In the heart of the African continent, under the shadow of the towering Kilimanjaro peak, Rahma was born. She was an innocent child playing among the green fields of Tanzania, unaware that fate held for her the challenges that would shape and strengthen her. Her childhood was filled with a spirit of adventure and strength. Tanzania is a vast, sprawling land, where Rahma learned the value of a simple life and the hidden beauty in everything around her. Little did she know then that this inner strength would become her weapon in facing the greatest challenges of her life. At the age of five, Rahma moved with her family to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and her journey began in a new world filled with love, smiles, and games. She grew up in that city and graduated from high school with an honorable grade (88%). She dreamed of a university soaring above its skies, but fate had a different path for her. Rahma says of that stage: “I had hoped to complete my university studies, but due to special circumstances, I enrolled in a Quran memorization center for two years, and there I found my refuge and peace.” Rahma married and moved to Riyadh, where her husband worked, and bore four children. In 2018, she began to feel a small lump in her breast. She had a strange feeling: Was it just an illusion or the beginning of an impending storm? She had no idea.
Rahma says: “At first, I didn’t pay any attention to the lump, but I had a feeling it was cancer. However, I knew very little about this disease. Fate decided that I would be taken to the land of my ancestors, Yemen. I wept over the loss of my loved ones, but I found a warmth I hadn’t expected in Mukalla. The city welcomed me with its simplicity. My actual journey with the disease began.”
The lump began to grow, and she faced intense fear of the unknown. She went to Al-Burj Hospital, where oncologist Dr. Mohammed Baamer worked. He diagnosed her with cancer. Despite the shock, Rahma was able to find strength in her faith in God. She thanked her Lord for this ordeal, certain that God only tests His servant with what he can endure.
However, the joy of faith quickly turned to deep anxiety. The treatment Rahma needed was not available in Hadhramaut at the time, and the costs of travel and treatment abroad were beyond her financial means. She faced two bleak choices: surrender to her illness, or strive with all her might to obtain life-saving treatment.
At that difficult moment, the strength of her family emerged. Rahma’s husband stood by her like a rock, not hesitating to take out a loan from his workplace to finance her travel to Egypt. The funds he raised were barely enough to cover the costs of the trip and initial treatment. Rahma’s mother spared no effort in supporting her daughter morally and financially, donating everything she had to ensure her daughter received the best possible medical care.
Together, they resolved to face this challenge with strength and faith. The beginning of the journey was difficult, especially on her first night in the hospital before receiving her first dose of chemotherapy. She says, “I couldn’t sleep that night; fear and anxiety filled my heart. But I remembered God’s words: {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.} I said to myself, ‘This is God’s decree, and I believe in it and am content with it.’ I began to repeatedly remember God and seek forgiveness, and I resorted to the legitimate ruqyah (recitation). I felt a sense of peace creeping into my heart, and I knew that I would overcome this ordeal, God willing.” With each treatment session, Rahma strengthened her faith and became more certain that God was with her. Despite the side effects of treatment, such as hair loss, fatigue and exhaustion, nervousness, sleeplessness, and insomnia, Rahma maintained her smile and optimism. She didn’t let the disease control her life, but rather continued to live as normally as possible, with her family and children, who were her source of strength and happiness. Rahma recounts her mother’s support during this difficult period, recalling her memories: “While facing the challenges of illness, I drew strength from my mother’s love and prayers, as if she were my guardian angel. In every moment of weakness, my mother was my safe haven and my impregnable fortress. The touch of her warm hand was like the sun warming my heart, and her prayers were like rain watering my soul. In the darkest moments of illness, her words soothed my soul and instilled hope in my heart. I will never forget her sacrifices. Her love was a healing medicine for me and helped me overcome the ordeal. These words of love and loyalty were written for her: ‘My mother, the source of compassion, during my illness you were my safety. Your prayers pushed me forward, and I found compassion in your eyes.'”
After recovering, Rahma discovered that her illness had changed her outlook on life. She valued health and wellness more than ever before, and adhered to a healthy, well-planned diet to address her diabetes, a long-term side effect of treatment. She strengthened her connection to God and the Holy Quran, parts of which she had memorized. Not only that, but she also enrolled in the Institute of Islamic Studies.
She also acquired new craft skills by enrolling in vocational programs implemented by the Hadhramout Cancer Foundation, such as the accessory and resin making course and the gypsum candle making course. These courses helped her spend quality time and connect with people.
After her recovery, she developed a passion for reading, walking, and writing, through which she wrote: “Cancer taught me the value of life and health, and I realized that true happiness lies in contentment and satisfaction with what God has allotted us. I advise every patient to take care of themselves and not give in to sadness, for life is a trust we must protect. We must invest every moment to elevate ourselves and draw closer to God through remembrance and supplication. Faith in God is the most powerful weapon in the face of any calamity.” As for her message to every patient, she wrote: “I would like to say to every patient: You are stronger than you think. Illness is a difficult experience, but it is an opportunity to change your life for the better. Don’t let fear paralyze you, and don’t allow pain to steal your smile. Enjoy the beautiful moments and thank God for His many blessings. Remember that you are not alone; there are those who love and support you. Life is a journey full of challenges and twists, but it is an opportunity for growth and development. Every difficult experience we go through makes us stronger and wiser. Let your life be a success story, write its own chapters, and achieve your dreams and ambitions.”
Today, Rahma sits in her warm home, surrounded by her four children and supportive husband. She enjoys her housework and her favorite hobby: writing. After everything she has been through, she has become more appreciative of life and family. She believes that God tested her, but also rewarded her with good. From being just an ordinary housewife, she has become an inspiration to many and a success story that speaks of the power of faith and determination. #HandInHandWePlantHope