Day 25: A mother's love

A man asked Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), 'Oh Messenger of God, who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: 'Your mother'. The man said, 'Then who?' The Prophet said: 'Then your mother.' The man further asked, 'Then who?' The Prophet said: 'Then your mother.' The man asked again, 'Then who?' The Prophet said: 'Then your father.'"

Growing up, during Ramadan, my mom would try and wake me up for suhoor, unsuccessfully; then she'd bring a bowl of cheerios, toast and tea, and a glass of water to my room.  Embarrassingly, I would simply have to hoist myself up, chew, say a quick fajr and get back under the covers before sleep wandered off too far.  This year, Ammi and Abba are staying with us for Ramadan, which has made the month so special.  Thirty years later, Ammi is still the one to wake me up for suhoor, if my alarm fails, or more likely, I fail the alarm.   She makes the toast, I make the chai. Sometimes Saanya joins us -- three generation of women, together, in the early morning light.My mother is extraordinary. I don't tell her that enough. What I am, I am because of her. Her duas are what have sustained me -- what have sustained our family. It's why Arif and I have been together for a happy 22 years; it's why my back doesn't hurt as much as it used to; it's why my life has been so blessed, alhumdulillah.   It's why Saanya made the tennis team this week, even though she lost practically every match during tryouts.  There's no explaining the miracle of a mother's prayers.As Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) saying above indicates, mothers are so deeply valued in our faith.  Many years ago I told my children another saying of our Prophet:  that heaven lies beneath your mother's feet.  You can't imagine the foot massages I've been getting ever since.  Day 25: Deed 25:  Appreciating mothers, mine and yours.