THE VOICE WITHIN

The Messenger of Allah was once asked: “Who has the greater right over children, the mother or the father?”

And the Messenger of Allah replied, “The mother’s right is greater than the father’s.” He was asked this three times, and each time his answer was the same.

The fourth time, the Messenger of Allah said, “The father’s right is next.”

The questioner was perplexed: “Why do you give the mother three rights to the father’s one?”

The Messenger of Allah explained, “Your mother carried you for nine months in her womb, than gave you birth. After that she gave up her sleep for your sleep, suckled you, carried you in her arms, and cleaned you. For years she cooked for you, fed you, and served you food. She did your laundry. When you were forty, fifty, sixty years old, she still followed your progress with interest.

“Your father sowed you in your mother’s womb, provided your food, and made sure you had clothes to wear. Can this be compared with your mother’s role?”

“And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents — his mother bears him with faintings upon faintings and his weaning takes two years — saying: Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. And if they contend with you that you should associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them, and keep company with them in this world kindly, and follow the way of him who turns to Me, then to Me is your return, then will I inform you of what you did.” [Noble Qur’an (31:14-15)]

The questioner grew thoughtful: “Well, I wonder if I could ever repay my mother for all her help and service. How much I might do for her?”

“You could not repay so much as one night’s due!”

“But suppose I carry my mother on my back for years, clean up after her, cook for her, and feed her. Suppose I attend to these services as long as she lives?”

“There will still be this difference between you and her — your mother looked out for you to live, while you are waiting for her to die,” taught the Messenger of Allah.

The Arabic word for womb is ‘rahem’, derived from mercy. One of Allah’s 99 beautiful names is ‘Al-Raheem’ which means ‘The Most Merciful’.

There exists a unique connection between God and the womb. Through the womb, we get a glimpse of the Almighty’s qualities and attributes. It nurtures, feeds and shelters us in the early stages of life. It is surely a manifestation of divinity in the world.

Veritably, paradise is at the feet of Mothers.

— the harbinger