Mu'aawiyah Ibne Juhaymah radhiyallahu anhumaa
relates: My father, Juhaymah radhiyallahu anhu
, went to the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam 
and said, 'I intend to go on Jihaad and
have come to seek your advice.' The Prophet
sallallahu alayhi wasallam
asked him, 'Is your mother alive?' 'Yes' he replied. 'Then stay with her and look after
her needs. Your Heaven lies under her feet' said the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam .
Ahmad, Nasa'ee
COMMENTARY: Apparently, the mother of Juhaymah
radhiyallahu anhu needed attention, and hence, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi
wasallam gave him the advice.
Service Of The Mother Can Atone For Major Sins
Abdullah Ibne 'Umar radhiyallahu anhumaa narrates that a person came to the Apostle of Allah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam and said, 'Sir, I
have committed a deadly sin. Can my repentance be accepted, (and my sin forgiven?)' 'Is
your Mother alive?' asked the Prophet
sallallahu alayhi wasallam .
'No, she is dead( he replied. Upon it, the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam enquired, 'Is there a sister of your
Mother?' 'Yes' replied the man. A sister of her is alive.' 'Then treat her kindly and
well. (Allah will accept your repentance through it's propitiousness and forgive you your
sin )' said the Prophet sallallahu
alayhi wasallam .
Tirmizi
COMMENTARY: Though all good deeds annul evil deeds, some are more
efficacious. The above Tradition tells that the service of parents, maternal aunt and maternal grandmother are among the acts by whose propitiousness even the repentance of the worst of sinners and evil-doers is accepted and they are forgiven.Even An Infidel Or Polytheist Mother Has A Claim To Kindly Feelings And Sympathy