This Mother’s Day, We See You: A Letter to the Quietly Grieving and Brave
Jummah Mubarak, sis. This newsletter is a little different from the typical Mother's Day tribute. While many posts and messages today will celebrate the joy of motherhood—and rightfully so—this letter is for the women who are often overlooked in the midst of the flowers and cheerful cards. It’s for the mother who has lost a child and walks through the world carrying both love and grief. It’s for the daughter who mourns the absence of her mother—whether through death, distance, abandonment, or emotional disconnection. It’s for the new mother who is overwhelmed and silently questioning if she’s enough. It’s for the women who feel the ache more than the celebration.
To the grieving mother or daughter: your sorrow is sacred. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself shed tears at the loss of loved ones and reminded us, “The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, but we do not say except that which pleases our Lord…” (Sahih al-Bukhari). You are not weak because you grieve—you are deeply human. And your patience in pain is honored. As Allah swt says in the Qur’an: “Give glad tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return’” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155–156).
To the new moms: you are walking a blessed path. You are seen by the One who knows the weight of sleepless nights, the silent prayers you whisper while rocking your child, and the unspoken fears of motherhood. Allah swt acknowledges your struggle: “His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship…” (Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:15). The Prophet (peace be upon him) promised that Paradise lies beneath your feet. You may feel tired, but in Allah swt’s eyes, you are radiant with purpose.
To the daughters whose mothers are absent, distant, or estranged: we see your quiet sorrow too. The longing for a bond that never was, or the pain of a bond that was broken, is a grief that often goes unspoken. But Allah swt, Al-Wadud—The Most Loving—is close to the hearts that feel unloved by people. He says: “And We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein” (Surah Qaf 50:16). Where human love failed, Divine love surrounds you.
And to all women navigating this day with a mix of emotions: you are not alone. You are not forgotten. Your story matters. Whether you are celebrating, grieving, healing, or hoping, your journey is written with mercy by the One who knows your soul better than anyone.
This Mother’s Day, we choose to honor you. You who may not be in the spotlight, but whose faith, resilience, and quiet strength shine in the eyes of Allah swt. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is patient, Allah will bestow patience upon him. And no one is given a gift better and more comprehensive than patience” (Sahih al-Bukhari).
You are loved. You are seen. You are never alone.
