Tales of Mothers: The Greatest Love

by Raudah Yunus (Editor), Mahmudul Hasan (Editor)

There are a few things in life that cannot be achieved by women. One of them is being a perfect mother. And that is a bitter reality every mother has to swallow. But the moment a mother is present when her children need her the most, she has transformed into a perfect mother in the eyes of her sons and daughters. Tales of Mothers: The Greatest Love is a compilation of eight real-life stories about the ups and downs of motherhood.
The stories were compiled and edited by Raudah Yunus, a Malaysian writer who is also a medical doctor with the help of her husband, Md Mahmudul Hasan, who lectures at International Islamic University Malaysia.
One of the stories tells the struggles faced by Nusrat, a Bangladeshi woman who both of her sons were born with their own medical conditions: the eldest and the youngest ones were diagnosed with autism and laryngomalacia respectively. After Sunan, the eldest one was diagnosed, Nusrat and her husband decided to leave the comfort of their homes to seek a better life for Sunan. Her story tells us how, with courage and faith, she keeps striving to give her sons a life that filled with nothing, but happiness.
A mother of three, Zaahirah eventually made a life-changing decision. She would be a stay-at-home mother at least for a couple of years. Having qualified as a doctor and being previously known as ambitious and competitive, Zaahirah found the other side of life as a mother, which she never regrets. Here she tells her story of raising three kids in Britain and shares her understanding of early childhood education.
Along with the stories, Tales of Mothers also feature three articles written by experts, discussing the topic of parenting, working mothers and special children. The book was also reviewed by two individuals: a well-known British-Pakistani novelist and scriptwriter, Qaisra Shahraz, who is the author of a book titled The Holy Woman and Adlil Rajiah, a Malaysian parenting blogger.
Rest assured that these eight mothers' journeys of love, hope and fear will inspire other mothers and will give new insight to curious readers.

Genres: Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2015

Reviews

[Fatini Zulkifli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pernah tak baca buku yang mengandungi koleksi cerpen dan rasa puas hati dengan 3 atau 4 cerpen sahaja? Buku ini tidak. Setiap cerpen dapat lima bintang. Semalam jumpa Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmud dekat bank. Senyum simpul dia bila tunjukkan saya baca buku ini, buku hasil kolaborasi beliau dan lapan penulis. Dr. Mahmud tulis bahagian Reaffirming and Celebrating Motherhood.

Kita tahu ibu itu mulia. Slogan yang ada dimana-mana. Buku ini menceritakan kenapa dan bagaimana mereka berkorban. Bukan senang menyambung master dan PhD di luar negara sambil jaga anak tiga-empat orang. Naik bukit dalam keadaan sarat mengandung untuk hantar anak ke tadika. Bukan senang nak buka tadika, diceraikan suami dan mendidik anak-anak sendiri tanpa ayah. Bukan senang ulang-alik dari Bangladesh-Malaysia-Singapore untuk cari rawatan untuk dua orang anak yang abangnya ada autistik, adiknya ada sakit tangan kaki dan mulut kemudian, angioedema, lumphedema. Bukan senang untuk berhenti jadi doktor untuk membantu suami sambung PhD di luar negara dan jadi ibu sepenuh masa.

Kisah-kisah dalam buku ini mengangkat status ibu dalam Islam disaat mereka dihujani kata-kata feminis barat untuk keluar dari rumah, dapatkan kebebasan dan meninggalkan anak-anak di rumah dengan gajet dan duit tanpa sokongan moral dan kasih sayang.

[ismisyahida · Rating 4 out of 5]

membaca dari pengalaman orang lain adalah sesuatu yang menginspirasikan. cerita cerita yang ditulis dari hati pastinya akan sampai ke hati pembacanya juga. benar komen kawan, bila dah mula membaca buku ni, susah nak berhenti.

terima kasih untuk multiple authors dalam tales of mothers.

"if i were to raise strong children, i have to be the first to remain resilient in facing life difficulties."
- page 77

[Aina Hilmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

"God is the best of creators and out of His supreme intelligence, He made woman great multi-taskers." - Dr Putri Afzan Maria.

Tales of Mothers.
INSPIRING...

[ilafahmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real spirit booster!

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly inspired a mother like me..

[Ayda Razak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a few stories from multiple authors. They shared their life experiences, the work-family balance, the beautiful yet challenging life and their wisdoms. I'm not a mother, not even a wife yet, but yes, this book is good to read.

[Ain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit reluctant to read it initially.
Rasa tak sesuai. I’m not a mother yet and tak nampak bayang nak jadi mak lagi pun 🤣
Worth reading. Lovely and inspiring stories 🥰
I could just say - this is not only for mothers - it is inspiring stories for all woman out there - even you are childless like me 😌

Quotes and point taken :

“ life is not an easy path to follow. Obstacles are bound to happen,regardless of how ‘perfect’ you try to make your life.” - Putri Afzan Maria Zulkifli -

“ It is very important to not simply follow the crowd and believe that my life has to be like everyone else’s. Being happy and successful does not necessarily mean life has to be lavish ; rather what is important is that I live within my means and find contentment in it “ - Putri Afzan Maria Zulkifli-

“ Minimize your complaints and maximize your practical efforts ! “ - Putri Afzan Maria Zulkifli -

“ Why should I let the pain of one season destroy the joy of the rest? If I give up when it’s winter,I will miss the promise of spring, the beauty of summer and the fulfilment of fall “ - Sarah Ibraheem-

“ There are things which are beyond our control,and we have to leave them to God. Our duty is to give our best and let God decide the rest “ - Mardhiyyah Sahri-

“ God has bestowed on women incredible patience and unfailing loves as well as the willingness and ability to undergo hardship and sacrifice for the sake of the families”
-Md. Mahmudul Hasan-

[Liyana Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

" A mother may not possess the strength of a warrior who has the ability to kill, damage and destroy. But her selflessness, devotion and sacrifice fas surpass the measurement of physical strength. Her ultimate beauty lies in her ability to unconditionally love, and her real strength is her natural tendency to nurture and persevere. This is the most powerful life-giving force among human beings "

This book, is a keeper! It's a compilation of real life events of mothers out there, facing different challenges in life. From juggling work versus family, to facing struggles in between society and mixing love, heartache, pain and joy of everyday challenges.

Mothers, go grab it! Worth to be re-read whenever motherhood beats you a little hard.

"A mother is she who can take place of all others, but whose place no one else can take."

[Atiqah Ghazali AlKashif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Began reading it on May 14th but many things have interrupted my reading. Thus, on May 19th, I made myself a mug of tea and read this book in one seating until I finished it.

This book, some of the stories are still echoing in my mind. The adopted Adam, the heaven's child Izz; hmm. Story by Mardhiyyah Sahri made me cry. Cried like a baby.

Although some of the stories are quite dry with straight-forward prose, it still has the impact. I recommend this book for everyone, for those who have the eyes to see the every detail of motherhood.

[Saidah Nordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a mother yet, but I have a lovely mother and I can relate. A mother is a selfless, loving human being who sacrifice many of their wants and needs for the wants and needs of their children. They will do everything for the sake of her family. This book have a different story from a different authors. They share their life as a mother, the challenge and how the manage to be a supermom with wisdom.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book. It’s a compilation of each woman’s journey in motherhood. It’s really inspiring for each have their own unique set of tests. I like that each one of the mothers one way or another relate back to islam. I especially like those that shared their exposure on early childhood learning. I think this book should be read by fathers, husbands, brothers, soon to be mothers, employers, teens, basically everyone!

[Ed Ner'S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kisah-kisah yang sangat memberi inspirasi untuk yang baru nk jadi parenting.
pendapat saya, kalau saya tak ada bahan nak baca. saya akan baca buku ini berkali-kali, sebab sangat memberi impak kepada saya.. saya da baca buku ini lebih dari 5kali.. sebab saya rasa sangat terinspirasi dengan kisah2 yang ada dlm buku ini.. semoga bermanfaat kepada anda semua.

[Sabrina Wazir · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you thought that this book tells about a motherhood scarifying journey in raising kids, you are wrong. For me this book is just bragging about the author who continued her study in addition being a mother.

Less emotion and I skipped most of the pages.

I did not finished this book as I feel that trying to finish a boring book is a waste of time.

[Wan Nor Hanifah Hidayah Hanifah Hidayah Wan Kamaruddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini sedikit sebanyak membuka mata saya betapa besarnya pengorbanan seorang ibu.

Bagi yang sedang bergelar ibu, buku ini boleh jadi penguat anda.

Bagi yang belum bergelar ibu, buku ini dapat dijadikan panduan dan persediaan awal untuk menjadi seorang ibu.

[Taqiyyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sesungguhnya tugas ibu sungguh mulia. Bukan hanya terhenti selepas melahirkan zuriat tetapi menjaga dan mendidik sehingga anak tersebut boleh berdikari. Terinspirasi dengan perkongsian kisah ibu2 hebat yang menghadapi pelbagai dugaan dalam mengharungi fasa motherhood.

[Aisyah Syahira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Membaca kisah-kisah inspirasi dari ibu pelbagai latar belakang dan cerita berserta cabaran-cabaran berbeza membuatkan diri muhasabah tentang segala nikmat yang perlu disyukuri dan tentang amanah anak yang perlu dipikul dengan sebaik-baiknya.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

recommended 👍

[Vanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing motherhood real stories ..the struggle of motherhood no wonder mothers are angels on earth

[Zaheera Zaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good & inspiring book!

[Alison]

Same old stories over and OVER again..

[Ain W · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true inspirational compilation of eight stories with their uniqueness journey in motherhood. Kudos to all!

[Muhammad Fadzil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother, You showed me something that I couldn't see and opened my eyes and you made me believe

[budu kicap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ibu2 yang berkongsi kisah2 mereka membesarkan anak2 mereka. Pelbagai cabaran dan dugaan yg dihadapi oleh mereka. Kisah2 yg penuh inspirasi dan pengajaran buat kita semua.

[MamaErra · Rating 5 out of 5]

All moms out there, this is the book you can read when you need a booster in a motherhood world.

[Aiza Idris (biblio_mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight mothers, wrote eight genuine stories about not just the bright side of motherhood, but mostly the turbulences. Reading these heart-broken and heart-warming stories stirs all the emotions in me. I found myself smiling and crying at the same time and stopped to ponder about all of the unpleasant things I went through which I thought is the worst. But if to take these stories as a comparison, mine is just a glimpse of what they went or going through. “Fabiayyi alaa irobbikumaa tukadzibaan, Aiza?”, I found myself questioning me.

Its a motivation to strive to be a better mother, and its a celebration as a thank and pat on a back for always trying to be one. Faezah Rokhani wrote “My life story, it may not be the best or most inspiring of all, but I hope it will be at least be a driving force for readers (especially mothers) to keep going, and not lose hope, no matter how big the challenges we face in life are.”

Moms, you deserves this.

[neeza zainal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

[CikguKaykayAlkhair · Rating 5 out of 5]

being a mom myself, it is very inspire to know how moms in this book cope themselves in the life storm. From the story of cheated husband, disable child, student-mother, adoption, divorce, struggling in finding home, twin baby died and the one who survive have a decease, and stay at home mom. The best thing is all of the stories is based on real life!

there also several tips as a parent in challenging era. i recommend all mothers to read this book so that you feel motivated in being a supermom.

[Arinah Zainordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very inspired with these motherhood stories. And we thought that these stories only existed in the movies. But it's not. It's real.

Amazing job to kak Raudah Yunus, other writers and also Iman Publication!

[haila fatiha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories of mothers who have gone through trials and tribulations while looking after their children but never failed the test of motherhood nor give up on them.Only mother's can give such unstinted attention to their kids. Love you Mak

[Fatin Syamimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud to be part of this book :)