YAR RAWA

 

 

Tabawa, may Allah grant her peace, had always been told, “Patience is not death, it’s a test.” She listened to these words as she gazed at the faces of her two daughters, barely twelve years old. Tears welled up in her eyes as she held back the anguish that threatened to engulf her.

 

She took a deep breath and, with trembling hands, wiped away the tears that had started to fall. She began speaking softly, her voice as fragile as her spirit, “Ameenee, …remember, Allah is always watching over us, no matter where we are. Be a good sister and friend, be kind to everyone you meet… Keep the teachings of Allah in your heart, Ameenee. May Allah bless you with wisdom.”

 

Tears welled up in her eyes as Tabawa finished her heartfelt advice. She embraced her daughter tightly, the pain in her heart almost too much to bear. Malam Muhammad, her husband, took the empty jug from her and filled it with water, then handed it to Ameenee. She recited her shahada, and her mother, Tabawa, watched her with wide eyes, her face mirroring the mix of emotions within her.

 

Malam Muhammad’s expression remained stoic, but his eyes betrayed his feelings. Ameenee’s eyes met her father’s, and she saw the deep love he held for her. She felt a sense of peace as she recited her prayers, “Oh Lord, my God, please forgive my mother, grant her mercy in her grave. Allah, make her among the righteous. Allah, give her the ability to answer the questions of the grave.”

 

Malam Muhammad’s eyes welled with tears as he listened to Ameenee’s prayers. He knew that he had to be strong for his family now. He gently wiped away her tears, and she looked up at him with gratitude in her eyes.

 

After the prayers, Malam Muhammad left quietly, and the house was filled with the sound of sobbing. Ameenee’s younger sister, Delu, was inconsolable, and Tabawa struggled to find words of comfort. She knew that her daughters would face many challenges without her, and it broke her heart.

 

As the days passed, Tabawa’s health deteriorated rapidly, and her family watched helplessly as she suffered. They did their best to care for her, but it was clear that she was nearing the end of her journey.

 

One day, as Tabawa lay weak and frail, she called Delu to her side. With her last ounce of strength, she whispered, “Delu, may Allah always watch over you. Today, He has taken me, but you must carry on. We have faith in you, my dear. You must continue our legacy.”

 

With those final words, Tabawa closed her eyes and breathed her last. The room was filled with grief, and Delu wept bitterly. She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders as she realized that she was now responsible for her family.

 

Malam Muhammad, though devastated by the loss of his wife, knew that he had to be strong for his daughters. He comforted Delu and assured her that they would face the future together.

 

As the years passed, Delu took on the role of the eldest daughter and cared for her younger siblings. She became a source of strength and inspiration for her family. Despite the challenges they faced, they carried on Tabawa’s legacy of faith and patience, knowing that she was watching over them from above.

 

In the end, Tabawa’s gift of patience and unwavering faith had been passed down to her daughters, and it sustained them through the trials of life.