A Mother's Love: Allah's Precious Gift

A mother's love is unlike any other—it is selfless, unconditional, and enduring. Before we speak our first word, take our first breath or open our eyes to the world, we are already surrounded by her care. Our Mother. There are countless blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, but nothing can be compared to the love of mothers.

From the moment a child is conceived, a mother's journey is filled with challenges that often go unnoticed. She willingly bears physical pain, emotional changes and countless sleepless nights so that another life can flourish. Yet despite these hardships, her love only grows stronger.

Interestingly, both Islam and modern science highlight the importance of mother. Research shows the extraordinary changes a woman's body undergoes during pregnancy, while the Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ honoured mothers more than fourteen centuries ago. Although they approach the subject differently, both arrive at the same conclusion: Motherhood deserves immense respect.

The Miracle of the Mother's Womb

Every human life begins as a single fertilized cell. Inside the mother's womb, that tiny cell gradually develops into a living human being. Over approximately forty weeks, an extraordinary transformation takes place.

The womb provides the perfect environment for life to grow. Through the placenta, the baby receives enough oxygen and nutrients while waste products are removed. A mother's blood volume increases significantly to supply both herself and her unborn child. Her heart pumps harder, her lungs work more efficiently, and her hormones continuously adjust to support the developing baby. Even her bones, muscles and immune system undergo changes to protect the new life growing within her.

A mind blowing yet wholesome scientific discovery is Fetal microchimerism, a phenomenon in which some of the baby's cells remain in the mother's body for years and sometimes even decades, after childbirth. These cells have been found in organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, and brain, creating a lifelong biological connection between mother and child. It is a beautiful reminder that motherhood leaves a lasting imprint, not only emotionally but even at the cellular level.

Unconditional Love: A Bond Honoured by Allah

Have you ever seen your mother eat before making sure everyone else has? Ever seen someone tear up with happiness simply because you shared your achievements with them? Ever wondered how someone could carry you inside them for nine months, knowing it would be painful, yet still choose to do it with love because they believed that every sacrifice, every pain, every tear was WORTH IT?

That is unconditional love.

The Qur'an acknowledges the immense hardships mothers face.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ كُرْهًۭا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًۭا ۖ

“We have enjoined man to be kind to his parents. In pain did his mother bear him and in pain did she give birth to him.” (Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:15)

In another verse, Allah reminds us:

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍۢ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ فِى عَامَيْنِ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَيْكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

“We have commanded people to be good to their parents: their mothers carried them, with strain upon strain, and it takes two years to wean them. Give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is your ultimate return. (Surah Luqman 31:14)”

These verses strongly show how motherhood is built of patience, sacrifice and unconditional love. Every stage from pregnancy to childbirth and nurturing a child is acknowledged by Allah Himself.

A well-known hadith about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further elevated the status of mothers through his teachings. A man once came to him and asked,

"Who among the people is most deserving of my good companionship?"

The Prophet ﷺ replied,

"Your mother."

The man asked again.

"Your mother."

He asked a third time.

"Your mother."

Only then did the Prophet ﷺ say,

"Then your father."

(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

This powerful narration demonstrates that while both parents deserve love and respect, the importance of a mother is so immense that she is mentioned three times before the father.

A mother's love reflects one of Allah's beautiful attributes: Mercy. She forgives when we make mistakes, comforts us when we fail, celebrates our successes like no one else and continues to pray for us even when we forget to pray for ourselves. Her love asks nothing in return, yet it gives endlessly. No wonder the paradise lay in the feet of a mother.

Our Responsibility Towards Our Mothers.

We have seen the essence of motherhood, the love, sacrifices, bond and more. But we as the child of that mother have responsibilities towards her though she expects for us just to be “Akhlaaq wale aulaad jo chaar logon ko accha kare aur Jannat mile” (Children with good character, who do good to people and attain paradise) Too sweet of her, no?

Islam clearly teaches us our duties towards our mothers - to speak gently, show kindness, obey our parents in matters that are pleasing to Allah and never treat them with disrespect.

Allah says:

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا

“Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say no word that shows impatience with them, and do not be harsh with them, but speak to them respectfully.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:23)

This verse reminds us that gratitude towards our parents is closely linked with gratitude towards Allah. No matter how old we become, we can never truly repay the countless sacrifices our mothers made for us. However, we can strive to make them proud through our character, our kindness and our sincere love.

For those whose mothers are no longer with them, love does not end with death. We can continue to honour them by making du'a for them, giving charity on their behalf, maintaining family ties and always remembering them.

Life is uncertain. Let us not wait for special occasions to express our appreciation. A warm embrace, a kind word, a helping hand or a heartfelt prayer can mean more than we realise. Let us go hug our mothers and express our love!

A mother's love is among the greatest signs of Allah's mercy on earth. May we cherish this priceless gift while we still have it, fulfil our responsibilities with sincerity, give sukoon to our mothers and pray that Allah blesses every mother with good health, forgiveness and the highest ranks of Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.

Author: Aaliya Maryam.T.A, Member, GIO Jamalia.

Date: 07 August 2026.

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