— By Ayinla Rofee’ah Yeketi (Ummu Miqdaad)
Just last week, I stumbled upon a video of one of our noble teachers of the Deen. He was speaking about a woman whose name is etched in the stars of Islamic history: Umm Sulaym, Nusaybah bint Kaʿb (may Allah be pleased with her). As I listened, I found my heart trembling. Here was a woman who asked for nothing material as her mahr when she accepted the proposal of Abū Ṭalḥah. All she wanted in return was his acceptance of Islam, and SubḥānAllah, he entered Islam, and through her sincerity and steadfastness, Allah guided her husband and blessed their home.
Her story did not stop there. Umm Sulaym faced the loss of a child, something that breaks even the strongest of hearts. Yet she bore it with faith, patience, and reliance upon Allah. Her reward? Not only Jannah promised by the Prophet ﷺ, but also a pious son, Anas ibn Mālik, who grew to be one of the noble companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This is what she “brought to the table.” Righteousness, patience, encouragement in Deen, and a heart devoted to Allah.
Today, when the question “What are you bringing to the table?” is thrown around, it often becomes a battle of egos. Some men list material contributions: provision, shelter, protection. Some women counter with responsibilities like childbirth, household management, and emotional support. And often, the discussion ends with division rather than unity. But if we pause for a moment, step back, and look through the lens of our mothers in faith, like Umm Sulaym, we realize the table itself is not built upon competition or comparison. It is built upon Taqwa, sincerity, and striving to please Allah.
Your worth in the sight of Allah is not measured by income, possessions, or status. It is measured by your devotion, your patience, your character, and your intentional efforts to draw closer to your Lord. As Muslim women, what we bring to the table of life and marriage should be more than just services or duties, it should be faith that uplifts, patience that strengthens, and love that nurtures the home in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
When a woman nurtures her relationship with Allah, she inevitably nurtures her home, her husband, and her children. She becomes a source of tranquility, a mirror of patience, and a reminder of righteousness. That is far greater than any worldly contribution.
Let’s remind ourselves: before being wives, mothers, or daughters, we are first and foremost female slaves of Ar-Raḥmān. Allah deserves our dedication, not because a nation will be birthed through us, but because we were created to know Him, worship Him, and propagate His religion, and in a world full of distractions, social media trends, endless comparisons, and voices that push us toward self-centeredness, building this foundation requires extra intentionality. It’s not easy. But the reward is beyond imagination:
- Jannah beneath which rivers flow.
- Mercy from above in this world and the next.
- Families that will be the coolness of our eyes.
The next time you hear the question, “What do you bring to the table?” smile gently in your heart. Remember Umm Sulaym and how she did not bring wealth, or property, or status, but she brought something greater: faith, patience, and righteousness that rippled across generations. This is what we should strive to bring: hearts connected to Allah, intentions purified for His sake, and homes that breathe with His remembrance. Because when we give Allah our best, He gives us more than we can ever imagine.
When you stand before Allah, not before people, what will you bring to His table?
Until we meet in the next reminder if Allah wills, keep your heart soft, your duʿā sincere, and your eyes on Jannah.