FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Prof. Farida Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s Major Religions’. She has translated into English many books authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently the chairperson of CPS International, she is a regular contributor of articles to various publications. Prof. Khanam has edited Maulana’s English translation of the Quran and has also translated his Urdu commentary of the Quran into English. She can be reached at hub@thespiritofislam.org PARADISE LIES AT THE FEET OF THE MOTHER The Prophet of Islam said, “Paradise lies at the feet of the mother.” T HE above Hadith is generally understood in a way that is totally opposite to its actual meaning. It is taken as a Hadith which talks about the high position accorded to a mother. This is not the right approach. In all its teachings, Islam places the onus on the individual to fulfil one's duties, irrespective of what others do. The Prophet laid the foundation of a duty-conscious society. Another Hadith of the Prophet says: A believer should be duty-conscious, and as far as his rights are concerned, he should ask of them from God. (Sahih al-Bukhari) Based on this principle, the Hadith about Paradise lying at the feet of a mother is addressed to the mother more than to the children. It emphasizes the importance of the role of a mother in the life of her children. Children are constantly in the company of their mother. In the initial period of their life, they are watching her the most and following her ways. They are exposed to her way of thinking in their day-to-day life. As the children follow the path she is treading, a mother should be highly conscious of the path she walks on. In all its teachings, Islam places the onus on the individual to fulfil one's duties, irrespective of what others do.