Sahih al-Bukhari — Hadith 5971
Narrated by Abu Hurairah
مَنْ أَحَقُّ بِحُسْنِ صَحَابَتِي؟ قَالَ أُمُّكَ، قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ أُمُّكَ، قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ أُمُّكَ، قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ؟ قَالَ ثُمَّ أَبُوكَ
Translation
A man came to Allah's Messenger and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?' The Prophet said: 'Your mother.' The man said: 'Who is next?' The Prophet said: 'Your mother.' The man further said: 'Who is next?' The Prophet said: 'Your mother.' The man asked for the fourth time: 'Who is next?' The Prophet said: 'Your father.'
Commentary
This is one of the most well-known hadith in the Islamic tradition and carries a clear message: mothers are owed three times the honor and companionship of fathers. Scholars explain this as recognition of three stages of hardship unique to motherhood — pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing — each of which earns a degree of gratitude. The Qur'an reinforces this in 31:14: 'His mother carried him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years.' This hadith has profoundly shaped Muslim cultures worldwide, where devotion to one's mother is considered among the highest acts of worship.