “أبوك.” (البخاري، مسلم)
Explanation and Important Lessons
This hadith emphasizes that a mother holds a higher status than a father, as the Prophet (PBUH) mentions the mother three times before mentioning the father. The repeated mention of the mother highlights her enduring sacrifices, from giving birth to raising a child. It serves as a reminder of the debt of gratitude children owe to their mothers and underscores the respect and love they must continuously show her.
Reference
This hadith is narrated in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Rights of Parents After Death
English Version
Abu Usaid Saidi said: We were once sitting with the Prophet when a man from the tribe of Salmah came and said to him: O Messenger of Allah! Do my parents have rights over me even after they have died? The Prophet replied: Yes. You must pray to Allah to bless them with His forgiveness and mercy, fulfil the promises they made to anyone, and respect their relations and friends. (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah)
Urdu Version
ابو اسید ساعدی نے کہا: ہم ایک بار نبی اکرم ﷺ کے ساتھ بیٹھے تھے جب قبیلہ سلمہ کا ایک آدمی آیا اور اس نے کہا: “یا رسول اللہ! کیا میرے والدین کی مجھ پر موت کے بعد بھی کوئی حقوق ہیں؟” نبی ﷺ نے فرمایا: “ہاں۔ تمہیں ان کے لئے اللہ سے مغفرت اور رحمت کی دعا کرنی چاہئے، ان کے وعدوں کو پورا کرنا چاہئے اور ان کے رشتہ داروں اور دوستوں کی عزت کرنی چاہئے۔” (ابو داود، ابن ماجہ)
Arabic Version
قال أبو أسيد الساعدي: “كنا جالسين مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فجاء رجل من قبيلة سلمة وقال: “يا رسول الله! هل لوالديّ حقوق عليّ حتى بعد وفاتهما؟” فقال النبي: “نعم. يجب أن تدعو لهما بالمغفرة والرحمة، وتفي بوعودهما، وتحترم أقاربهما وأصدقائهما.” (أبو داود، ابن ماجه)
Explanation and Important Lessons
This hadith teaches us that the obligations toward our parents do not end with their death. Even after they pass away, we must continue to honour them through prayers for their forgiveness, fulfilling any commitments they made, and maintaining ties with their family and friends. It shows that in Islam, our duty to our parents is a lifelong responsibility, even beyond their physical presence.
Reference
This hadith is found in the collections of Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.
The Major Sins Include Disobedience to Parents
English Version
Abdullah ibn Amr related that the Messenger of Allah said: “The major sins are to believe that Allah has partners, to disobey one’s parents, to commit murder, and to bear false witness.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Urdu Version
عبداللہ بن عمرو سے روایت ہے کہ رسول اللہ ﷺ نے فرمایا: “بڑے گناہوں میں اللہ کے ساتھ شرک کرنا، والدین کی نافرمانی کرنا، قتل کرنا اور جھوٹی گواہی دینا شامل ہیں۔” (بخاری، مسلم)
Arabic Version
عن عبدالله بن عمرو أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “من الكبائر أن تشرك بالله، وتعصي والديك، وتقتل النفس، وتشهد بالزور.” (البخاري، مسلم)
Explanation and Important Lessons
This hadith lists disobedience to parents as one of the gravest sins in Islam, alongside associating partners with Allah, murder, and false testimony. This categorization highlights the serious consequences of neglecting one’s duties toward their parents and serves as a stern reminder to always be respectful and obedient.
Reference
This hadith is reported in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Being Good to a Non-Muslim Mother
English Version
It is narrated by Asma bint Abu Bakr that during the treaty of Hudaibiyah, her mother, who was then pagan, came to see her from Makkah. Asma informed the Messenger of Allah of her arrival and also that she needed help. He said: “Be good to your mother.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Urdu Version
حضرت اسماء بنت ابی بکر رضی اللہ عنہما سے روایت ہے کہ صلح حدیبیہ کے دوران ان کی ماں، جو اس وقت مشرکہ تھیں، مکہ سے ان سے ملنے آئیں۔ حضرت اسماء نے نبی اکرم ﷺ کو ان کی آمد کی اطلاع دی اور یہ بھی بتایا کہ ان کو مدد کی ضرورت ہے۔ آپ ﷺ نے فرمایا: “اپنی ماں کے ساتھ بھلائی کرو۔” (بخاری، مسلم)
Arabic Version
عن أسماء بنت أبي بكر رضي الله عنهما قالت: “أثناء صلح الحديبية، جاءت أمي التي كانت مشركة لزيارتي من مكة. فأخبرت رسول الله بقدومها وأنها بحاجة للمساعدة. فقال النبي: “أحسني إلى أمك.” (البخاري، مسلم)
Explanation and Important Lessons
This hadith emphasizes that kindness toward one’s mother is obligatory, even if she is not a Muslim. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed Asma to treat her non-Muslim mother with respect and generosity. This teaches that the bond of a mother and child transcends religious boundaries, and goodness to one’s mother is a universal principle in Islam.
Reference
This hadith is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Conclusion
The hadiths about mothers convey deep messages of respect, love, and obedience. Whether it is through showing kindness during their lives or continuing to honour them after their death, these teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining strong bonds with our mothers. Each hadith we explored serves as a guide for how to treat our mothers with the love and care they deserve, highlighting that our mothers are key to achieving both worldly and spiritual success.