Mother's love for her children is a gift of God who has endowed her not only with love and affection but also with mercy which is shared by both parents. A Mother gives without waiting for any reward in return. The future of humanity is in her lap. The Qur'an frequently refers to the merciful behavior of mothers. The Prophet announced that the rivers of the Garden flow under mothers' feet.

GIVE THANKS TO ME FIRST AND THEN TO YOUR PARENTS

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. (31/14)

We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months…. (46/15)

Praise is due first to God who has brought us to this world and then to our parents who have been instrumental in giving us birth. Along with the Almighty, parents also are to be thanked and praised.

A child needs care once it is borne. It is in need of maternal affection. The woman who has born her child in her womb for nine months must also nurse her. The baby shall suck at his or her mother's breast. Parents are responsible for the maintenance and education of their progeny. A mother feeds her child before herself.

BE KIND TO YOUR PARENTS

"(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable. (19/32)

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. (And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." (17/23-24)

The child shall honor and respect his/her parents who have been instrumental in their coming to the world. The son or the daughter shall, then, obey his/her parents and try not to hurt them. They will succor them when they become adults. Even though they may chide and chastise their children, the children shall remain faithful to their parents and act in due decorum.

WHEN TO DISOBEY PARENTS?

"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did." (31/15)

If parents wish that their children act against the commandments of God, the children shall not do as they are told; they shall not kill unjustly their fellow beings, no shall commit theft or attribute partners to God. God's commandments overrule the parents' orders.

Even though the parents are atheists, the children shall show them reverence while following what their conscience dictates.

(See 6/74 and 19/42-48)

PROPHETS' MOTHERS

So We sent this inspiration to the mother of Moses: "Suckle (thy child), but when thou hast fears about him, cast him into the river, but fear not nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee, and We shall make him one of Our apostles." Then the people of Pharaoh picked him up (from the river): (It was intended) that (Moses) should be to them an adversary and a cause of sorrow: for Pharaoh and Haman and (all) their hosts were men of sin. The wife of Pharaoh said: "(Here is) joy of the eye, for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be use to us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not (what they were doing)! But there came to be a void in the heart of the mother of Moses: She was going almost to disclose his (case), had We not strengthened her heart (with faith), so that she might remain a (firm) believer. And she said to the sister of (Moses), "Follow him" so she (the sister) watched him in the character of a stranger. And they knew not. And we ordained that he refused suck at first, until (His sister came up and) said: "Shall I point out to you the people of a house that will nourish and bring him up for you and be sincerely attached to him?"... Thus did We restore him to his mother, that her eye might be comforted, that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true: but most of them do not understand. (28/7-13)

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. (17/23)

Although bringing up of children is the collective duty of both parents, the mother assumes greater responsibility. This is stressed in the Qur'an as illustrated in the bringing up of Moses and Christ. The father of the Prophet had died before he was born and his mother source of kindness and mercy passed away when he was six. Mothers' role in the education and bringing up of their children is greater as can be seen. Mother's protective love is absolutely necessary for a healthy bringing up of children