Even An Infidel
Or Polytheist Mother Has A Claim To Kindly Feelings And Sympathy
Asmaa Binte Aboo Bakr radhiyallahu anhumaa
narrates: During the days of the Treaty (of Hudaybiyah)
between the Apostle of Allah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam
and Quraysh of
Makkah, my mother who still followed her pagan creed came to me (travelling all the way to
Madeenah ). I then asked the Apostle
of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam
that my Mother had come and she was in need; could I help her? The Apostle of Allah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam
replied, 'Yes;
help her, (and treat her as a daughter should treat her Mother).'
Bukhaari, Muslim
COMMENTARY: Hadhrat Asmaa
radhiyallahu anha
was the daughter of Hadhrat Aboo Bakr radhiyallahu anhu
and an eldest sister of Hadhrat Aa'ishah
Siddeeqah radhiyallahu anha
from a different mother.
Her mother's name is given in the narratives as Qutaylah Binte Abdul Uzza, and Hadhrat
Aboo Bakr radhiyallahu anhu
had divorced her even
during the Age of Perversion. Anyhow, she had ceased to be his wife before the dawn of
Islaam and had held fast to her polytheistic creed. When, after the Treaty of Hudaybiyah,
it had become possible for the pagans of Makkah to go to Madeenah and for the Muslims of
Madeenah to go to Makkah, she had come to Madeenah to visit her daughter. It was, then
that Hadhrat Asmaa radhiyallahu
anha
enquired from the Apostle of Allah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam
how she was going
to treat her; whether she should have nothing to do with her, as she was a pagan, or treat
her like a daughter should and show kindness. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam
told her to be kind and considerate and
behave towards her as was a mother's due.
Earlier, we have quoted the Qur'aanic verse that if
anyone's parents were polytheists and they also wanted him to
follow the faith, he should decline to do their bidding, but
continue to be kind and respectful to them.
Special
Rights Of Parents After Their Death