A Mother’s Tawakkul: Ummi Musa
By Zayna Amin
‘Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return Him to you and will make him (one) of the messengers.’ [Surah Al-Qasas, 7]
The bond between a mother and baby is like a deep-rooted anchor between two hearts. Most of us have witnessed and experienced the quiet strength of our mother’s endless care. Now envision a reality where a mother is in fear of her son’s safety. Instead of instinctively being able to hold her son closer, she is told by the Most merciful to cast him into the river. An impossible task for any mother, Ummi Musa fulfilled with no sight of the path before her, but with tawakkul in her heart.
Many times in life we fall into unprecedented situations, situations we never planned we would be in, situations our human minds cannot fathom a way out of. Ummi Musa knew that she had to let go of her son, with Allah’s promise that He would be returned to her a Prophet, but she had no knowledge of the journey that would get them there. She had to continue through the unfamiliarity with pure reliance on Allah swt. As human beings we constantly desire control over our lives, wanting our future mapped out before we are willing to move forward. Often, we cling to the false belief that we are in control, blind to the true meaning of Al-Razzaq (The Ultimate Provider). Allah’s swt plan for us is infinitely greater than anything we could ever envision for our own selves. True tawakkul begins when we surrender our false control to Allah swt knowing that we are purely reliant on Him and He is the one who grants us the ability to be patient. Whatever we place into the hands of Allah swt is never lost.
Most often the path of tawakkul is not easy. At times, a trial of faith requires us to let go of what we hold most dear, a profound sacrifice of something we deeply cherish. For Ummi Musa, this was her son. It wasn’t that it was easy for Ummi Musa, ‘And the heart of Moses’ mother became empty (of all else). She was about to disclose (the matter concerning) him, had We not strengthened her heart to remain among those who have firm belief (in Allah’s promise)’. It was her tawakkul that allowed her to continue. Ummi Musa took every means that was available to her by sending Musa’s sister to watch over him, because once we’ve placed our trust in Allah we continue to take action. True tawakkul is when the heart leans on Allah while the body continues to strive.
A year ago, I was faced with the challenge of moving away from my family to an unfamiliar town for University and having to take an alternative path before pursuing my intended profession. Although I had previously viewed having tawakkul as something straightforward, I found myself confronted with the reality that real trust in Allah is often accompanied by hardship. Looking back, that year brought me unbreakable friendships that drew me closer to Allah and new opportunities that allowed me to help benefit other Muslims and gain ajr (reward). A year that I would never change, because anything that brings us closer to Allah is a blessing and anything that takes us away from Him is a punishment, even when it is disguised as something good. We don’t know the knowledge behind Allah’s plans, all we know is that our lives are in the hands of Al-Alim and Al-Wadud (The All Knowledgeable and The All Loving).
There is never any doubt that Allah’s plan will always unfold with divine perfection. Ummi Musa was returned to her baby son as a nursing mother and eventually Musa (as), who was meant to be killed, became the one to lead the nation of Banu Isra’il to liberation. This is a reflection that whatever trial Allah places before us, He also gives us the strength to face it. Allah swt not only replaces whatever is taken from us but He restores and multiplies it in ways unimaginable. The fire did not burn Prophet Ibrahim (as). The well did not destroy Prophet Yusuf (as). The pain of childbirth did not overwhelm Maryam (as). Allah’s swt plan has never failed us, so why would we ever doubt that it would?
