Celebrating Our Mothers Without Regret

Love and affection are at once the most important and the most natural sentiments a child could offer towards their mother. Despite the commemoration of Mother’s Day occurring on a single day per year, honouring the status of a mother is emphasised across cultures and throughout religious texts.

The Qur’an explains this importance with a strong instruction towards parents: “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.” (17:23)

What’s more, the painstaking efforts of a mother specifically are duly noted several times, for instance: “And We have enjoined upon man care for his parents. His mother carried him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years.” (31:14)

According to several hadeeth narrations, the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was approached by a man who asked who was most deserving of his kind treatment in society. The prophet replied, “Your mother.” The man said, “Then who?” The prophet replied again with, “Then your mother.” The man further asked, “Then who?” The prophet said once more, “Then your mother.” The man asked again, “Then who?” The prophet said, “Then your father.” (Bukhari, Muslim). This significance of the role of mothers here cannot be underestimated.

At FAST, we believe that families matter. Mothers, without a doubt, are central to the functioning and stability of a family. Yet it is with a heavy heart that we have seen so many young men and women crush their instincts and neglect their mothers to partake in a journey to Daesh territories – simply to appease their own false sense of heroism, meanwhile destroying the lives of many others.

By far, the decision to leave one’s family causes the most stress and anxiety for such travellers. Research has shown women experiencing life under Daesh complaining time and time again about missing their families, especially their mothers.

Travelling for such futile purposes at the expense of causing immense pain to one’s own mother is not acceptable. Deep down, they know this. It means that a sacred bond has been severely compromised. Mothers should be celebrated – and sons and daughters should be there for the moment.

If you’re concerned that a family member or friend is considering travelling to Syria,please see our ‘where to turn’ page.