A Tribute to Motherhood
By: Mohammad Nadeem
In the journey of life, we come across countless relationships—friends, teachers, mentors, relatives, and even strangers—each contributing something valuable to our growth and experiences.
Often, life brings moments when we owe someone kindness, money, time, or support. These debts, in most cases, are transactional. We find ways to return favors, express gratitude, and settle the account. But there exists one debt that not even a lifetime of devotion, riches, or sacrifice can repay—the debt we owe to our mother.
A mother’s debt can never be repaid; the debts of others—we might still manage to return.
This sentence, simple yet profound, carries an ocean of emotions. It speaks of the most selfless bond in the world. When we consider what our mothers endure, from the moment we are conceived to the time we grow independent, it becomes clear why this debt is so sacred and permanent.
The Silent Sacrifice
Before we take our first breath, a mother already sacrifices parts of herself—physically, emotionally, mentally. She loses sleep, gains pain, and yet carries us within with immense love. No one sees those nine months of silent suffering, the restless nights, the anxiety, the prayers whispered under her breath. And when we arrive, her first smile carries tears of joy. Her love is not born from conditions; it’s pure, primal, and eternal.
The world may celebrate heroes, but every mother is a quiet warrior. She endures pain without complaint, changes her dreams to fit ours, and often gives up her comforts to make sure we never feel discomfort. What currency in the world can pay back such sacrifice?
Beyond Materialism
Unlike material debts—where we can return money or repay a favor—a mother’s debt lives beyond this realm. It is not bound by material goods or favors; it is made of tears wiped, sleepless nights endured, meals skipped, and prayers made. A mother gives without keeping count. She doesn’t ask for return, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t indebted.
Others may lend a hand with the expectation of something in return. But a mother gives her entire being with one hope only: that her child is happy, safe, and guided. Try to calculate the emotional cost of her care—it would be beyond measure.
Repaying the World, but Not Her
Life teaches us to say thank you, to acknowledge kindness, to repay debts with gratitude or action. A teacher shares knowledge; we can honor them with respect. A friend supports us; we can return the favor someday. A stranger helps; we can pay it forward. But no amount of devotion can equate to what our mothers have already done for us.
You can build her a mansion, buy her gold, or even offer her the world—but none of it weighs equal to the sleepless nights she stayed by your fevered bedside, the tears she shed in secret when you were hurt, or the pain she felt but never showed when you were distant.
Unseen, Yet Eternal
There are times in life when we misunderstand our mothers. We rebel, we ignore their advice, and sometimes, we take them for granted. Yet, they forgive without even needing an apology. No grudge, no emotional bill. Their love is stitched into the very fabric of our soul, unshaken by time or error.
Even in silence, a mother’s prayer follows her child. Her presence is often so constant that we fail to notice how much of our stability is built on her presence. When she’s gone, only then do we realize how much she held up.
The Islamic View
In Islam, the status of a mother is unmatched. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Paradise lies beneath the feet of your mother.” This powerful hadith alone shows that even if you spent your whole life in service to your mother, it would not be enough. Islam repeatedly reminds us that after worshiping Allah, our highest obligation is to our parents, and especially to our mother.
In another narration, when asked who among people is most worthy of good company, the Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Your mother.” And then again, “Your mother.” And then again, “Your mother,” before mentioning the father. Such emphasis was not placed randomly—it was a divine recognition of the pain, labor, and love only a mother can give.
When She’s Gone
There is no emptiness quite like that of a mother’s absence. Her voice, her hands, her dua (prayer), her gaze—they stay etched in our memory. Those who’ve lost their mothers often speak of a kind of loneliness that no one else can fill. In the silence of the night, in the rush of life, they long for her words—even her scoldings.
You realize you can never call her again, never lay your head in her lap, never hear her say “Take care, beta” when you step out. That’s when you feel the weight of the unpaid debt—heavy, eternal, and aching.
What Can We Do Then?
We may not be able to repay our mothers fully, but we can honor them:
Serve them while they are alive – with love, patience, and respect.
Make dua for them after they pass – a child’s prayer is among the few things that benefit the deceased.
Live by their values – carry forward their compassion, faith, and strength.
Never let their sacrifices be in vain – become the kind of human they prayed for.
These are not payments. They are acts of love, gratitude, and devotion—a humble attempt to offer something back for the ocean of care they poured into us.
Conclusion: In a world where we are taught to keep accounts, return favors, and balance give-and-take, the mother-child relationship stands apart. It is rooted in selflessness. Every day we live, we carry the gift of her love, and every success we earn has her silent contribution behind it.
“A mother’s debt can never be repaid; the debts of others—we might still manage to return.”
Let this not just be a quote, but a reminder—of the one soul who gave us everything and asked for nothing.
And let our lives be a silent, lifelong tribute to her undying love.
(The author is a Chemistry Educator and Educational Columnist)
