Honoring Mother and Guardian

📖Sunan Ibn Majah 3657
Ibn Salamah As-Sulami narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “I enjoin each one to honor his mother, I enjoin each one to honor his mother, I enjoin each one to honor his mother (three times), I enjoin each one to honor his guardian who is taking care of him, even if he is causing him some annoyance.”

Explanation and Lessons from This Hadith

This hadith highlights the supreme status of mothers in Islam and the duty of children to honor and respect them. The Prophet (ﷺ) repeating the instruction three times emphasizes its significance, demonstrating that a mother’s role is unmatched in a child’s life.

Key Lessons and Islamic Context

1️⃣ The Elevated Status of Mothers

• Islam recognizes the immense sacrifices of mothers in bearing, nurturing, and raising children. The Prophet (ﷺ) giving precedence to mothers over all other relationships signifies their unparalleled rank.
• The Qur’an affirms this in:
  📖Surah Luqman (31:14)
  “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
• The mention of the hardships of pregnancy and breastfeeding underscores why mothers deserve the utmost respect and care.

2️⃣ Obligation of Obedience to Parents

• Honoring parents, especially the mother, is a key principle in Islam. The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes this:
  📖Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24)
  “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them [even] ‘uff,’ and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.”
• This verse teaches that even a word of disrespect, like “uff” (a sigh of annoyance), is prohibited, reinforcing the duty of kindness towards parents.

3️⃣ Recognizing Maternal Sacrifices

• The hadith serves as a reminder to appreciate a mother’s endless love and selfless care. Islam teaches that serving and supporting one’s mother is among the greatest forms of worship.
• A companion once asked the Prophet (ﷺ):
  “O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is most deserving of my good companionship?”
  He replied, “Your mother.”
  The man asked, “Then who?”
  The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Your mother.”
  The man asked again, “Then who?”
  He (ﷺ) replied, “Your mother.”
  The man then asked, “Then who?”
  The Prophet (ﷺ) finally said, “Your father.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5971, Sahih Muslim 2548)

4️⃣ Respecting Guardians and Caretakers

• The hadith extends the command beyond mothers, instructing believers to honor their guardians, even if they cause inconvenience.
• This aligns with the Qur’anic teaching:
  📖Surah An-Nisa (4:36)
  “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be good to parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the distant neighbor, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are arrogant and boastful.”
• This verse reminds believers to extend kindness and gratitude to those who care for them, whether parents, guardians, or others.

5️⃣ Patience and Understanding in Relationships

• The hadith acknowledges that caretakers may sometimes cause annoyance, yet it stresses patience and respectful behavior.
• The Qur’an advises endurance in difficult relationships:
  📖Surah Al-‘Asr (103:3)
  “Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”