The right of the mother to be treated nicely is three times greater than that of the father, for she provides three services to her children which cannot be possibly provided by the father. The mother bears the burden of the child during pregnancy, stands the pains of delivery, and then feeds the child from her breasts.
A man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said,
-O Messenger of God! 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 (pbuh) said:
-Then your mother.
The man further asked:
-Then who?
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
-Then your mother.
The man asked again:
-Then who?
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
-Then your father. ( Hadith, Bukhari, Muslim).
Allah(God) said: "Allah(God) has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! bestow on them your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood'." (Quran: 17/23-24)
Aisha narrates: A woman came to me. She had two girls with her. She wanted something. However, I did not have anything except one date. I gave it to her. The woman divided it into two pieces and shared it between her daughters; nothing was left for her. They left. Later the Prophet(pbuh) came. When I told him about this situation, he said, "Whoever befriends and treats their daughters well like this, the girls will be a shield for them against the fire" ( Hadith, Buhari, "Zakat" 10).
In this respect, Abu Abdur-Rahmaan Abdullaah Ibn Masood narrated the following: I asked the Prophet(pbuh):
- Which deed is the most beloved to Allah(God)?
He replied:
- Prayers performed on time.
I then asked:
- Which one is next?
He replied:
- Goodness to parents.
( Hadith, Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
( pbuh = peace be upon him )
