Selamat Hari Raya

On this blessed day, I humbly seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanallah for my late parents, my parents in-law ,my late elder brother Emran, my late relatives near and far, and friends who have gone forever. May Allah bless their souls and and have compassion for them as they had been compassionate to us in their life time. On this day too, I sincerely seek forgiveness from my wife, children and loved ones who I may have hurt, offended or slighted in any way. I say these things every year, and then I forget and start being nasty and harsh. But it has to be said. Like a reminder. One way would be, is to put myself in their place and I might see what I have done. May Allah guide me the right way. Milah, I love you and the children very much. I will never let you be hurt, ever. Please forgive this cranky old man. Selamat hari raya everybody.

Ba'in and his Honey

Some time in the early 1940s. Ba'in (Ibrahim) was coming home to Penang for his vacation. He was so eager to see his mum and siblings again after some time. He was posted in the Singapore PWD as a draftsman. There was so much news he wanted to hear about his family. How his mum is coping with the family. He was very keen to see his little brother Naim's girlfriend ,Yon, whom he has heard so much about. One day they, Ba'in,Naim, and Rahim (Naim's buddy) cycled from their Jelutong home (Kurau Road,off Perak Road) to Yon's house in Western Road ( facing the psychiatric ward of the Penang GH). Having met Yon, he was introduced to two other girls (Yon's sisters). There was Z (Zohara) who was Rahim's girl , and the eldest one was Haniffa. They were all beautiful girls, but Ba'in was melted by Haniffa's classic looks and gentle ways. When he went back to Singapore, he couldn't stop thinking about Haniffa (or Honey as he called her). He would send ' epistles' ( those days people don't call or sms, they write letters called epistles). Naim and Rahim were his despatchers (postmen). It was the Japanese Occupation, and out-of-control Japanese soldiers were misbehaving and put fear in the hearts of parents with young daughters. The girls' father Azyze accepted Ba'in's suit and so Ba'in and Honey were married in 1943. The other sisters married later on. And so began Ba'in and Honey's life together. It would last for 25 years. But Honey stayed true to the love of her life for 46 years until her own death. That's our mum, Honey. A most gracious and loving soul there ever was. May Allah bless your souls Mak and Bapak. Happy Birthday Honey.We miss you.

There is 'Hikmah'

We are almost two weeks into the fasting month. Its quite an effort to restrain yourself from those little tiffs with the missus and the kids. Some times an off-remark or so can lead to a high decibel debate. That would taint our 'pahala puasa' wouldn't it ? To be fair to them, they can get uptight too at times. This is to be expected when we are tired and hungry ... and sleepy . I'm sorry if I have hurt or offended them. I am very impressed with my son Fadzlil. He is a role model for 'puasa slackers'. Despite his disabilities, he goes thru the day just like any abled person. Ever since his unfortunate accident some years ago, he didn't fast for the first two years. I paid his 'fidyah' at one of the pondoks in the neighboring kampung. This is his 3rd year of fasting since the accident. This year, Raya is very special to him.His birthday falls on the second day of Raya (Oct.25). Every day, tiringly to our poor ears, he drops broad hints like asking, how many more days to Raya ? People ask why I don't get around much anymore. Would they understand that I ,or somebody has to be around Fadzlil at all times to make him comfortable, swat a mosqito ,give a scratch, change tv channels, give him a drink. Milah will take care of the feeding. He doesn't like my feeding style.He says I'm messy. My special task is in the icky and yucky chores. We only get relief when his brothers are home. He didn't ask to be this way. If he could, he would not ask for help. We should feel his disappointments, his frustrations, his hopes and desires. He had everything to look out for, his star was shining bright. Has it all gone ? Look at him now. I still see the glitter in his eyes. The brave and stubborn jut of his jaw. Feel the love and glow in his heart. His fight is not over yet. He is not down yet. His mind is still sharp as ever. He can still out-talk you. His body may be broken, but his spirit is not. We should not look at his unfortunate incident as a calamity but as a reminder. Believe that there is 'Hikmah' or God's 'hidden ' blessings behind every incident. Insha'Allah.