KEPALA BATAS: "I never expected to have a child at this age, but it's not because I'm 'strong'; it's by the grace of Allah SWT"
"The birth of my child is a gift and His will," said Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) retiree Yob Ahmad, who was blessed with a baby girl at the age of 80.
The child, named Nur, was born on May 31, the product of his marriage with Zaleha Zainul Abidin, 42.
Sharing his story, Yob said he didn't think too much about having a child because he was aware of his advanced age. He also already had four children from previous marriages.
"I surrender to Allah SWT because I can only strive, the rest is His will, His will that we cannot prevent. But when Allah SWT allowed my wife to conceive and have a child, I am very grateful and consider it a blessing.
"I hope the child grows up healthy and righteous, that's all," he said when contacted by Harian Metro.
Asked about his secret to staying healthy, Yob said he rarely exercises but does consume herbs.
"That's it, I don't eat and sleep much either because even at night, I prefer to spend time to 'zikir'," said Lob, who has seven grandchildren.
Meanwhile, his wife, Zaleha, said she and her husband never discussed the issue of offspring even though they had been married for 10 years.
Zaleha said she also didn't hope too much because she realised that age might be a hindrance to having children.
"I was pregnant five years ago but there was no luck after experiencing a miscarriage.
But when I found out I was really suprised when I found that I was pregnant again and the pregnancy was nearly three months along. I couldn't believe it because I thought I was already in menopause.
"But this is what we call fate, I am very grateful. My husband and even older children are excited as well because it has been a long time since they had a younger sibling," she said.
She has three children aged 12, 14, and 16 from previous marriages.
The arrival of the child was shared on social media platform TikTok, where it went viral.
Zaleha said her intention was merely to share memories and was surprised when her video went viral despite not having many followers on the platform.
"95 percent of the comments are positive, mostly from those who don't have children yet, and some even shared stories of their mothers giving birth in their 50s. "
She added there were one or two critics saying they thought it is a grandchild, but she said she accepted it because all this time she had only surrendered to Allah SWT regarding 'rezeki'.
"As far as Allah SWT wants to give, I accept it and hope that my sharing will inject spirit into those out there so they don't lose hope even if they haven't been blessed with offspring.
"Thank you to those who pray, and I hope that their good prayers will also return to them," she said at the Kepala Batas Hospital, here.