Mother, the first teacher

“There’s no school equal to a decent home and there’s no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.”

Parenting is a team effort as how the proverb goes – it takes a village to raise a child. Even though the child is influenced and shaped by the society, parents play an important role. But, Mother is the first teacher of the child. It is through women that the next generation – Muslim children learn about Islam and the duties to be fulfilled towards our creator – Allah. As Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “there is no gift a parent can give his child that is better than good manners.”

The mother understands you well when the world doesn’t. Her teachings will guide you throughout your journey and gives an optimal foundation for life. A foundation that not only builds trust and a willingness to learn but also gives the child a healthy sense of self-awareness and consideration for others. She feeds your soul, intellect and teach you moral values, attitudes and what is right and wrong. The mother helps to establish respect, kindness, courage, honesty, self-discipline, perseverance, compassion and many more values which protects their children from negative societal influence and contribute positively to society. Being a child’s first teacher is not easy, with it comes big responsibilities.

“A Mother attached to the Qur’an can fulfil the honored role bestowed upon her by making ‘it’ the manual whereto she finds guidance on the upbringing of her child.”

Talking to the child from the day one (birth), has a great impact for a good language development. Reading prophet stories or Quran aloud, talking to them about the surroundings and asking questions to which they learn to respond through gestures and actions; all these help in developing them to be good communicators.

“Mother’s love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.”

The mother lights the lamp of the soul of her child, nourishes and prepares the child. life-long learning starts the minute she gives birth to the child. The education doesn’t begin when the child goes off to kindergarten whereas it begins at home with mothers. The role of a mother in the all round education of her children cannot be overemphasized. Her education means not only the bookish one rather it means to differentiate between right and wrong actions and make them aware of moral values.

“Your mother is a door of mercy that Allah opened for you, don’t close it.”

Thus being kind towards one’s parents especially the mother is very important.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said : “your heaven lies under the feet of your mother.” While Ibn Abbas ؓ

said, “I don’t know of a deed closer to Allah, Exalted and Majestic, other than dutifulness to the Mother.”  Al Adab al Mufrad book 1, hadith 4, grade : Sahih

And the most famous hadith in Sahih Muslim states that, “Allah’s Messenger,  who amongst the people is most deserving of my good treatment? He said : your mother, again your mother, again your mother, then your father, then your nearest relatives according to the order of nearness.”

جزاكم الله خيرا