Presents:

1. Presents: “The Role of The mother in turkish traditions and customs"

2. turks before islam Even before the Turks accepted Islam, the mother had an important place. In the government structure, she was second in command. The high status given to women and mothers by Islam made it easy for Turks to accept the religion.

3. EXAMPLES FROM the turkish history • The advice given by the great Turkish thinker, Sheik Edebali to Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman state: “O son! Respect your mother and ancestors, prosperity and goodness are with your elders. If you sadden them, when brimming with life, you will turn into a desert” “O son! You are now a lord. Hereafter; anger is our part, flexibility is yours. To accuse is our part, to accept is yours Weakness is our part, tolerance is yours Arguments are our part, justice is yours Transgression is our part, forgiveness is yours

4. EXAMPLES FROM the history of islam During a battle ,a mother had lost her baby. She was seen running from cradle to cradle smelling the babies and trying to identify her own baby by smell. At last she found her baby ,whom she held tightly and began to cry. The Prophet (pbuh) pointed this scene out to his companions and asked, “Would this mother ever throw her child in a fire?” The companions said: “No” There upon the prophet (pubh) said, “God has the same feelings toward his servants that this mother has toward her child. For Allah gave part of his mercy to mothers”

5. “Heaven is found beneath the feet of the mothers” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

6. EXAMPLES FROM the history of islam Among the companions of the prophet (pbuh) there was a youth called Alkame. He was in the grip of a fatal illness. The prophet (pbuh) was made aware of this. Alkame wanted to offer his final prayer but was sad because he was unable to speak. Why? The prophet understood why he could not speak. He said," Find Alkame’s mother” His mother came and the prophet (pbuh) said, “You are not pleased with your son” She replied, “Yes, O Allah’s messenger, my son broke my heart and saddened me. And I did not forgive him and will not forgive him”…

7. EXAMPLES FROM the history of islam Hearing this ,the Prophet (Pbuh) told his Companions to build a large fire outside. He said: ”If you do not forgive your son, I will throw him in the fire” The woman began to cry. She asked why. The prophet (pbuh) replied, “Even if he does not burn here ,he will burn on the other side because he saddened his mother”. The woman said “Alright, O Messenger of God, I forgive him. I don’t want him to burn here or on the other side” There upon ,Alkame began to speak, offered his final prayer, and turned his spirit over to God (passed away)

8. EXAMPLES FROM the history of islam The Prophet (pbuh) said three times: Shame on them… Shame on them… Shame on them… His Companions said: Who, O Messenger of God. The prophet replied: Those who did not care for their parents in their old age and there by did not earn heaven

9. EXAMPLES FROM the history of islam • A man approach the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and said, “O Messenger of God, tell me of a good deed that will earn me heaven” The prophet (pubh) said : “Be good to your mother” “What else” he asked. “Be good to your mother” “What else” he asked again. “Be good to your mother” Then the prophet (pbuh) added, “Be good to your father”

10. To my dear mother... “I did not choose you as my mother. But if I were to be born again and given the option, I would still pick you…”

11. Verses from quran Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful; And (remember) when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none but Allah (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans and the poor, and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad Peace be upon him ], and perform Prayer, and give Almsgiving. And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.

12. Turkish Proverbs about Mothers “There is no finer sweetheart than one’s mother” “One Can never repay one’s debt to one’s mother” “Before marrying a girl look at her mother” “If one should bewail me, my mother would do so, others would cry only feignedly”