MaaMi

Iya ni wura iyebiye;Ti a ko le f’owora; O l’oyun mi f’osu mesan; O pon mi f’odun meta; Iya ni wura iyebiye; Ti a ko le f’owora.

And for those of us who can not read Yoruba. Here you go.

Mother is a precious gold; That cannot be purchased with money; She carried me in her womb for nine months; She nursed me for three years; Mother is a precious gold; That cannot be purchased with money.

I would In Sha Allah make an excellent father and I can't wait for that moment. Motherhood is revered in the Yoruba culture and I am sure this makes a lot of men a bit jealous. I now see why most women can't wait for motherhood. By becoming a wife and a mother, a woman is promoted to the highly esteemed position in which she can be referred to as a precious jewel.  Motherhood isn't only revered in the Yoruba culture, it is just as important in Islam. The Quran and hadith says a lot about the importance of women and mothers. 

 "And revere the wombs that bore you, for God is ever watchful over you." - Q4:1

 "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents; to Me is thy final Goal." - Q31:14

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother (Ahmad, Nasai)

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet (SAW) 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. (Bukhari, Muslim)

A man once consulted the Prophet Muhammad about taking part in a military campaign. The Prophet asked the man if his mother was still living. When told that she was alive, the Prophet said: “(Then) stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

On another occasion, the Prophet said: “God has forbidden for you to be undutiful to your mothers.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Let us all take a moment to not only show our appreciation to our mothers but also extend that to all the women who have played an important role in your life or have helped nurture you in any way, shape or form for women in Islam are precious gems.