My Mother's Hands

My Mother's Hands

Eid was nearing and I felt it was necessary to get my Grand Mother (nani ma) a new Abaya (Cloak) as her other Abayas were frail and worn out. I stopped by on Saturday morning and told my nani to come along as I have a surprise for her.

I don't normally like to go shopping as I'm not a patient person, but we set off for the mall together. We visited nearly every Islamic Clothing Store that carried ladies' Abayas and she tried on many. We were so undecided. Some were too huge, others too small..some were just right but the colour was not so smart etc.

As the day wore on, I grew weary. Finally, at our last stop, my nani ma tried on a lovely Brown Abaya that had lovely beige ribbon trimmings. The Abaya had some bows in front. As I stood in the dressing room with her, I watched as she tried, with much difficulty, to tie the bows. Her hands were so badly crippled from arthritis that she couldn't do it. Immediately, my impatience gave way to an overwhelming wave of compassion for her. I turned away to try and hide the tears that welled up involuntarily. Regaining my composure, I turned back to tie each of the bows for her.

Our shopping trip was over, but the event was etched indelibly in my memory. For the rest of the day, my mind kept returning to that moment in the dressing room and to the vision of my nani ma's hands trying to tie that bow. Those loving hands that had fed me, bathed me, dressed me,
caressed and comforted me and most of all prayed for me, were now touching me in the most remarkable manner.

Later in the evening, I went to her room, took her hands in mine, kissed them and much to her delight and surprise I told her that to me they were the most beautiful hands in the world. Tears started falling profusely from her aged and weak eyes as I narrated my appreciativeness for all that her beautiful hands had done for me since I could remember. I could not forget how she stood at my bed side for days and fed me with those beautiful hands while I recovered from an accident. I was 17 at that time. Today at 27 I can only pray that some day Allah (swt) will let my hands and my heart achieve such a beauty of their own.

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." Qura'an-[Surah al-Ahqaf 46:15]

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallahu Alayhi Wassallam) is reported to have said (may Allah (swt)'s [peace and blessings be upon him): "Jannah [heaven] lies under the feet of your mother"

"Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the great sins?" We [his companions] said, "Yes, O Allah's Apostle [pbuh]" He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah (swt) and to be undutiful to one's parents."

Let us not wait for a special day to show kindness to our parents! Do as much good today as they may not be with us tomorrow!!!!

May Allah (swt) grant our mother's / grandmothers that which they rightly deserve. Let us make Dua'a for each them and treasure them for what they do and have done for us...