Riyad as-Salihin, 316

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

A person came to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and asked, "Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?" He (ﷺ) said, "Your mother". He again asked, ''Who next?" "Your mother", the Prophet (ﷺ) replied again. He asked, "Who next?" He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said again, "Your mother." He again asked, "Then who?" Thereupon he (ﷺ) said," Then your father." In another narration: "O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?" He (ﷺ) said, "Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعنه رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ جاء رجل إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ يا رسول الله من أحق الناس بحسن صحابتي‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ أمك‏"‏ قال‏:‏ ثم من‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ أمك‏"‏ قال‏:‏ ثم من‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أمك‏"‏ قال‏:‏ ثم من‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ أبوك‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ يارسول الله من أحق بحسن الصحبة‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ أمك، ثم أمك، ثم أمك، ثم أباك، ثم أدناك أدناك‏"‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 316

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) The mother is the most deserving person of her chilld’s good companionship, given her weakness and need for care, and because she has suffered as much hardship and trouble as none else has. Moreover, a mother is weak since her birth, so what would her state be in her old age?! 2) One is urged to keep good company with his mother, and with his father to the best of his ability because they are the reason for his existence, after Allah Almighty. Thus, this right is due to them in return for the birth, care, and benefit they provided. 3) Putting the rights in their due order is the justice which the Shariah called for. 4) The Hadith highlights the Companions’ keenness on knowing the levels of goodness and the rights due upon them.