I never thought I’d hear a Hadith (prophetic narration) used as the voice over of a film trailer. But this wasn’t entirely unexpected for Bassma Tariq’s upcoming action thriller “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. For Muslims, the religious reference in the title is immediately recognizable. So what does it mean and is the religious reference on purpose?

What is “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” About?

Latif (Mahershala Ali) is a devout Muslim and a loving family man who also happens to be a contract killer. He has a strict code: he never uses guns and he only accepts targets the world would be better off without.

After his beloved wife dies, Latif resolves to end his criminal career and focus on caring for his three children — but his longtime employer Mike (Laith Nakli) has other plans. Latif is having a hard enough time finding breast milk for his baby girl and wants no part in Mike and cowboy Haun Yoon’s (John Cho) rapidly escalating feud but, as his bloodstained past comes back to haunt him, he may have no choice in the matter.

Muslim Creatives Behind “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother”

The star of the film is award-winning Mahershala Ali, a brilliant Muslim actor known for “Green Book” and “Moonlight.” He was set to star in the upcoming “Blade” movie which he recently confirmed to be cancelled. Interestingly, writer-director Bassam Tariq, who is also Muslim, was set to direct the Blade movie as well. He’s known for “Mogul Mowgli” and most recently “BAIT,” both of which he collaborated on with Riz Ahmed. His diverse projects highlight Muslim life, including co-founding a halal butcher shop and giving a TED talk titled “The beauty and diversity of Muslim life.”

The Muslim representation doesn’t end there. The cast includes Abubakr Ali (“A House of Dynamite” and “Anything’s Possible”) an Egyptian-American actor and Laith Nakli (“Ramy” and “Ms. Marvel”) a Syrian-British actor. Nakli plays Mike, Latif’s boss who gets in the way of his retirement plans. Abubakr Ali’s role is still unclear, although the trailer shows him working alongside Latif. Seemingly geting caught in the crosshairs between Latif, Mike, and Haun Yoon, he ends up tied to a chair and tortured. This brief encounter alludes to a pivotal moment in the film where Latif’s resolve, faith, and strict code get put to the test.

The film also stars John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Tramell Tillman, Tiffany Boone, Adia, and Jaheel Kamara.

Religious Teachings as Inspiration

So what does the Hadith actually mean? The prophetic narration goes like this:

A man came to the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad, ﷺ peace be upon him) and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Who is more deserving of my good companionship?”

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Your mother.”

The man asked: “Who is next?”

The Prophet said: “Your mother.”

The man asked again: “Who is next?”

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Your mother.”

The man asked a fourth time: “Who is next?”

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “And then your father.”

This Hadith (along with several others) is taught to Muslim children at a young age. It’s frequently sited to teach the importance of treating our parents with kindness and compassion. It’s a narration that Muslims know by heart. It shows the reverence and status that parents, especially mothers, have in Islam. Other narrations emphasize this as well, teaching Muslims that the path to paradise lies in the hands of our mothers, that the pain of a single contraction they endure in childbirth is enough to earn our respect, and in general, the responsibility men and the community at large have to protect women.

So when the title of the film was announced, every single Muslim knew the reference. And with the trailer, it’s clear that it not only has Islam at the core of the story, but is leaning into the importance of mothers in particular. With the number of Muslims involved on screen and behind the camera, this film may just give the Muslim community the representation we’ve been looking for from Hollywood for a long time.

Is This Film the “Muslim Blade”?

Are we finally getting the Blade team-up that never was? Ali and Tariq creating this film after the Blade movie failed to materialize has the internet calling “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” the “Muslim Blade.” And interestingly, there are a few similarities. Ali’s character Latif being a contract that follows a strict code and wields a sword does sound familiar.

But there’s another aspect to the film that’s equally important. Latif wants to leave the criminal world behind to care for his family, but his violent past comes back to haunt him. He’s left with no choice but to go after those who won’t let him retire in peace. Sound familiar? That’s right, John Wick! This is what his journey boils down to across the franchise’s four films.

However the novelty, and arguably one of the most interesting parts of Ali and Tariq’s film, is the main character grappling with his religious and moral dilemmas as a Muslim man, while fulfilling his duties as a father. Regardless of the similarities or possible influences, we’re finally getting a story from these two incredible creatives in a film that’s bound to leave audiences at the edge of their seats.

“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother” premieres at TIFF on September 12th with a general release in theaters this October.

Check out our guide for more films with Muslim, North African, Middle Eastern representation at TIFF to keep on your radar.