Many things to remember about mother

Remember when we shared some things about our father earlier as part of our family history reading? There are many things to remember about Umm. It will include the memories of not only ours, but also those of many who have been joined by Umma. I have been fortunate enough to experience and enjoy only a fraction of the lives of my father and mother. Undoubtedly, that period is the golden period of life.

A woman with only 4th class education. A great person who made his life to the height of success through his own reading and hard work. A brilliant woman who taught many people children’s lessons of the alphabet and recitation of the Qur’an and helped them to succeed in life. A woman who has no interest in material adornments. Thus, the adjectives that can be given to Umma are many.

My childhood memory starts from the time when I used to stay in Oomman’s old ancestral home in Puthur Ballur. The hilly area on its eastern side and the tamarind tree that used to be there are striking. Oomman’s three brothers lived there. Abdullah, Kunhimahin Kutti and Amu Muhammad we affectionately called them Big Ikkakka, Kutti Ikkakka and Amu Ikkakka respectively.

Apart from them, many family members of Umma lived in different areas of Puttur. Vaidyar Umboo Ikkakka in Kottakunn, Mammoochha in Taivalap, Vaidyar Abdullah, Panchath Ampachu Ikkakka and their brothers, Vaidyar Biranka and Echuikakka in Pannikunna were able to experience the love and affection of many family members on that day.

Umma raised goats and pigeons in abundance. If you leave it open in the morning, it should grow by itself in the evening. The pigeons used to come and fly away from the nest frequently during the day. Umm often said that she had a good income from raising goats. With self-earned merit. Uppa and Amu Ikkaka and Kutti Ikkaka were living in exile in Kuwait since my childhood.

Moving to a new home

At the age of four, in 1964, I bought uppa land in Chemnad Taivalap and moved there. Umma was very loving and close to the neighbors there. CT Hassan Kutty Haji’s co-wife, Chirakkal Antachan’s family, Anthrunjin’s family, KV Abdullah Master’s family, Umm was very close, loving and in good neighborly relation with everyone, whom we called Maanjwa.

The days when everyone lived in cooperation with each other. If any special food was made in one house, it would reach at least four neighboring houses. Today it has reduced to them. As a tragic result, happiness disappeared from the mind and depression increased. Another aim of this commemoration is to reclaim that heritage.

Mother nurtured loving relationships by giving everything. Sometimes, it can solve their problems. Otherwise, it can be a help for their marriage and childbirth. If not, they can drop any other burden. When Umm moved from Puthur to Chemna and later moved to Manal, the people in the neighborhood were very sad. Oomman’s life was held by them so much.

How the family was held together

Ummante’s Elama lived just a stone’s throw away from her house in Taivalapp. The place where Icha lives now. She was a widow as her husband died prematurely. Their only son CHB who was gifted in songwriting. He succumbed to death at the age of twenty-one. I remember my mother describing that death scene often. Umm took care of Elama like her own Umm.

Elama strengthened himself by rearing goats, treating them and teaching the Qur’an so as not to depend on anyone. Many children used to come to study the Qur’an in the morning and in the evening. When they come, they will also bring the plavila for the goat. The iron rod of the umbrella will be taken and it will be filled. Eye disease was rampant at that time. Elama also had the medicine for that.

Once a month, Pravish used to go to Umm’s old homestead, Puttur. I have been waiting for that day. The driver Muhammad Kunhi or Ibraichan was traveling in a taxi. If Umma is in Poothoor then it is a day of celebration there. That trip was with money in a bag on Oomman’s shoulder. To help the poor people of Panchath and Ballur. Visit everyone and return in the evening.

Umma took the uncle’s family as well. Uppa also had a widow, Elama. Their house was in Kezhur. They used to come and stay in our house from time to time. Umma and I would often go to Kiyur in a boat. We all used to go to the old man in Perimba from time to time.

Grandsons and nieces were also caught

Icha got married from Kanthal. We fondly call them Umm Anji Ammai. When Umm and Ummuma were sick, they took care of me and prepared food, and I can’t remember anything but gratitude. Later, Umm took the new daughters-in-law, Saujay, Waheeda, Suhrabi and Nahra, who came to our family. I was with Kutti Ikaka and Ampachu Ikaka who went to the opposite valley with advice to my younger sister Fatima. Thus Aziz also became a member of the family. Now our family is entering the third generation.

Let me give you an example of what Umm added: At that time there was very little traffic to Kanthal. It is only 30 km away and if you leave in the morning, you will arrive in the afternoon. Stay there for the night and return home the next day. I used to go there most of the time. When he goes there, he takes river fish wrapped in salt. Many things will be brought here and there.

After marriage, my wife, younger sisters Fatima and Rameeza were sent to Alia to study together, on Umma’s insistence. Can’t think of any way to send all three to college. Umm Tahajjud used to practice Namaz and Sunnah fasts. Umma took special care not to associate with sleep after Subahi. When it comes to cleanliness, no one can beat her. It’s still routine.

Relatives of working people

After settling in Taivalap, Arabicha worked regularly in our house for several years. The main work at that time was watering coconuts, farming, harvesting rice, and tending cows. Later, Damodaran, Kunhiraman, Mughal Khadarcha and Baikara Mammadni all served as permanent workers at various stages. Around thirty five laborers worked under Umma during the rice harvesting season.

Umm was strict about paying the workers before their sweat dried up. It’s a bit surprising when I remember how Umma handled it all so that it wasn’t exactly a complaint. If Uppa comes to the country, then Uppa will take over the affairs. Both of them had a passion for agriculture. When the rice was harvested, everyone would be called and entertained with fresh rice.

Great example of public service

Helping people and making them cry was a passion that ran in Umma’s blood. He played a major role in giving thali to many girls, both family members and non-family members. From my childhood till today, I do not remember my mother wearing a single piece of gold jewelry. But it is impossible to tell how much gold coins and jewels Umma handled. Achucha and Umpichha were a great help to Umm in the garden.

Those who approached Uman for things like housing construction, treatment and education were never sent away empty-handed. If the mother takes the initiative and talks about the marriage, the marriage will take place. Thus, Umma must have conducted more than a hundred marriages. I can’t remember anything except with gratitude that Mum has done everything for our marriage, from financial support.

Also expert in traditional medicine

Oomman’s family was a family related to physicians. That too the famous physicians of that time. Ayurvedic treatment and English medicines were equally good for the child. He used to carry many medicines in his pocket, to give to those who asked. It has been beneficial for all of us to have learned many of their treatment methods from Umma. It is common for children to have their hands removed from their shoulders. Umm will fix it soon.

The method of making different types of lehyas and kashaya, the way of making Dhanvantaram pill, all this was in Umma’s side. Brushing her teeth with coconut oil and rubbing her ears are her regular habits. Doubt it is done when there is a mood off. Now I am used to it. There is no doubt that it gives a great feeling.

Financial discipline

Umma, who found great joy in giving to others, was a staunch opponent of waste and extravagance. Umm did not like wastage of food, misuse of water and electricity. Lived with minimal expenses. Despite having money in hand, he spent it very cautiously. Eating at a hotel was not a good culture at that time.

When I was studying in 7th standard, Umm had severe headache. Umma used to soothe it by wrapping her head tightly with a cloth. Later, Umm had to stay in the hospital in Mangalore for several days due to severe stomach pain. Umma’s relative, Collector Abdullah Sahib, who was working there at that time, and her sister-in-law, Zubaidah Amami, provided all the help Umma needed.

Like children with children

Mother will play with small children like them. I often enjoyed playing with my daughter Manar, Ummun’s son Muhammad and Huda’s daughter Arwa. Ichant’s daughter, Khaulat, remembers playing with her mother and baking bread with sand when she was little. Umma also sang Ishal songs well.

When mom cooks food, it tastes different. Time has taken away our old food sources. Recapturing all of that is important for health care. Kalthappam, Korattipattal, Kadumbu, Manjachapala appam, Meenappam, Pattal dried and fried in oil, Chakkili, Batpattal, Paisapattal and so on are many dishes that Umma used to make. Today it’s all just memories. We too can be strengthened by following the beliefs and life values they upheld.

A model of excellence

If you do something, Umma has the determination to do it with the best. Otherwise they will say don’t do it. Most of the time, if you do it, you will be satisfied. In the technical language of Islam, this is called Ihsan. Along with Uppa, Umma also played a great role in establishing mosques and madrassas. It is necessary to continue their efforts.

There should be proper leadership in the family for that. Icha is worthy of it all. It is our responsibility to take forward the great institution founded by father and mother by forming a family trust. For our family to last forever, it is important to hold the family together and move forward together. It requires mutual goodwill, advice, compromise and broad-mindedness. Our future generation should grow up remembering this tradition.

In this way, the memories of Umma keep creating many memories in the mind. A great life that left many marks on the earth. The note is shortened for fear of widening. Apologies for leaving so many to miss. Make this blessed memory beautiful by sharing your experiences too. Let our future generation know and copy the characteristics of our family. May Allah accept the good deeds of father and mother and reward them accordingly. Let them and us enter paradise.