The Claim Of Mother Is Greate

Aboo Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu narrates that (once) a person enquired from
the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam : "Who has the greatest claim on
Ire with regard to service and kind treatment?" The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam  replied: "Your mother; and again, your mother; and once again, your mother. After her, there is the claim of your father, and, after it, of your near kinsmen, and then, of the kinsmen who are next to their."

Bukhaari, Muslim

COMMENTARY:

The name of the questioner is not given in Aboo Hurayrah's
radhiyallahu anhu narration, but, in Tirmizi and Aboo Daawood, it is related, on the authority of Bahz Ibne Hakeem Mu'aawiyah Qushayri radhiyallahu anhumaa, that his father, Mu'aawiyah Qushayri radhiyallahu anhu, had asked the
Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam : "Whom should I serve and take care off (Who deserves my thoughtful attention foremost)?"
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam  replied: "Your mother".
He, then asked: "Who comes next?"
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam  said: "Your mother".
He, once again asked: "Who comes next?"
The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam  replied again: "Your mother."
He asked for the fourth time, "Who comes next?"
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam  said: "After your mother is the claim of your father, and then, grade by grade, of your relatives".

The subject matter of both the narrations and even the phrasing of the questions and answers is almost identical. It is, therefore, highly probable that the questioner referred to in Aboo Hurayrah's radhiyallahu anhu narrative was Mu'aawiyah Qushayri radhiyallahu anhu.

Anyhow, the purpose of both the Traditions is that where care and kindly treatment are concerned, the claim of  mother is greater than that of father. From the Qur'aan, too, it appears to be
the same for at many places, the pain and suffering of the mother during pregnancy and at childbirth and in fostering and bringing up the children has been   mentioned, in particular along with the exhortation of showing kindness to parents.

Unfortunate is he who is not regardful of needs and comforts of his aged parents
Service Of Parents Is Preferable Even To Jihaad In Certain Circumstances