A dear Companion, Mu'awiyah Bin Heedah presented himself before Allah's Prophet (pbuh). He sat respectfully in the presence of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He was hopeful about success in the Hereafter. He hankered after good. Very enthusiastic, he posed the following question to Allah's Messenger:
"O Messenger of Allah (pbuh) ! Who is the most deserving of kind treatment?"
With the face beaming, Allah's Messenger said:
"Your mother."
The Companion asked, "Who next (i.e. who is next in worth and grade)?"
The Messenger (pbuh) again said: "Your mother."
The Companion again asked showing the utmost respect: "Who is next in grade after her?"
The reply still was: "Your mother."
The Companion ventured once again: "O Messenger of Allah! Who is next?"
Then the Messenger (pbuh) said, "Your father."
(Jami'ah Trimzi, Al-Birr-o-Was-Silah, hadith: 1897; Sunan Abi Dawood, Al-Adab, hadith: 5139)
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This is how the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) explained to his Ummah (Muslim Community) in clear terms about the worth, importance and rights of the mother. The question arises whether we are among those people who are considerate towards the rights due to our mothers.