12/14. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1003b — Kindness to a Polytheist Mother
The virtue of spending and giving charity to relatives, spuses, children and parents, even if they are idolaters
Hadith About Kindness to a Non-Muslim Mother
Sahih Muslim : 1003b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1003b
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، قَالَتْ قَدِمَتْ عَلَىَّ أُمِّي وَهِيَ مُشْرِكَةٌ فِي عَهْدِ قُرَيْشٍ إِذْ عَاهَدَهُمْ فَاسْتَفْتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدِمَتْ عَلَىَّ أُمِّي وَهْىَ رَاغِبَةٌ أَفَأَصِلُ أُمِّي قَالَ " نَعَمْ صِلِي أُمَّكِ " .
Asma' bint Abu Bakr Narrated from:
My mother who was a polytheist came to me when he (the Holy Prophet) entered into treaty with, the Quraish (of Mecca). I inquired from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: Messenger of Allah, there has come to me my mother and she is inclined; should I (in this state of her mind) show her kindness? He said: Yes, treat her kindly.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1003bIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 62USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2195
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1003b
This Hadith about kindness to a non-Muslim mother gives more detail than the shorter report. Asma bint Abu Bakr said her mother, who was a polytheist, came to her during the period of treaty with the Quraysh. Asma asked the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم whether she should show kindness to her mother, who had come inclined toward her. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said yes, treat your mother kindly. The Hadith is direct and gentle. It shows that, in this situation, Asma was told to maintain good treatment toward her mother. The message is about family kindness while staying within the exact wording of the narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- Asma’s mother came to her while still described as a polytheist.
- Asma asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم for guidance before responding.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told her to treat her mother kindly.
- The Hadith highlights maintaining kindness to one’s mother in this stated case.
