"A man came to the Prophet of Allah, may Allah blesshim and grant him peace, and asked, 'What do you command me to do?' He replied,'Be dutiful towards your mother.' Then he asked him the same question againand he replied, 'Be dutiful towards your mother.' He repeated it yet againand the Prophet replied, 'Be dutiful towards your mother.' Then he put the question a fourth time and the Prophet said, 'Be dutiful towardsyour father.'"
Parents: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 6
"A man came to the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and asked, 'What do you command me to do?' He replied, 'Be dutiful towards your mother.' Then he asked him the same question again and he replied, 'Be dutiful towards your mother.' He repeated it yet again and the Prophet replied, 'Be dutiful towards your mother.' Then he put the question a fourth time and the Prophet said, 'Be dutiful towards your father.'"
Scholarly Commentary
This profound hadith from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad demonstrates the elevated status of the mother in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the mother's right three times before mentioning the father, indicating her precedence in receiving kindness and dutifulness.
Scholars explain that this repetition signifies the mother's greater right due to the hardships she endures during pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing. Her sacrifices are unparalleled, thus requiring greater compensation through righteous conduct from her children.
The father's right follows immediately after, demonstrating that both parents deserve utmost respect and care. This hierarchy of rights reflects the natural order of parental responsibilities and sacrifices in raising children.
This teaching establishes that birr al-walidayn (dutifulness to parents) is among the most virtuous deeds after worshipping Allah alone, and disobedience to parents is among the major sins in Islamic tradition.