Allah SWT has specifically mentioned the mother in the Noble Quran in multiple instances, linking gratitude towards her with gratitude towards Him. Allah says, “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Luqman: 14) This signifies the greatness of motherhood and shows that it is unlike any other human relationship.
Motherhood is derived from the word “mother,” and the “mother” of anything, in Arabic, is its origin and foundation. The mother is also a place of shelter, as illustrated in Allah’s words: “His refuge will be an abyss.” (Al-Qari‘ah: 9) Moreover, it signifies intent.
The word “Umm” (mother) appears in the Quran 28 times in both singular and plural forms. The Quranic usage of this term revolves around three meanings: the biological mother (the one who gives birth), the nursing mother, and the Mothers of the Believers (the wives of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him). It is usually accompanied by words that clarify the nature of motherhood and its biological and emotional characteristics.
Biological Aspects of Motherhood in the Quran
Among these terms is pregnancy, which refers to the vital function of the mother—childbearing. The Quran vividly describes the physical and emotional suffering a woman endures during pregnancy: “His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness.” (Luqman: 14) And: “His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship.” (Al-Ahqaf: 15) Allah also emphasizes that pregnancy is one of His divine secrets, that has nothing to do with human intervention: “And no female conceives nor does she give birth except with His knowledge.” (Fatir: 11) The Quran also highlights the culmination of pregnancy and the suffering endured by women during this process, using the terms “birth” (wad‘) and “labor” (makhad).
Another related term is “arham” (wombs), a Quranic term that signifies the nurturing of the fetus within the mother’s body. The womb is the foundation of kinship and all human relationships. Because of its importance, Allah has linked fearing Him with maintaining ties of kinship: “And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs.” (An-Nisa: 1) Closely related to this is the word “bellies (butun),” which often appears alongside “mother,” as in: “He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation.” (Az-Zumar: 6) And: “And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing.” (An-Nahl: 78)
Another significant term is “breastfeeding” (rada‘a), which is closely tied to motherhood. In the Quran, it appears in both noun and verb forms, emphasizing its importance in a child’s development and its related legal rulings: “And your [milk] mothers who nursed you.” (An-Nisa: 23), “And We inspired the mother of Moses, ‘Suckle him’.” (Al-Qasas: 7) Weaning (fisal) follows breastfeeding. The Quran mentions it in two places: “And his weaning is in two years.” (Luqman: 14) Considering it as a separate process that completes the nursing stage.
This sequence of terms forms a conceptual framework within which motherhood is defined. It suggests that the act of creating a human being—or more precisely, the fulfillment of Allah’s divine command to create—is the greatest role of a woman. It is not a shameful or secondary process without value, as some feminist theories and Western sociology portray it.
Emotional Aspects of Motherhood in the Quran
The Quran does not limit its discussion of motherhood to biological aspects but also illustrates its emotional dimensions in many ayahs. One example is: “But when you fear for him, cast him into the river.” (Al-Qasas: 7) This ayah highlights the maternal fear for one’s child, a fundamental trait of motherhood. This theme is reinforced in: “And the heart of Moses' mother became empty [of all else].” (Al-Qasas: 10) That is, her heart was consumed by fear and sorrow over her son. The Quran also addresses the principle of not harming the child, as in: “No mother should be harmed through her child.” (Al-Baqarah: 233) Some scholars interpret this to mean that a father should not take a child away from the mother and give them to another woman.
Rights and Duties of Mothers in the Quran
Motherhood: A Journey of Self-Purification
Motherhood imposes certain rights upon women and places specific duties upon them. The Quran outlines these clearly:
Rights of the Mother
- Kindness (Ihsan): Allah commands kindness to parents, an absolute command not restricted by any condition—even if they are disbelievers. He says, “But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness.” (Luqman: 15) Kindness to the mother takes precedence over kindness to the father, as the Quran highlights the mother’s suffering twice: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years.” (Luqman: 14) And: “And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months.” (Al-Ahqaf: 15)
- Respectful Speech: A person is commanded to speak kindly to their parents: “But speak to them a noble word.” (Al-Isra: 23) This also implies a prohibition against verbally harming or ignoring them. Instead, a person must sit with them and engage in pleasant conversation.
- Lowering the Wing of Humility: As Ibn Badis describes it, this is the etiquette of actions, demonstrating the proper demeanor a child should have with their parents. The Quran uses a powerful metaphor: “And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy.” (Al-Isra: 24) This signifies care and protection.
- Praying for Them: No matter how much one does for their parents, they can never truly repay them. Thus, Allah commands children to supplicate for their parents' mercy both in life and after death: “And say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’” (Al-Isra: 24)
Duties of the Mother
- Breastfeeding: This is the mother’s first duty, as stated: “Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years.” (Al-Baqarah: 233) The Quran elaborates on the legal rulings of breastfeeding, emphasizing its importance in a child’s development.
- Weaning: Naturally follows breastfeeding and is thus considered an obligation. The Quran refers to it in several places, emphasizing that it should be done with mutual consent and consultation between parents.
- Upbringing: This is the most critical duty of a mother. While other duties like breastfeeding and weaning may be replaced with alternatives, no substitute exists for proper upbringing. The Quran contains many references to the obligation of raising children righteously. Surah Luqman highlights this clearly, stressing that true education begins with Tawhid (monotheism) and protecting children from shirk (polytheism). Once faith is established in their hearts, moral refinement and ethical development follow.
Great Mothers Who Changed the Course of History
Overall, the Quran extensively discusses motherhood, detailing its biological and emotional dimensions, the rights mothers are entitled to, and the duties they bear.
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