The 36-year-old from Sabah, who was confirmed to have cancer only seven months ago, had just undergone a major surgery to remove cancer cells afflicting his lungs on April 14, the second day of the fasting month.

But the challenges seem unending for him and his family, after Amin, his wife, his mother and mother-in-law as well as his son, Adam, contracted Covid-19.

It all started when Amin’s mother flew in from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur to be with him as he went for the cancer surgery – which was a matter of life and death.

But, just two weeks after arriving, she was the one fighting for her life after suddenly falling ill and being tested positive for Covid-19.

Amin and his family were in disbelief, as his beloved mother was 68 and suffered from heart issues, rendering her vulnerable to developing complications from the virus.

Without delay, the whole family got tested and his wife, who was the main pillar of the family due to Amin’s inability to continue working, was also found positive. Her mother tested positive for Covid-19, too.

His wife and mother-in-law were then picked up by an ambulance and sent to the low-risk treatment and quarantine centre at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) for 10 days.

Amin, who still required follow-up treatment for the 15cm-long wounds on his chest following the surgery, remained at home with his three children, with a myriad of questions about the future of his loved ones.

They were granted some temporary relief when Amin and Adam, as well as his two younger children – four-year-old Adelia and Aariz, who just turned three months old – tested negative on April 29.

But this relief was only temporary.

In their second tests conducted three days later, both Amin and Adam tested positive. Now, five out of seven of Amin’s family had contracted the virus. At midnight on that Saturday, Amin and his son were brought to Hospital Sungai Buloh for treatment.

Adam has mild autism and, for a father who was yet to fully recover from major surgery, taking care of a special child while his own health was under stress really tested his faith in God.

“Adam, we must fight together!” Amin told his eldest son, who was still in a daze having been woken up midway through the night to be brought to the hospital.

With his wife, mother and mother-in-law under quarantine in MAEPS, Amin had no choice but to ask a family friend to look after Aariz. Meanwhile, Adelia was taken care of by his sister-in-law, who came all the way from Raub to help bear the burdens that were on the family.

While admitted at Hospital Sungai Buloh, Adam kept a tranquil demeanour with Amin as they entered this new environment – almost as though he understood what his family was going through. He did not get emotional or make a fuss when surrounded by doctors and nurses in PPE.

Adam kept himself busy while going through life in the Covid-19 ward. He read books, memorised the multiplication table and did his own recreational activities within the confines of the room. In fact, it was Adam that strengthened his father’s and mother’s spirits in this trying time.

Watching Adam’s innocence and cheerfulness despite being stuck in a hospital gave Amin the vigour to fight not just cancer, but the pandemic, too. His son’s presence even brightened the days for the other patients in the ward also fighting the virus.

Thanks to the treatment administered and prayers offered, the doctors finally cleared Amin’s mother and his wife of Covid-19 on May 11.

On this first day of Raya, Amin and Adam are still undergoing treatment, although these trials have given them more courage and brought the family closer.

Celebrating Aidilfitri with those of similar fate at Hospital Sungai Buloh has changed Amin’s perception of the challenges that have cropped up for his family.

“If we feel that we’re being tested greatly, there are others who are going through greater trials, and that is where we gather the strength that we have lost,” he said.

He was confident that, despite these difficult times, there was “something big” that God wanted to give to the whole family. All he asks God for is that his family will be happy.

Amin expressed his gratitude to the health ministry staff who helped his family and other Covid-19 patients in braving through this difficult experience.

“Covid-19 is real, don’t doubt its existence. Only those who have experienced it know the depths of the suffering it brings,” he said.