By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
As we say in local parlance, there are mothers-in-law and there are mothers-in-laws. But my mother-in-law was one in a million. She was a mother that God Almighty custom-made for me and specially designed to fulfill some divine purposes He had set for me even before I was born over 60years ago.
Since He is all-knowing, Allah (SWT)gave me and He knows what the future holds, He gave me Late Hajiya Salamtu Sulaiman, Known as NNA, a precious daughter of KAKANDA Princess of Budon kingdom.
Looking back, I consider it an aberration to refer to Nna as mother- in- law. She was more than that. She was a mother in a million. She never saw or treated me as a son-in-law since that day I became a member of their family by marrying her daughter in 1987, Rather, she saw and treated me like her biological son and I’m not exaggerating. There was no sacrifice too big or too much for her to make for me or my family. She was always there for us. But it would be a wrong assumption to think that Nna showed me so much love because I married her daughter. No. The story pre-dated my Almajirance or student at late sheikh Ibrahim Na’jirgi makarata where I meet my wife late Aisha her daughter who later became my wife. In fact, it was Nana’s and her late husband , Alhaji Aliyu Sulaiman kindly and caring disposition that drew me towards their family; and that was long before I met her daughter and we later got married.
Nna loved her children dearly. Before any of her daughters got betrothed, Mama, as a matter of duty, would have travelled secretly to carry out background checks on the would-be in-laws. Oh yes, she always did this before consenting to any marriage.
One valuable lesson I learnt from Nna was her undiluted love for her religion
Hajiya Nna was an extraordinary Religious Woman . At over 78 when most of her age mates would have bent double and would have been devastated by the ravages of ageing, Nna stood straight and strong; and very alert, mentally. No loss of memory.
Hajiya Sali passed away on Friday 14/3/2025 equivalent to 14 Month of Ramadan 1446 AH, exactly 8 years 11 months after the demised of my lovely wife Aisha on the 17th of April 2017.
The great love, truthfulness, hard work she imparted on her children and Grandchildren cannot be underestimated.
Also the love and fear of Allah she taught them. I will end this tribute by saying may Allah in His Infinite Mercies grant their souls eternal rest in His Janatul-firdaus and may we retain all the goodness she taught us so that one day we will eventually meet to part no more.
