Every Day is Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a celebration held in honour of the great contributions and sacrifices mothers have made for their families. Although the world celebrates this special day at different times of the year, in many parts of the globe, it is observed on the second Sunday of May. This includes countries such as the United States of America, China, Germany, Australia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and many others.

Though this great day is viewed by some as a commercial celebration, from an Islamic perspective, there is nothing wrong with joining others in honouring mothers. Philosophically speaking, for Muslims, every day is "Mother's Day." The position of a mother in a Muslim family is honoured and appreciated daily.

If a mother is pleased with her son or daughter, it means Allah is pleased with him or her. The opposite is true if an individual makes his or her mother feel sad by the way he or she has treated her.

Mistreating parents and raising a voice of disgust against them, particularly against one's mother, is considered a major sin in Islam:

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them even 'uff,' nor rebuke them, but speak to them gracious words." (Surah Al-Isra: 23)

In Islam, there is no excuse for a son not to take care of his mother, even after having a wife and children. Parents living in the midst of their children's families should be well-treated and cared for.

By giving good treatment to one's own parents, one is also setting an example for one's own children. It is generally believed-and often observed in life-that when a person reaches old age, his or her own children tend to treat them in a similar manner to how they themselves treated their parents.

From the perspectives of the Qur'an and Sunnah, mothers occupy a very esteemed position within a household. In highlighting the great pain and suffering mothers endure during pregnancy and childbirth, the Qur'an states:

"His mother carried him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years..." (Surah Luqman: 14)

"His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship..." (Surah al-Aḥqāf: 15)

"And be good to parents..." (Surah al-Nisāʾ: 36)

"And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree..." (Surah Maryam: 23)

The last reference refers to the mother of Nabi ʿĪsā (AS), who was left alone to endure the intense pain of labour without the assistance of anyone.

The Prophet of Islam, as a tribute to mothers, said:

"Paradise lies under the feet of mothers."

In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (AS) brought to our attention that, in Islam, the status of a mother in the family is three times higher than that of a father.

Compared to mothers in the classical era of the Ummah, modern-day mothers, particularly those living in cosmopolitan cities around the world, face tremendous stress and many challenges in maintaining a harmonious family life. Like their male counterparts, they have to go out and work to contribute to the family's economy.

Besides working outside the comfort of the home to earn a wage or salary, when she returns home, she still has to take care of the needs of her husband and children. God Almighty, as the Creator of mankind, has naturally designed women for a multitasking role within the household. As selfless individuals, Allah SWT has blessed mothers with the qualities of patience and perseverance in fulfilling the needs of their husbands and children.

Naturally, it is difficult for a husband to take care of his children in the absence of a mother figure in the house. Such a situation may arise either after a husband loses his wife through divorce or following her demise.

Her position in the household is central to both her husband and children. It is quite common to observe that when family members return home, they naturally look for the mother first. In most homes, the mother is the "anchor of the family."

She is the peacemaker in the household, particularly when tension arises between her husband and children. She should be rightly acclaimed as the saviour of the family.

In the Modern World

Since many parts of the globe have been ushered into modern living, a rapid transformation is taking place in which the countryside is increasingly being turned into cities. This global trend has significantly changed the lifestyle of many communities, including Muslims.

In relation to the modern setting we see around us, particularly in cities, Muslim scholars are debating the ethical question of whether it is acceptable to place one's parents under the care of a nursing home and visit them occasionally, once a week or a fortnight. Though such a practice is quite normal in Western society, in a Muslim society, it is generally considered preferable, where possible, to hire a maid to take care of one's parents when one is away at work to earn a living.

If that is not possible, then it may still be considered acceptable to place them in a nursing home while one is at work and to bring them back home on the way after work.

During their old age, parents normally do not seek a luxurious life, but rather the comfort of being close to their children. More often than not, they value simple acts of care, such as being fed and having meaningful conversations with their children.

To All Mothers Out There

For the countless sacrifices you make for your families, may your good name be honoured in this world and even more in the Hereafter. May Allah the Almighty, out of His infinite mercy, bless you with good health, abundant sustenance, and enduring happiness, ameen.

(The views expressed are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak from the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily reflect the views of IslamiCity).