Mother Goose

It was a dark and chilly night, but she did not budge from her position. There was  an absolute sense of focus and fearlessness in her eyes. She was determined and remained steadfast in her goal. She knew what she had to do. It was what Allah had intended for her. Nothing could stop her from keeping her baby gosling eggs warm and safe in their nest.

There is so much for us to learn from this mother goose, such as how to own the roles and responsibilities that Allah has given us. Before we can comprehend the dynamics of the different relationships we have with the people in our lives, we must first learn to define our exact roles within those relationships.

If one was to really think about it, which of Allah’s creations actually question their roles and purpose here on this Earth? We see so many examples in nature of animals and plants, even the wind and water, doing just what Allah wills of them. Yet, here we are as humans always redefining our roles or trying to go against what Allah has originally intended for us. A primary example of that is how we approach and value motherhood.

What was so apparent and fascinating about the goose sitting over her nest was how she was fulfilling her role as a mother-to-be. She was alone but did not seem lonely, because Allah was her and her babies’ protector and provider.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “If you have proper and sincere tawakkul (reliance) on Allah (SWT), He will grant you rizq (sustenance) like the birds are given rizq, who come out of their nests in the morning with empty stomachs and return to their nests in the evening with a full stomach.

Before we can become great mothers, we need to grasp the greatness of becoming an being a mother. Children are a true blessing from Allah and a continuation of the ummah. We may somtimes take the gift of motherhood for granted. There are women who will give and do anything to become mothers and yet month after month get disappointed during menstruation. Then there are those women who cry and complain when Allah blesses their wombs and later their arms with a healthy baby. Why is that so?

We should jump at the opportunity of becoming a wife and mother, because that is what Allah has ordained for us. By showing ungratefulness or treating our children unjustly we are not fulfilling our Allah-given duty as real mothers.

There are countless blessings to being a mother. Heaven is accessible to the child at his/her mother’s feet. A mother has three times the right of a father over her child. A mother that delivers her baby becomes as pure and sinless as her newborn child. Every drop of breast milk that enters her baby’s mouth erases one of her sins. If she has to stay awake at night for the sake of her child, she will receive the reward of emancipating seventy slaves. All praises be to Allah!

Some circumstances, including health reasons, may hinder some women from experiencing motherhood. However, the idea of not having children due to financial reasons must be avoided. Indeed Allah is the Best of Providers for He says in the Quran, “And do not kill your children for fear of poverty: We give them sustenance and yourselves (too).” (17:31)

If we have the privilege to become mothers, then we need to own that role just like the mother goose. We need to be proud and shine as role models and a source of comfort for our children. Most importantly, we need to be that taste of Jannah for our children in this life as well as their means to earn Jannah in the next life, inshaAllah.

Tayyaba Syed

Tayyaba is a freelance journalist from Illinois. She has been featured on NPR and writes for numerous publications. She also speaks about marriage and family. Most importantly, she is blessed to be a mother of two little adventurers and blogs at www.tayyabasyed.blogspot.com.