Furthermore, even in Islam, the status of mother is far greater than a woman who is childless. This is because the mother’s position is interpreted as being three times greater than that of the fathers position. This is verified in the following hadith reported by Al-Bukhari
“A man came to the Prophet (s) and asked him: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who among the people s worthy of my good company?’ The prophet said, ‘Your mother’. The man asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet (s) again said, ‘Your mother’. The man asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet again said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said, ‘Then your father.’”
This not only shows that a mother is far more respected than other women, but also, far superior to a father. A woman, only as a woman, is seen only equal to man, but certainly not greater, if not slightly inferior in some circumstances.
Furthermore, the Quran also emphasises and makes people realise that their mothers bore them in pain, and that they should respect and be grateful to their mothers because of that:
“And we have enjoined on men (to be good) to his parents: in weakness upon weakness did his mother bear him...”
Partly because of this, motherhood is regarded as a most noble and honourable calling in Islamic society. Women have been given the role of motherhood because Allah has blessed them with the maternal instinct enables them to take care of children. This is supported in the Quran:
“Moreover, the Quran has a special recommendation for good treatment of mothers.”
Mothers have great respect and honour in Islam
“Fear God, in whose name you plead with another and honour the mothers who ore you, God is ever watching” (Quran)
The main role of a man in Islam to the family is earning the income and acting as a leader, whilst a females main role is to rear her children in a loving and moral atmosphere. This is also means being responsible for the religious and moral teachings within the home. She makes the children learn orally the basic tenets of the Islam and the Adab or etiquette of Islam. This clearly shows as the mother is raising the children who can be the leaders of the society or contribute a lot to the society in the future. Therefore, it is important that these children are grown up in the most respectful and Islamic way. By keeping the family united and strong, the Muslim mother will ensure the survival of moral society and thus, the values of the Islamic way of life. Hence, a mother has a very important role and is the reason why she has a high status in Islam.
On the other hand, others believe that women do have a high status in Islam generally and not just as a mother. Women are also treated with respect when they are the wives of someone. The prophet states:
“Among my followers, the best of men are those who are best to their wives…” (Hadith)
This shows that for a Muslim woman, is not only a great honour of being a mother but also being a wife. For her to fulfil her duties of obeying her husband, serving him meals and bringing him comfort to his life is not oppressive but an honour.
Women have a high status just as men do, they do not have to become mothers to have this equality with men. It shows this in the Quran:
“And they (the women) have rights similar and equal to those (of men) over them in equity” (Quran)
Notice that the Quran does not state that a ‘mother’ has equal right to men, but it clearly states that ‘a woman’, be it a daughter, sister, wife or grandma, she has equal rights to a man. In Islam, all women, should be honoured. In the Quran Allah says:
“I command you to be kind and considerate to women” (Quran)
Moreover, some people believe that women, being a mother and staying at home is a traditional role, and it is the job that is perceived as a low status job. This is not the case in Islam, in fact, Islam sees motherhood as one of the best jobs for a woman, as the mother is the educator of the child. Ghulam Sarwar explains that Muslim women are viewed by many as prisoners in the four walls of a house and is a non-person. He also states that they have no rights under a dominion of a man. This is not the case in Islam, the Muslim woman is treated with kindness, respect, great honour and is protected by her husband or father who is the supporter and maintainer and not someone who is superior to her or dominates her. This clearly shows that women in Islam are generally given a high status. Women as mothers are not only given a high degree of honour, but also as wives, daughters and sisters.
“Men and women have the same spirit, there is no superiority spiritual sense in between”
The prophet also clearly emphasises the reward in growing up a female child. He stated that
“Anyone who has two or more daughters and did not bury or insult them, brought them up properly and did not favour his sons over his daughters, he and I will be like this…” At that moment he put up two fingers side by side as a metaphor to show how close that father would be to the Prophet (s) himself.
In conclusion this clearly shows that a having a daughter is such a great admiration, and those who grow them up well have great respect. Hence all women have high status, their ideas and opinions are always welcomed. They have rights economically, socially and politically, just as men do. Although a mothers role is greatly admired in Islam and she has many rights over her children, her daughter or sister have similar rights over her as she is no greater than them in terms of being a true slave of Allah.
