Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I want to know if a step mother should be treated equally or with a difference as compared to one`s own mother in terms of respect as well as in the form of duty.

Please answer my question enabling to sort out my relationships.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

How to treat step mother

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

All the rights and duties which are enjoined so categorically in the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah are related only to the mother from whose womb one is actually born. Although one’s step-mother is a mehram in Shariah Law, it is obvious that she would not enjoy the same rights as one’s real mother.

But it would be akin to piety and righteousness in the Sight of Allah that one strive to show utmost respect and obedience, and strive to develop an extremely cordial adoration and relationship to the woman whom one’s own father has chosen to marry.

But the rights and duties, and the ‘almost’ unconditional obedience and respect which the believers are Commanded and Enjoined by Allah Subhanah are reserved only for one’s own mother (and father).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan