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