and value her. If your mother or father are displeased with you, seek their forgiveness immediately. A mother’s rights must be fulfilled, irrespective of what she is like.  

Walking on hot stones for six miles

A Companion رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُ once said to the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, “There were stones so hot on the path that if pieces of meat were placed on them, they would have cooked! I carried my mother on my shoulders and walked on these stones for six miles. Have I fulfilled all the rights of my mother?”

The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Perhaps you have made up for one contraction she felt when giving birth to you.”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! This Hadith teaches us to treat our parents, especially our mothers, with kindness and respect, and to always obey them. However, you are not compelled to obey your parents if they tell you to sin. For example, if they restrict you from praying, tell you to shave your beard, etc., they must not be obeyed.

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

لَاطَاعَۃَ لِاَحَدٍ فِی مَعْصِیَۃِ اللّٰہِ اِنَّمَا الطَّاعَۃُ فِی الْمَعْرُوْفِ

“It is not permissible to obey someone if it involves disobeying Allah Almighty. Obedience is only in righteous actions.”^[2]

Apart from sins, parents must be obeyed in every other matter. It is reported that a man said, “O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! What rights do parents have over their children?”

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: