“Your mother”

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 twenty-two years; it’s why my back doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. 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.

I probably call my mom three or four times a day—to share a quick thought, find out for the umpteenth time what spice to put in what, to ask a mundane question about what to wear or what to gift or what to do, things no one else in the world would find the least bit interesting. She’s always there at the other end of the phone, almost waiting for my call, excited to hear every bit of boring news. Of course there are the big things too—the problems and struggles and major life decisions that I would never get through without Mom by my side.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked, “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.”

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Happy Mother's Day Mom, I love you so much.