Ummakatiti Part 1 Complete Hausa Novel

My name is Ummukulthum Ibrahim, but I am better known as UMMAKATITI. I was born in the town of Jaji, located between Zaria and Kaduna. My younger sister, Hafsat—whom people call Manga—and I were the only children our parents had together.
After us, Allah did not bless them with any more children until our father passed away.
Our father’s real name was Ibrahim Musa. He lost his own father while he was still very young.
Our grandmother’s name was Ummukulthum. After her husband’s death, she did not return to her hometown because she no longer had anyone there. She was originally from Kankia in Katsina State, but bandits attacked the town and killed all her relatives.
Because of that tragedy, after losing her husband, she remained in Jaji and focused entirely on raising her son until he became old enough for marriage.
When the time came, she brought him the daughter of her close friend, Laure, whose name was Hassatu, and told him that she wanted him to marry her. He did not object. Since both families agreed, preparations were quickly made, and the wedding was held.
But fate had something else planned.
After two years of marriage, Hassatu had not become pregnant even once. This greatly worried our grandmother, and she became determined that Ibrahim must take a second wife.
He did not refuse, especially because there was already another woman he loved deeply—our mother, Maryam.
Grandmother did not conduct any lengthy investigations before approving the marriage, and preparations began immediately.
Soon, the wedding was celebrated, and the new bride was brought into Ibrahim’s house. She was given her own room alongside that of her co-wife, Hassatu.
By Allah’s grace, both wives were respectful, patient, obedient, and good-hearted women. Because of this, they lived together peacefully and harmoniously.
Not long after, Maryam became pregnant.
Their joy was indescribable. They thanked Allah endlessly for His blessing.
Hassatu struggled greatly to suppress the pain in her heart caused by her inability to conceive. Yet despite her sorrow, she devoted herself to taking care of Maryam and her pregnancy.
This increased her value and respect in the eyes of Ibrahim, his mother, and even Maryam herself.
They all continued caring for Maryam until the day she gave birth to a baby girl.
During the naming ceremony, the child was named after her paternal grandmother—Ummukulthum—but the people of the town fondly called her UMMAKATITI.
Three months after UMMAKATITI’s birth, Hassatu also became pregnant.
The happiness they felt was beyond words because they had already lost hope that she would ever conceive.
This time, Maryam worked tirelessly to care for Hassatu even more than Hassatu had cared for her during her own pregnancy. According to Maryam, she was simply repaying kindness with kindness.
Indeed, Hassatu received great care until she entered her final month of pregnancy.
As they waited for the delivery day, they constantly prayed and hoped for a safe birth.
Ever since Hassatu entered her final month, whenever she sat with Maryam, she would often say:
“Please, Maman Umma, take care of the child I am carrying and raise them well. Don’t love the child too much to the point that you fail to discipline them properly, because you are their mother—the one who will take care of them.”
She repeated such words every time they sat together privately.
Whenever she said this, Maryam would reply:
“Please stop worrying yourself. Insha Allah, you will give birth safely, and you yourself will raise your child and train them properly.”
Hassatu would only smile quietly whenever Maryam said that.
Then came a Thursday morning.
Before dawn, Hassatu went into labor. She struggled in pain throughout the day and into the night, but the baby would not come. The contractions grew severe as though she was about to deliver, then suddenly calmed again.
Seeing her condition worsen, Ibrahim rushed out at dawn to look for a car so they could take her to the hospital.
After much effort, he finally found a vehicle and hurried back home so they could leave immediately.
But while humans plan, Allah’s decree always prevails.
As soon as Ibrahim entered the house, he heard loud cries of sorrow. Instantly, fear gripped his heart.
And indeed, the terrible thing he feared had happened.
The moment he stepped inside, he was told the heartbreaking news: Hassatu had passed away together with the child in her womb.
They cried deeply and mourned the loss of such a righteous woman and her unborn child. But in the end, they accepted Allah’s decree and continued praying for them.