From Seed to Soul: The Power of a Mother’s Hands

A mother’s hands hold a quiet kind of magic: the power to nurture, to heal

October is a generous month: chestnuts fall from the trees, bright orange persimmons glow in the gardens, mandarins perfume the air, and walnuts scatter beneath our feet. Yet many still prefer to buy imported fruit, wrapped in plastic, coming from who knows where.

Nora’s Garden was created as a gentle reminder that true abundance doesn’t come from supermarkets but from the earth itself — from the trees, the soil, and the divine gifts that surround us every day. Choosing self-sufficiency isn’t only an ecological or economic decision; it’s also an act of freedom. Every fruit picked with your own hands is a quiet rebellion against a system built on profit rather than on quality or respect for life.

Our grandparents used to walk into the forest and return with baskets full of chestnuts, mushrooms, berries, and wild fruits. Today, we’ve become trapped in a system that makes us run endlessly inside a wheel that eventually crushes us.

But we can change that — starting right in our gardens, or even on our balconies.

This year, my garden was a small paradise: sweet figs, tender spinach, roses of every color, and plenty of fragrant parsley. Alhamdulillah.

Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time to sow green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, arugula, and radicchio. These plants love cool weather and thrive in lower temperatures. You can also grow aromatic herbs like basil, coriander, and parsley to flavor your meals throughout the year. And for the colder months, plant cabbages — cauliflower, broccoli, or savoy, hardy and nourishing crops perfect for winter.

Simple, Halal, Low-Cost

Nature is an endless pantry: just need to learn how to harvest from it. Here are a few ideas for healthy, halal, and budget-friendly dishes inspired by the rhythm of the seasons:

Nettle soup: gather young leaves during a countryside walk.

Wild arugula salad with eggs: ask a local farmer for fresh eggs, just like in the old days.

Pumpkin soup: maybe made with a pumpkin a farmer couldn’t sell.

Figs and walnuts dessert: autumn gifts from the trees.

Unleavened bread: made with only water, flour, salt, and olive oil.

Or try a simple homemade meal: Spinach with chicken (from your garden or a trusted farmer)Plain rice. Dessert: persimmons with dark chocolate: a zero-cost treat if you look around.

And for a cozy winter dinner: Carrot soup.

Swiss chard with potatoes and halal cheese (or make your own cheese). Roasted chestnuts with natural yogurt – you can even make the yogurt yourself.

The Spiritual Value of Food and the Role of the Mother

A garden isn’t just a place — it’s a lesson. It teaches patience, gratitude, and care. To live halal means to live consciously, in balance, aware of the divine origin of the food we eat.

Yet today, too many shopping carts are filled with plastic, fizzy drinks, and processed foods.

Nora’s Garden is a constant reminder that we can live differently. But to grow even the smallest garden, we must first cultivate something within ourselves.

A wild garden still needs tenderness and attention. The Qur’an teaches us that everything comes from God, not from an industry that manufactures toxic food. And within this reflection, the role of the mother is sacred: she gives life, nurtures it, and shapes the world through her care.

“First the mother, then the mother, and then the mother. Then the father.”(Hadith of Prophet Muhammad )

This hadith reminds us of the mother’s honored position: the one who nourishes, educates, and transforms. Yet too many Muslim mothers in Europe have stopped cooking their beautiful halal recipes, tempted by the illusion of convenience offered by ready-made meals.

But a mother is like the earth: she receives, transforms, and returns goodness — even when there isn’t much water. In Islamic tradition, her value is immeasurable and irreplaceable.

My invitation is simple yet profound: rediscover yourself through the earth. In a world that often undervalues mothers, remember how essential you are. Take a walk, visit a farmer, pick what nature offers. Read, learn, and most of all, cook with love: because every meal you prepare with your own hands nourishes not only your children but also your soul and your family’s wellbeing.

Feeding the body matters, but feeding the spirit matters even more. And the garden, the kitchen, and simplicity are the first steps toward living in harmony with God, with nature, and with ourselves.

Nora’s Garden is more than a garden: it’s a reminder to return to the essentials, to live with gratitude, and to choose a life that smells of earth, bread, and love.

Qur’an 2:233 (Al-Baqarah)

"Mothers shall breastfeed their children for two whole years, for those who wish to complete the term of nursing. The father must provide for them (the mothers) and clothe them in a fair manner. No soul shall be burdened beyond its capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor should a father because of his child. The same duty (of provision) is incumbent upon the father’s heir. But if, by mutual consent and consultation, they both decide to wean (the child), there is no blame on them. And if you decide to have your children nursed by someone else, there is no blame on you, provided you pay what you agreed upon in a fair manner. And be mindful of Allah, and know that Allah is All-Seeing of what you do."

Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has given mothers a gentle and honorable choice — to nurse their children for two full years if they wish, while ensuring they are supported and not burdened beyond their capacity. This verse beautifully balances compassion, fairness, and mutual respect between parents. It reminds us that every decision about a child should be made with love, consultation, and mindfulness of Allah. Therefore, while Allah has given flexibility, we should always strive to do our best — seeking what is most beneficial for the child, the mother, and the family, and doing so with sincerity and faith in Allah’s guidance.

Important:

Across the world, in nearly every culture and religion, the figure of the mother holds a central place. She represents nurturing, protection, guidance, and the very source of life.

In Aboriginal traditions, Mother Earth is seen as a life-giving force that sustains all living beings, reminding us of our responsibility to care for the natural world.

In the Vedas, goddesses like Aditi and Prithvi embody both cosmic and earthly motherhood, highlighting the divine role of creation and nurturing in the universe.

In the Torah, mothers are the heart of the family—they guide, nurture, and preserve faith, shaping not only their children but the generations that follow.

In Shintoism, figures such as Izanami, along with the maternal aspects of nature, symbolize fertility, creation, and protection, emphasizing the sacredness of life itself.

The Qur’an affirms and elevates this reverence for mothers. Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:15) highlights the immense sacrifices of mothers and links gratitude to them with devotion to Allah. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:233) underscores a mother’s rights, her choices, and the protection she deserves. In Islam, honoring and caring for one’s mother is not only a moral duty—it is a path to spiritual reward.

Across traditions, one truth stands clear: mothers are the pillars of life and the bridge between humanity and the divine.