In 1963, Sakina, my wife, had observed Moharram in Mumbai with Muqaddas Moulana. As soon as he gave Sakina raza to leave Bombay for Calcutta, he sent me a telegram stating that Sakina and Odad would reach on 14th Mohurrum. He sent!

The following year, when Sakina was expecting Luvai,Moulana was in Calcutta. The problem was that there was no room free in any reasonable nursing home in Bombay at that time. This was conveyed to Huzurala. He sent a message to approach a prominent nursing home in South Bombay where one room would always be reserved for members of his family. The doctor advised an operation for 24 September but Moulana did not give permission.

The family felt we should schedule the caesarian for 30 September. I was in Karachi and was asked to send Huzurala a telegram for raza. His reply was decisive: “DO NOT WORRY SAKINA WILL DELIVER NORMALLY.” On 8 October, a good fortnight after the doctor had recommended an urgent operation, Sakina gave birth to a baby boy. The amazing thing is that I received a telegram from Moulana (!) that said,” THANK GOD SAKINA DELIVERED NORMALLY A BABY BOY.” He had got the news even before the father had!

-         Shaikh Mohammedbhai Zoomkawala, Karachi