Heart and Soul: Father was my hero, but Mother was my superhero

Cheragh Bibi Rahmat Ali, or Bibi, as she was fondly called. Photo: RAFIQUE SHER MOHAMED

In 2011, I was in Makkah performing Haj with my wife and eldest son when I received a message that mother, then 88, had had a stroke and was in critical condition in hospital.

All rituals had been completed and while waiting to return to Malaysia, we prayed fervently in the Masjid al Haram for mother’s speedy recovery and hoped we would not be too late. Our trip as guests of the Almighty had to be cut short but Paradise lies under the feet of our mothers.