Summary First
respect for mothers In Islam is a sacred duty rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah forbids even saying “uff” to parents, reminding us of a mother’s sacrifices. The Prophet ﷺ said three times: “Your mother” deserves the best care. Paradise truly lies beneath her blessed feet.
True Respect for Mothers in Islam – Learning Quran Guide in 2025
A mother is a wise and noble woman — the gentle breeze in a child’s life, who endures countless hardships for her children.
She sacrifices her dreams, buries her desires, and sets aside her own happiness so her children may smile. She often goes hungry but ensures her children are fed.
Yet, in today’s world, some young people forget the true meaning of respect for mothers in Islam — they insult their mothers with harsh words, mistreat them, and even drive them out of their own homes.
Such actions are not only a grave sin but also a direct violation of the divine command.
For such people, Allah Almighty has issued a stern warning in the Qur’an, reminding believers to honor their mothers, speak to them with kindness, and never cause them pain, not even with a word of displeasure:
“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. But if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge,
do not obey them, but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness…”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14–15 — Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Darussalam Publishers, 2000)
In another verse, Allah commands:
“Do not say to them ‘uff’ (a word of irritation), and do not repel them, but speak to them a noble word.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:23 — Tafsir al-Tabari, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2001)
Islam teaches that parents — especially mothers — must be treated with gentleness, respect, and honor.
The concept of respect for mothers in Islam is deeply rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah, where believers are commanded to never raise their voice, utter hurtful words, or show signs of annoyance toward their mothers.
Instead, a Muslim should speak softly, serve them with love, and hold them in the highest regard, knowing that Paradise lies beneath their feet.
Table of Contents
Why the Qur’an Forbids Even Saying “Uff” to Your Mother
Dear readers, you may wonder — Why does the Qur’an give such strong instructions about respecting one’s mother?
Why such emphasis that you must not even say the smallest word of irritation — “uff” — to her?
When this question arises in your mind, imagine your mother’s voice gently asking you
“My child, have you forgotten? It was I who turned my very blood into milk to feed you.
It was I who, when you wet the bed, would quietly shift you to the other side — and when you wet that side too, I would sleep in the damp place myself and place you against my chest to keep you warm.
It was I who carried you in my womb for nine long months, bearing the weight and enduring the pain without complaint, only so you could live and grow.”
This is why Allah Almighty commands in the Qur’an:
“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.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14 — Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Darussalam Publishers, 2000)
In Islam, a mother’s sacrifices are beyond measure. Her love is pure, unconditional, and lifelong — a gift no wealth can replace.
The principle of respect for mothers in Islam is rooted in the Qur’an’s command not to say even “uff” to her.
This is not merely a rule, but a divine reminder to honor her tears, her sleepless nights, and her endless devotion.
Respect for Mothers in Islam — A Call for True Love & Reflection
O you who claim to love your mothers — look deep into your own hearts! How much genuine love do we truly hold for our mothers today?
They have planted countless flowers of care, mercy, and affection in the garden of our hearts, yet how do we repay them?
Far too often, we repay their sacrifices with disobedience, harsh words, or neglect.
Many trample upon the very flowers of love they once nurtured for us. And yet — a mother never curses her child.
Even if she utters a word of pain, it does not come from her heart. Instead, she turns to the Lord Almighty and prays:
“O my Lord! Grant my beloved child, my flesh and blood, my light of the eyes, a life of guidance, peace, and comfort.”
Allah commands in the Qur’an that gratitude be shown to Him and to parents:
“Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.”
(Surah Luqman, 31:14 — Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Darussalam Publishers, 2000)
And in another verse, the Lord Most High decrees:
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you show excellence to your parents.”
(Surah Al-Isra, 17:23 — Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Darussalam Publishers, 2000)
In Islam, showing true love to your mother is not about empty words — it is about heartfelt obedience, respect, and kindness that reflects the gratitude we owe to the one who carried us, nurtured us, and never stopped praying for us.
The concept of respect for mothers in Islam emphasizes that this love must be demonstrated through actions, sincere care, and lifelong honor.
The Elevated Status of Mothers in Islam – A Prophetic Teaching
A man once came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! Who among people is most deserving of my good treatment?”
A man once came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and asked:
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Your mother.”The man asked again:
“Then who?”
“Your mother.”He asked a third time:
“Then who?”
“Your mother.”Only on the fourth time did the Prophet ﷺ say:
“Then your father.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5971; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2548)
This powerful narration highlights that the status of the mother is three times greater than that of the father in terms of kindness and good treatment.
The reason is clear: the mother endures pregnancy, childbirth, sleepless nights, and endless sacrifices — earning the honor that Paradise lies beneath her feet.
Yet, in today’s world, some children verbally abuse their mothers, raise their hands against them, and even drive them out of their own homes. This is not only a betrayal of Islamic values but a direct path to divine loss.
The Prophet ﷺ warned sternly in another narration:
“May he be humiliated, may he be humiliated, may he be humiliated — the one who finds his parents, one or both of them, in old age, and does not enter Paradise.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2551)
In Islam, honoring the mother is not optional; it is a core command from the Prophet ﷺ and a direct means to Paradise.
The principle of respect for mothers in Islam teaches that mistreating her is not merely bad manners, but a grave sin that risks losing the mercy of Allah in both worlds.
A Mother’s Forgiveness – A Key to Dying with Faith
O those who mistreat their parents! Be warned — a person who angers their mother may be deprived of the blessing of reciting the Kalimah Shahadah at the time of death.
It is narrated that Abdullah ibn Salam (RA) was on his deathbed and wished to see the Messenger of Allah ﷺ one last time. The Prophet ﷺ came to his bedside and said:
“O Abdullah, recite (the testimony of faith).”
However, Abdullah (RA) could not utter the words. The Prophet ﷺ repeated this request three times, yet he remained unable to speak.
The Prophet ﷺ then asked his wife about his deeds during his lifetime. She replied:
“By Allah! Since the day I married him, I have never seen him miss a single prayer behind you, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ. However… his mother is displeased with him.”
The Prophet ﷺ immediately sent for his mother and said to her:
“O noble lady! If you forgive your son, your right will be upon me.”
The elderly mother then declared:
“O Messenger of Allah! I make you and your companions witnesses that I have forgiven him.”
The moment she forgave him, the Prophet ﷺ turned to Abdullah (RA) and instructed him to recite the Kalimah Shahadah. As soon as he uttered it, his soul departed peacefully.
After the funeral prayer, the Prophet ﷺ addressed the companions:
“O people! Know that whoever mistreats his mother will not be granted the ability to recite the testimony of faith at the time of death.”
Do we not all desire Paradise? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers.” (Musnad al-Shihab, Hadith 119)
If we truly seek Paradise, we must serve our mothers in the same devoted way they cared for us in childhood — with love, patience, and gratitude.
conclusion
In Islam, the respect for mothers in Islam is a sacred duty rooted in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Allah commands believers not to utter even “uff” to parents (Surah Al-Isra, 17:23, Tafsir al-Tabari, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2001),
reminding us of a mother’s sacrifices — pregnancy, sleepless nights, and endless care. The Prophet ﷺ said three times: “Your mother” deserves the best treatment before anyone else (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5971).
From my own experience, I have seen mothers silently endure pain yet pray for their children’s success. True respect for mothers is shown through lifelong love, obedience, and gratitude, for Paradise lies beneath her feet.
