[4] Born on 25 February 1966 to a poor Mappila family in a remote village, Vellilakkadu, in the district of Malappuram in Kerala as the daughter of a smalltime ration shopowner, Rabiya did her initial studies at Tirurangadi High School before pursuing her graduation at the PSMO College, Tirurangadi.

Though her work deteriorated her physical condition, she moved forward, garnering support from both the public at large and the authorities.

In June 1992, state authorities and officials visited her classroom and were surprised to see a child of 8 studying alongside an 80-year-old woman.

Its activities also include inspiring public awareness against alcoholism, dowry, family feuds, superstition, and communalism.

[5][6][7] She also involved herself in the "Akshaya: Bridging the Digital Divide" project that made 'Malappuram the first E-Literate district in India.

She slipped on the floor of her bathroom breaking her spinal vertebral column and bringing her movements to a virtual halt.

As she lay on the waterbed, trying to cope with the pain and inability, she started writing her memories on pages of notebooks using colored pencils.

[11] An earlier collection of her memoirs Mouna Nombarangal (Silent Tears) had been released by the Chief Minister of Kerala V. S. Achuthanandan on 26 October 2006.

[11] A biographic film entitled "Rabiya Moves", was made by director Ali Akbar and was noted for its motivational content and translated into 14 languages.

She was the first recipient of Kannagi Devi Stree Shakti Puraskar in 2000 instituted by the Child Welfare Department of the Government of India.

A devout Muslim, Rabiya devotes a lot of her time reading the Quran and ascribes the credit for her success to God.