For as long as I can remember, my mother has been more than just a parent to me. She has been a guide, a role model, a nurturer, and an endless source of inspiration. To the world, she is known as a dedicated Islamiyaat teacher, but to me, she is simply “Mom,” the heart of our home and the light of my life who inspires me to be just like her. This year marks 30 years of her teaching journey, a milestone that deserves more than just words. It deserves recognition for the countless hearts she has touched, the young minds she has nurtured, and the legacy of faith she continues to leave behind. 
 
Teaching Islamiyaat is not just a profession; it is a calling. It requires a lot of  patience, sincerity, and a deep love for Allah’s deen. My mother has practiced these qualities every single day of her career. For three decades she has walked into her classroom with the same passion she had on her very first day. With a smile on her face and wisdom in her words she has planted seeds of imaan in the hearts of children seeds that continue to grow long after they leave her classroom. Many of her students still remember her lessons not just the words she taught but the kindness and gentleness with which she taught them. 
 
One of the greatest blessings in her journey of knowledge is that she studied under the guidance of the late Ml. Yunus Patel (RA), a great scholar of deen in South Africa. From him she learnt not only the depth of Islamic knowledge but also the beauty of humility, sincerity, and love for Allah and His creation. His teachings shaped her as both a teacher and a mother and the values she inherited from him have been passed on to generations of students through her. She has carried his legacy with dignity becoming a flag bearer of the lessons he instilled in her. 
 
Her teaching was never limited to textbooks. She made her lessons come alive with stories from the Qur’an and the life of Rasulullah ﷺ, stories that inspired children to not only learn about Islam but to live by it. She reminded them that Islamiyaat subjects is not just a subject to be studied but a way of life a  light to guide every step they take. She taught them the beauty of salah the importance of honesty, the sweetness of patience, and the strength found in trust in Allah. With every word she instilled values that shape character and faith. 
 
Over 30 years, my mother has taught hundreds of children. Each child entered her class with curiosity and left with more than knowledge they left with lessons of love, respect, and a connection to their Creator. To this day  many of her students now grown return to thank her for the difference she made in their lives. That is the true mark of a teacher’s success  when the impact of their words remains  in the hearts of those they once taught. 
 
But what makes me most proud is that her teaching has never stopped at the classroom door  At home she has been my first teacher the one who guided me with love and corrected me with wisdom. She taught me to recite Quran  to understand its meaning and to love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Through her example she  has shown me that teaching is not just about lessons and exams but about living what you teach. Her life is a reflection of her words humble, compassionate, and dedicated to serving others for the sake of Allah. 
 
Thirty years of teaching is not just a number it represents decades of sacrifice sleepless nights of preparation and endless duas for her students success. It represents resilience through challenges and unwavering commitment to her purpose. Above all it represents a heart that beats for the love of guiding others on the path of Islam. 
 
Today… as I reflect on her journey I cannot help but feel immense gratitude to Allah for blessing me with such a mother. Her legacy as an Islamiyaat teacher is profound but her role as my mother is priceless. She is my teacher my mentor  my supporter and my biggest blessing. 
 
To my mother: May Allah reward you abundantly for every letter you taught, every dua you made, and every heart you touched. May He grant you long life, good health, and endless barakah in both worlds. Truly, Jannah is promised to those who dedicate their lives to spreading knowledge, and I can think of no one more deserving than you.