A Mothers' Day Message

Today is Mothers' Day. 

But in fact, yesterday was also Mothers' Day. In fact, so is tomorrow. And the day after tomorrow. And the day after the day after tomorrow. And next week. And next month. And next 4 months, etc. etc.

If we want to choose a special day to be extraordinarily nice and treat our mothers with the best of love and care, Alhamdulillah - all Praise and Thanks to Allah - we have 365 days in the solar calendar to choose from!

In fact, kindness, respect and love to parents is such a mandatory aspect of Islamic Shari'ah and such a beloved deed to Allah, to the extent that Allah Commanded it immediately after commanding that we worship Him Alone - and the Prophet Muhamad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) described it as the most righteous and beloved deed to Allah, second only to prayer early on time.

So in reality, we need to utilize all 365 days.

Ayuhal Muslimun!

What to implement "Shari'ah"? Start here, by striving to be the best son/daughter – in the same way that our parents strove to be the best mother/father to us.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radhiAllahu anh) asked the Prophet Muhammad :

“Which Deed is most beloved to Allah?”

The Prophet said, “The Prayer (early) at its times”

“And then?”

“To be good and dutiful to your parents”

(Narrated by Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet Muhammad said:

‏"‏ رغم أنف، ثم رغم أنف، ثم رغم أنف من أدرك أبويه عند الكبر، أحدهما أو كليهما، فلم يدخل الجنة‏"‏

"May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced!

May he be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, attain old age during his life time, and he does not enter Jannah (by being dutiful to them)".

(Narrated by Muslim)

A person came to the Prophet and asked, "Who among people is most deserving of my best treatment?"

He said, "Your mother".

He again asked, ''Who next?"

"Your mother", the Prophet replied again.

He asked, "Who next?"

He (the Prophet) said again, "Your mother."

He again asked, "Then who?" Thereupon he said, "Then your father."

(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ﴿٢٣﴾ وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُلْ رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.

And that you treat your parents with the best (of treatment).

If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them; but address them in terms of honour.

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and (pray to Allah, and) say : "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small."

(Surah Isra’ 17:23-24)