By Aruj Sipra

Image credit: 123 RF Stock Photos

“An ounce of Mother is worth a pound of Clergy.”  (Spanish proverb)

When I read this quotation I wondered what made the writer compare mothers to priests? Then I closed my eyes and started to contemplate an intense hardship that a woman suffers in the pregnancy, delivery, nursing and rearing of her child – A complete role for a task in hand that none other can perform more selflessly than a mother. It is this character that I believe must have influenced the writer and helped him envisage the importance of a mother in a role that is much bigger and more sacred than the role of a saint. Whatever urged the writer to say this beautiful quote, it was extremely apt.

Mother – how do you define her? For me she is an epitome of love, sacrifice, care, compassion…a never ending list of doting attributes. Allah SWT, the ultimate creator of every single soul in the universe, knowing the role of mother on earth, infused all these qualities in her soul. A mother is an instinctive philosopher and her heart forever goes walking around outside her body in the form of her children. Allah has made honoring ones mother a virtue.

There are verses in the Holy Qur’an and numerous Ahadith that emphasize the burdens that a mother carries and the respect that should be accorded to her.

“And we have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship and she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty (30) months.

[The Holy Quran, Chapter 46, Verse 15]

The Holy Qur’an guides us through divine examples of good mothers who are an immense source of inspiration when it comes to having faith in Allah.

“And We inspired the mother of Moses, (saying): `suckle him (Moses), but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back for you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers.”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter 28, Verse 7]

 “And Mary, the daughter of `Imran who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (the sleeve of her shirt or her garment) through Our “Ruh” (i.e. Gabriel), and she testified to the truth of the Words of her Lord (believed in the Words of Allah “Be! and he was; that is Jesus-son of Mary;-as a Messenger of Allah), and (also believed in) His Scriptures, and she was of the Qanitun (i.e. obedient to Allah).

[The Holy Quran, Chapter 66, Verse 12]

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) commanded believers to respect their mothers.

“A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet (PBUH) said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father.”

[Bukhari, Muslim]

It is related from Talhah ibn Muâwiyah as-Salamî (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:

“I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I want to perform Jihad in the way of Allah.” He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, “Is your mother alive?” I replied, “Yes.” The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said: “Cling to her feet, because Paradise is there.”

[At-Tabarânî)]

So what exactly is Mothers Day? According to Wikipedia, Mothers Day is as a celebration of honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated once a year, the exact date varies around the world, but it is usually in May/Spring.

People celebrate one day to give honor to the most important person in their lives! Just one day! Mothers should be celebrated and honored 24/7 a week and 365 days a year. We should be aware of our mother’s importance with every single breath we take. They are the ones who make our lives magical and meaningful after Allah. They bring us to this world, feed us, teach us how to read and write, walk and talk, help us grow, prosper, and reach greater heights. We should show our gratitude to our mothers by always being kind and gentle to them and look after them as they have protected us through our childhood and tender years. Our love for our mothers should be as water and sunshine is to saplings that grows into mighty trees.

I can feel the pain and vacuum in the life of people whose mothers are not alive today as I lost my mother when I was just 22 years old. There are always moments in the day when I crave for her company, a word, a hug or just her kind gaze.  Those of us who are, Alhamdulillah, still blessed with the presence of their mothers should count their blessings twice and take this opportunity to earn a place in paradise by simply loving and looking after their mothers.

To end with a quote from the Holy Qur’an that we should recite in all our prayers and whenever, wherever we think of our mothers.

 Rabbir ham huma kama rabbayani sagheera

My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood

[The Holy Quran, Chapter 17, Verse 24]

About the author:

Aruj Sipra is the Community Manager at MuslimMoms.ca

Do you celebrate Mothers Day? Or did you get any gifts from kids for the day? How has the day been? We would love to hear from you! Share your day with other Muslim Moms on our forums.