Source: Story recounted by Prof. Khalid Al-Jubeir, Consulting Cardiovascular Surgeon.
Emphasis and Lessons by Dr Mohamed Abdinoor Dahir, PhD.
The Story
Once, Prof. Khalid Al-Jubeir narrated an unforgettable experience:
He operated on a two-and-a-half-year-old child on a Tuesday. By Wednesday, the boy was recovering well. But by Thursday at 11:15 am, tragedy struck the child’s heart and breathing stopped.
For 45 minutes, the doctor massaged the child’s heart until, by Allah’s decree, it finally began beating again.
When he informed the mother about her son’s critical state, she did not break down or complain. She simply said:
“Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah).”
Days later, the child relapsed six times with cardiac arrest. Each time, the mother remained calm and patient, supplicating to Allah:
“O Allah, if there is good in his recovery, then cure him.”
The ordeal lasted over six months, involving complications like abscesses, blood poisoning, and near-death episodes. Still, the mother never wavered in patience.
Finally, the child recovered completely, healthy, playful, and racing with his mother as if nothing had happened.
But what truly moved the doctor was not the child’s recovery, but the character of his mother. After 17 years of infertility, this was her firstborn. Despite every test and hardship, she showed unshakable faith, patience, and dignity.
Her husband revealed:
“For 19 years of marriage, she has never missed her night prayers without excuse. She never gossiped, lied, or backbit. She welcomes me with kindness every time I leave or return home. Because of her noble character, I am shy to even lift my eyes to look at her.”
The doctor concluded:
“And the likes of her truly deserve that from you.”
Qur’anic Reminder
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient; who, when calamity strikes them, say: ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’ Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are rightly guided.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 155-157)
Prophetic Teaching
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no Muslim who is stricken by a calamity and says: ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with that which is better’ ~ except that Allah will grant him something better in exchange.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Life Lessons
- Patience is Strength: Like the mother in this story, Kenyans often face hardships: drought, joblessness, illness, or corruption. True strength is not shouting or breaking down, but enduring with faith and dignity.
- Faith Sustains Us: Just as farmers in Ulu wait patiently for rain, this mother waited on Allah’s mercy. Faith teaches us that no struggle is wasted before God.
- Marriage is About Character, Not Just Beauty: Many admire flashy lifestyles. But this man respected his wife so much that he felt shy to even look at her, not because of wealth or beauty, but because of her faith and character.
- A Mother’s Heart is Powerful: Every mother, like this woman, are often the backbone of families. They endure silently, hold homes together, and remain hopeful even when circumstances seem impossible.
- Every Test Has Wisdom: Life may seem unfair, but patience often brings blessings. Just as this family waited 17 years for a child, many Kenyans struggling with delayed dreams should know God’s timing is perfect.
- Choose Your Partner Well: A good marriage is not about finding someone rich or popular, but someone who lifts you spiritually, prays for you, and strengthens your home.
Takeaways:
When life tests you, whether through poverty, sickness, delayed success, or strained marriages, respond with patience, faith, and dignity. Just like rain eventually falls on dry land, blessings too will come with time.