Mothers Day

[ummtaalib]

Mothers Day

Composed by Maulana Bilal

We live in a world full of people struggling to improve their lifestyle. A world filled with greed, selfishness, and conceit, where every man is more than willing to give up all his values, faith, family and friends to acquire wealth. We find ourselves lost and stuck in the midst of people unable to comprehend death let alone life after death. To whom success is that of this world, where there is no creator to answer to nor lifestyle to adopt. A life similar to that of a dark road leading nowhere.

 

Allah (SWT) has blessed us with the light of iman and the lifestyle of Rasulullah sallahu alaihi wasallam as the road to success. A life of tranquility, simplicity and preparation for the never-ending life. In spite of our beliefs we fall prey to the culture and ways of those around us. Regardless of our resistance and our limited interaction with non-muslims, we find ourselves tightly grasped within the environment they have created. Watching their shows, listening to their stations, reading their newspapers, going to their stores are all means of inclination. Eventually their concerns, problems, occasions and celebration become ours. Mothers Day for instance is a celebration founded by a woman in America in 1914 and is now celebrated worldwide in different ways. In some countries children purchase gifts for their mothers while in others vice versa. Festivals are held, family dinners are arranged, all for the sake of appreciating mothers. Stores begin selling cards, flowers and gifts. Commercials are played on television and radio.

 

Advertisements are displayed on newspaper and billboards. Sales and discounts are found in stores. People who have walked out on their parents when they were young and dropped them in old folks home when they were old, utilize this annual opportunity to compensate for all the wrong they did to her. Unfortunately we are inspired by this spirit and want to adopt it as well.

 

On the other hand we have the beautiful teachings of our Prophet sallahu alaihi wasallam brought to us not in the twentieth century but fourteen hundred years ago. We learn that everyday is mothers day and that our success and “our entry into paradise lies at our mothers feet” (i.e. in her obedience): as mentioned by our dear prophet sallahu alaihi wasallam. (sahih muslim)

 

Even Allah (SWT) speaks very highly of parents and their status in the ayat below:

 

“And your lord has decreed that you worship none but him.

And be dutiful to your parents. If one 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 with terms of honour”

(surah 17:23)

 

We need to realize how much our parents (especially our mother) went through to bring us up. Unfortunately we are easily angered by their questions and frustrated at their comments. How sad it is that parents can repeat themselves over and over again to answer the questions of their young ones but yet when the parents become aged these same children of theirs whom they sacrificed everything for, can not tolerate repeating themselves even once at the parents request. How will we face the questions asked by Allah (SWT) on the day of judgment in regards to the treatment of our parents. In one hadith we learn that “a person who disrespects his parents Allah (SWT) begins punishing him in this very world” (mishkat). Another hadith informs us of “the prophet’s curse being upon someone who had the opportunity to serve his mother in her old age but did not take advantage of it” (mishkat).

 

On the other hand we are told that simple things like smiling at ones parents can be an act of worship and “for every glance of mercy a person makes towards his parents he receives the reward of an accepted hajj”. Someone asked even if he looks at them a hundred times a day? Rasulullah sallahu alaihi wasallam replied in the affirmative (mishkat).

 

In conclusion, Allah (SWT) has blessed us with the best of all religions and with a complete lifestyle which does not need any addition or subtraction. A person gifted with this pattern of life does not need to adopt any other culture of any type.

 

May Allah (SWT) save us from any type of punishment and give us all the opportunity to serve our parents while we can. Ameen.

 

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