Devotion To Mother Paves Way For Visually Impaired Woman To Perform Haj

From Amirul Mohd Sajadi

MADINAH, April 22 (Bernama) -- Devoting herself to caring for her mother with deep love and compassion, despite being visually impaired since childhood, is believed to be the ‘asbab’ (cause) behind Siti Hadijah Abu Bakar being chosen as a guest of Allah for this year’s haj season.

For the 50-year-old woman, the opportunity to set foot in the Holy Land is more than just a blessing. She believes the call to perform the fifth pillar of Islam is a mercy granted through a mother’s prayers that have never ceased.

“I truly never expected to be able to come here. I believe all of this is by the will of Allah,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion when met by reporters here on Wednesday.

Born into a modest family, Siti Hadijah, fondly known as ‘Kak Jah’, shared her poignant story of eight siblings, six of whom are visually impaired.

Yet, her limitations never became an excuse to neglect her responsibility in caring for her mother, while also raising her five children.

“I have only carried out my duty as a daughter by caring for my mother. I do not seek any reward for doing so - let Allah be the one to reward me,” she said.

Even more touching, Siti Hadijah’s sacred journey is accompanied by someone not bound by blood, yet who has become her ‘eyes and ears’ throughout her time in the Holy Land.

The individual, Nur Asma A Samat, 40, is the headmistress of Pusat Tahfiz Al-Hidayah on Jalan Gurney, Kuala Lumpur, where Siti Hadijah’s children study.

What began as a relationship between a parent and a teacher later blossomed into a close friendship, eventually leading them to undertake the pilgrimage together.

“If not for her help, I might not have made it here,” said Nur Asma.

Nur Asma described the opportunity to accompany Siti Hadijah as both a divine arrangement and a great responsibility entrusted by Allah, after her long-held wish to perform the haj since 2017 was finally fulfilled following her third appeal this year.

“Alhamdulillah, our appeal was accepted, and I believe it may also be due to Kak Jah’s good deeds that Allah has opened the way for us to be here,” she said.

-- BERNAMA