A Mother’s Day message from Jakim

Muslims reminded of their filial responsibilities in Friday sermon.

PETALING JAYA: Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring mothers the world over on this Sunday and the Friday sermon by Jakim touched on their sacrifices.

The Islamic department reminded Muslims that a mother’s love was such that even a mosquito or fly was dealt swiftly if it landed on her young children.

“A mother forgoes food and sleep for her children’s welfare and there are also times when tears would flow down her cheeks, reminiscing about them when they are not with her in her old age.

“So we would like to remind you to ask yourself, when was the last time you visited your mother, looked at her in the face and kissed her hand? Take this occasion to dedicate yourself to her.”

It quoted Surat Luqman, Verse 14 to emphasise how Allah SWT honoured mothers for their sacrifices and narrated an account from the hadith where a man approached the Prophet for advice on good deeds.

The man asked the Prophet, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is worthy of my companionship? The Prophet said: “Your mother”. ‘Then who?’ he asked.

The Prophet said: “Then your mother”. ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: “Then your mother.” ‘Then who?’ The Prophet replied: “Then your father.” (Bukhari Muslim)

“Muslims must not abandon their parents when they are old and send them to charity homes. They must not offer the excuse that they are too busy to take care of their parents.

“They must not view them as a burden. What’s sadder is that some of these parents left at charity homes beg their children to come back and take them home with them, but their pleas are ignored.

“Islam teaches children to obey their parents as long as it does not oppose the Syariah. Even a cursory dismissal of their requests with an ‘uuh’ or ‘aah’ is regarded as disloyal.

“Even worse is if the children insult, curse and hit their parents when reprimanded for their acts of disobedience. A mothers love is a gateway to heaven,” it said

Jakim cited a story during the Prophet’s time when a faithful Muslim failed to say his syahadah on his deathbed because his mother was unhappy with him for prioritising his wife before her.