A bowl of noodles-------

[Durrak]

That night, Sharifa had a quarrel with her mum and without bringing
anything with her, she ran out of the house. While she was walking
on the street, she discovered that she did not have any money on
her, not even a cent to make a phone call. As she was walking along
the street, she spotted a noodle stall, it smells so nice, how she
longs for a bowl. But, she has no money.

After a while, the owner of the noodle stall seeing Sharifa standing
in front of his stall for quite a long time, asked: 'Hey Miss, do
you want a bowl of noodles?'

'But...but...I didn't bring any money with me...' she answered
shyly.

'It's alright; I'll give you a treat.' The noodle vendor said, 'Come
have a seat, I'll cook you a bowl of noodles.'

Not long after, the owner served Sharifa with a bowl of noodles and
a plate of vegetables. Sharifa ate a few mouthfuls and she started
to tear. 'What happened, young lady?' the owner asked.

'Nothing, I'm just touched!' Sharifa said while drying her
tears. 'Even a stranger I met on the street would offer to cook a
bowl of noodles and treat me! But... my own mother, after a quarrel
chased me out of the house and asked me not to go back again. You as
a complete stranger could show me care and concern while my own
mother...she's so cruel.' She said to the owner.

The boss after hearing what Sharifa had said replied with a
sigh: 'Miss, how can you think that way? Ponder over this, I just
cooked a bowl of noodles for you and you are so touched. Your mother
had been cooking noodles and rice for you since you are young till
now, why aren't you grateful to her? And you even quarrel with her?'

Sharifa was stunned upon hearing that. 'Why didn't I think of that?
A bowl of noodles from a stranger and I'm so grateful but yet my own
mother had been cooking for me for so many years and I'm not even
showing the least concern about her. And because of a trivial
matter, I quarrelled with her.' She finishes her noodles swiftly and
braces herself up and march towards the direction of home.

As she was walking home, she thought to herself what she wants to
tell her mum right now... 'Mum, I'm sorry, I know I'm at fault,
please forgive me.'

Once she reached the doorstep, she saw her tired and anxious mother,
frantically searching everywhere for her. When she spotted Sharifa,
the first sentence which came out of her mouth is: 'Sharifa, come
into the house quickly, I've the dinner ready and it'll be cold if
you don't eat it now.' Right at that moment, Sharifa was unable to
hold back her tears anymore and started weeping in front of her mum.

At times, we may be very grateful to other people around us for a
little gesture they showed us, but to our close ones, especially our
parents, it's a lifetime of gratefulness we have to remember.

We should never forget what our parents had done for us but often we
treat that as a natural process for them to sacrifice for us.
However, parent's love and care are the most valuable gift given to
us since we were born. They don't expect any repayment from us for
raising us but think about it.....do we treasure the unconditional
sacrifice from our parents - and so we return to them their just
dues.


Reflections of a Mother

Allah gave you life through me, but I cannot live it for you.

I can teach you the Qur'an and the Deen [1], but I cannot make you
learn.

I can guide you in your Deen, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.

I can take you to the masjid, but I cannot make you pray.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for
you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful
inside.

I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, lihubbillaah, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honour.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.

I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.

I can warn you about drugs but I can't prevent you from using them.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be
gracious.

I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk in the Straight Path
of Allah.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life..... and I
will.