Abu Hurayra said, "The Prophet was asked, 'Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?' 'Your mother,' he replied. He was asked, 'Then whom?' 'Your mother,' he replied. He was asked, 'Then whom?' 'Your mother,' he replied. He was asked, 'Then whom?' He replied, 'Your father.'"
Parents - Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 5
Abu Hurayra said, "The Prophet was asked, 'Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?' 'Your mother,' he replied. He was asked, 'Then whom?' 'Your mother,' he replied. He was asked, 'Then whom?' 'Your mother,' he replied. He was asked, 'Then whom?' He replied, 'Your father.'"
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the paramount status of the mother in Islamic ethics, emphasizing her right to kindness and dutifulness three times before mentioning the father once. This repetition signifies the mother's superior claim due to the unparalleled hardships she endures during pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.
The scholars explain that birrul-walidayn (dutifulness to parents) is among the greatest obligations after tawhid (monotheism). The mother's precedence stems from her greater physical and emotional sacrifice in bringing a child into the world and nurturing them through infancy.
While the father is mentioned fourth, his rights remain immense and are coupled with the mother's in numerous Qur'anic verses. This narration specifically highlights the mother's unique position without diminishing the father's rightful status in the hierarchy of familial obligations.