My Mother

My Mother

My mother, Rukaya Bai was beautiful but from a poor family of Cochin whereas my Father Essa Ahamed Sait, BA BL was from a reasonably rich family of Kayamkulum. It was a love marriage at that time in 1936. Marriage was conducted in Hajee Essa Hajee Moosa Memorial High School, Cochin. Till 1954 they had a luxurious life as my father was having good income. But afterwards due to loss of money and failure in assembly election he became depressed and could not concentrate in the work. After wandering in Malabar we were brought to Kayamkulum by my Gr father in 1955.

My mother had 13 children but 5 died in childhood. Due to the continuous delivery and tension my mother got Asthma which persisted till her death. My mother was good in cooking and she could even make Urdu poems and sing in our relatives marriages including that of my daughter.

My mother gave religious instructions and guidance to us all. She used to wake me up in the early morning for studies. My mother was very font of me but since most of our relatives were in Cochin, she preferred to stay in Cochin but visited me frequently at Quilon. Mostly my mother stayed with my second sister Noorjahan of Cochin. My sister's financial condition was bad and my mother used to give her a portion of whatever we sent monthly.

My father was affected by throat cancer in 1974 big and taken to Madras cancer institue by my brother who was there. My mother went and was fully with him in the hospital caring and consoling him. Doctors finally said nothing could be done and they are brought back to Cochin. Full family came to Cochin and my father died in the presence of all by 20 Sep 1974. My mother died 17 years after that.

My mother's life was full of silent sacrifices. When I went to Bombay I entrusted my first daughter to her. She then brought her to Poona where my elder brother was working. Then all came to Bombay stayed with us for some days and left my daughter with us.

My mother used to help all relatives and others to the extent possible and liked by all. My mother was afraid of going to my younger brother in Madras as she was telling that if she dies there, her poor relatives may not be able come.

My mother was with me for about 6 months in Quilon for my sons marriage and then to see me off to Muscat in 1991. My mother was sad when I was leaving, I consoled her. After I left my mother went to Madras for Cataract operation, but when they tested her blood sugar, it was very high. Eventually she went on a coma and died just 3 weeks after my departure. My brother arranged for most of the relatives to reach Madras. But I could not go and attend the burial. This is the most unlucky part of those working abroad.

May Allah, the Almighty God forgive whatever mistakes happened knowingly or unknowingly by her and admit my mother in Jannath Aameen. May Allah make us all to see her also in Jannath Aameen.


Dr.Mohamed Ali Essa