The Role of the Mother (Part 2)

:tebyan.net

2012/02/17

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Respect in the Hereafter

The famous Hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) says: Paradise lies under the feet of the mothers. A woman came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and asked why going for Jihad was not obligatory on women. She was afraid that women were barred from achieving the great reward for those who fought and died in the way of the Almighty. The Prophet (PBUH) explained to her that a woman was a fighter in Allah’s way from the time she became pregnant up to the time she delivered, and from the time she began breast-feeding till the time she stopped. If she died during that period, her position would be that of a martyr. To raise a virtuous child is one of the greatest good deeds. It continues to bring reward even after death.

Holy Qur’an on the Mother

Allah says in Surah Luqhman:

And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents - his mother bears him with fainting upon faintings, and his weaning takes two years - saying: Be grateful to Me and to both your parents, to Me is the eternal coming. (31:14)

And in Surah Ahqaf He says:

And We have enjoined on man doing of good to his parents; with troubles did his mother bear him and with troubles did she bring him forth; and the bearing and the weaning of him was thirty months. (46:15) In both the above verses, although both parents are mentioned, the mother is singled out as she bears a greater responsibility and ultimately a greater reward.

Two mothers are mentioned by name in the Qur’an. When Maryam, the mother of Hazrat Isa (Jesus) (A.S) suffered the pangs of childbirth, she wished she was dead. She was all alone and worried about what was about to happen to her. At that time Allah consoled her and told her not to grieve. She was provided with fresh dates and water. She was also told to fast for three days by abstaining from talk, and Allah made the baby talk to prove that he was a miraculous baby (19:23-26).

Another mother mentioned by the Qur’an is the mother of Prophet Musa (A.S). When she was told to put her baby in the river, she was given an assurance that the baby would be returned to her. Allah knows the love of the mother, and knows it is difficult to give away one’s child. When the baby was picked up by Firawnas wife, he refused to suck the milk of any foster mother. Prophet Musa’s sister then suggested that they try her mother. Mother and baby unite, and Allah’s promise was fulfilled. (Surah TaHa 37-40, the Nrration 7-13)