Why I Don’t Introduce Mother’s Day to My Kids

Photo Credit: iStochPhoto

Earlier today (11 May 2014), I was over the phone with my mum, and had some chitchat and jokes with her. It was part of the scheduled and routine calls. In our conversation, I didn’t mention Mother’s Day.

I have chosen not to discuss “Mother’s Day” not only with my mum, but with my kids and friends too. Let me elaborate from here.

Almost every other day, I have to emphasize the importance of respecting one’s parents especially the mother with my kids. Furthermore, we Muslims are obliged by the Qurʿān to constantly pray for them “My Lord, be merciful to them (my parents), as they raised me since I was little.” [Surah Al-Isrāʿ, 17:24]. Also, the sunnah of the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʾalaihi wa sallam, taught us to spend 18 hours to attend to our mothers whenever we spend 6 hours to attend to our fathers. “Ummuk (your mother!)… Ummuk… Ummuk…and then Abūk (your father!).

If out the blue moon, I start to encourage and train them on the “Mothers’ Day” culture, I'm afraid I’m sending the wrong message to appreciate their mother by setting aside one day in the year to spend [some] time with her, instead of the daily appreciations, emphasized by the Qurʿān and the Sunnah.

I’m also afraid, if I introduce this “Mothers’ Day” thing to their minds, they will dump their mother in old folks home, when they grow up and are engaged with their worldly affairs.

If I spoil them with this “Mothers’ Day” thing, there’s a possibility, they will forget her after her death, and will only pray for her once a year; on “Mothers Day”. That is if they will bother to do it.

Seriously, Mother’s Day's celebration sounds good. As a result, it sounds, to many, strange and extreme when you have an idea that differs from it, in a way or another. But in the end, life is a matter of choice. Choosing is easy, but we should know why we choose what have decided to choose.

That is why I didn’t discuss Mother’s Day with mum, and these are why it’s not on the table of discussion at home.

Mothers, do you want to be appreciated once a year and none after your death, or you prefer to be appreciated every other day of the year by your kids?  I would like to hear from you.

Allāh knows best.
Allāhu Ḥāfiẓ 🙂