Jharoka

As I often do, I scroll for hours looking at pictures of my mother in my camera roll. I don’t know if it makes me miss her more or if it provides solace but I suspect it’s a bit of both.

In honing in on her hands, each and every line is etched with a story of unconditional love, unending devotion and sacrifice. Sadly, a lot of what I took for granted. I wish I could hold her hands and kiss them and care for them as she did all her life for me and her family without a second thought.

Each line and wrinkle on these:

• cradled me to sleep
• fed me when I could not feed myself
• cleaned me when I was unable
• stitched and dressed me in the finest clothes she could
• held my hand as I learned to walk
• taught me how to hold a pencil and write
• taught me how to tie my shoes
• gently stroked my fevered brow
• bandaged my cuts
• applied medicine to my scrapes
• wiped my tears when the world made me cry
• worked long hours
• cooked and baked delicious meals
• cleaned our home and clothes
• prayed for me when I didn’t even pray for myself
• held me when I failed
• pushed me when I would give up
• clapped for me on my littlest achievements as if they were world championships
• reached out to guide me when I didn’t know where to go
• soothed my fears through a touch

She did this all when she tired and/or hurting and kept doing it all without being thanked.

This is a small window into why in Islam a mother holds an extremely high status. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers”. While the Quran commands Muslims to treat their parents with kindness and respect, there is a particular emphasis on mothers due to their immense sacrifices in carrying and nurturing their children. 

If your mother is still living, caress and kiss her hands. Thank her for all of her sacrifices, love and devotion.

If you have made it to this post / page, I would be most appreciative if you could say a prayer for my beloved mother. Thank you.