The Funeral, The Faith and The Foolish

During lunch, Dona ask me what is my entry for today. I said I don't know. Really, I have no topic for today and I am prepared for zero entry today as I am planning to sleep early. I slept at 2 a.m. last night.

But at 4.15 p.m. today while I was at the lobby of KL Sentral, the news about the passing of Hj. Abdul Manaf, Puan Halwah's beloved father reaches my ears. Puan Halwah has left earlier (about 3.00 p.m.) upon receiving a call from her husband that her father is in critical condition. I saw her eyes red. I would be the same, trust me.

With the help of Pn. Ramlah of HKL, I verified the news. I telephoned Hidaya and requested him to inform the staff in HQ while I immediately made my way to her home in Klang to pay my last respect and offer her family my deepest condolences.

Even though I am not familiar with Klang (plus bad sense of direction), I am confident that I will be able to find her house. While I was struggling to find her house, my phone rang and Pn Ramlah told me to go directly to the graveyard near HTAR, Klang as they are going to bury Arwah at 6 p.m. It was 5.57 p.m. Immediately, I dashed to the main road and head towards HTAR, Klang. I dont know how or what but I just found it at 6.10 p.m. It was a little late as they had finished the burial but the reading of Talqin is yet to be started. Alhamdulillah, it is still not too late. I had a glance of Puan Halwah. Her eyes swollen due to crying. Of course, she has just lost her father. But she is still strong enough to send and witness the last ritual of her late father. I suddenly imagine, how strong will I be if I have to go through the same? Whenever this thought came to my mind, I would immediately press the "not think about it button". I am lucky. I still have my parents. Eventhough, they are not in the pink of health but it is good enough for their age.

We exchanged look and she forced out a smile. I believe it is just her gesture of thank you for my presence. I acknowledged by nodding my head politely. She introduced me to her hubby, En. Kamal and Dr. Ghazi (her only brother). Her father in-law were also there. The reading of Talqin started. Strange, as I have listened to Talqin all my life but lately I always imagine that the Talqin is being read for me. I am the one lie inside my dark grave wearing only unsewn white cloth with some soft white cotton - wahai Abdul Razak ibni Saleha, wahai Abdul Razak ibni Saleha, wahai Abdul Razak ibni Saleha...

The reading of Talqin ended within 20 minutes. Some of the relatives, friends, neighbours started to leave the grave yard leaving Puan Halwah's and her closest family member there. I chose to stay a while longer to offer my short Surah prayers. Later, we had a quality chat. Two Radicare's HKL staff arrived and offered their condolences to Puan Halwah.

Suddenly I realised, that I am the only staff from HQ attended the funeral. I did not see any of her colleagues from HQ. Sigh...In my opinion, it would be good to see one if not few of her colleague to represent our esteemed organisation. At that point of time, I believe what she needs most is a moral support, word of wisdom, hugs and kisses (of course from same gender). Her father has left her and her entire family. He has left his home Jalan Seri Mersing for good.

I would like to touch a bit about how important for one to know one's priority. As for me, my priority once I heard of the news, is I want to be there as soon as possible. This is what I want to highlight : We are encourage to lend a helping hand to our Muslim brother and sister especially when they are in mourning. A "sedekah" in cash or kind to the bereaved family will come handy. In fact, to read phrases from Quran is also considered as sedekah. It is good to note that our company is kind enough to practise this. It is stated in our Employees Handbook that a contribution of RM500.00 will be given to the next of kin of the deceased should the "Death Certicifate (DC)" be presented by the respective staff to our Human Resources Department. In many cases, the contribution will be paid in a form of cheque within 2 weeks or so. I can still remember my former superior did not get any contribution as he did not provide the DC of his late father to the HRD. My point is, once any news about the passing of someone break in our office, to raise RM500.00 (immediately) as company's contribution to the deceased family is not a priority.

Sadly to mention, I heard in the office at around 5.50 p.m. my Muslim colleagues in Finance Department are busy digging their own pocket as to raise RM500.00 (as a company contribution) just because the custodian for the petty cash has left for home. I sigh again, what a pity, what kind of priority! The contribution from the company can be done later but raising a mere RM500.00 seems to be their number 1 priority that very evening. At about the same time, in Klang, the body of Arwah Hj. Abdul Manaf have reached his final resting place and by 6.10 p.m. we completed our final duty to him which is to give him a proper burial. Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly.

So, my question is : Does it worth all the fuss just to collect RM500.00 at that point of time? What is the value of RM500.00 to Puan Halwah and her family compare to your presence before the final ritual over?

I can say loudly that no amount of money in this world is great enough to compensate her losses.

As for her other missing friends and colleagues, I believe (actually, I hope) they are occupied with other important official / personal matter which is their priority during that time. My presence is not formal but more on a personal basis. Furthermore, we often talked about her father medical condition. I know quite a bit of his history and what he is suffering for. My only regret is I never attempted to visit him in hospital. I should have to. At least once. So, I thought this time I must not fail to fulfill my duty as a humble Muslim. After today, I will have no second chance. I also can remember the "pahala" granted to those who pay last respect to their dead Muslim brothers and involve in performing the last ritual until accompanying them to their grave is as big as Bukit Uhud. For those who has visited Medina and seen Bukit Uhud, they will know the size of Bukit Uhud. I have seen it and trust me, for a hill, the size is really big.

But again, I always understand Islam encourages their believer to practice sincerity at all time. No forcing. You perform good deed willingly and only for Allah - Lillahi Taala means because of Allah Taala.

At 7.15 p.m. I said good bye to Puan Halwah and her brother. I whispered to her to be patient and 'redha'. Remember to always 'doa' and pray for him. I left.

On the way home, I can't help but to wonder what's the feeling like of not having to see some one that you have spent almost all your life with. You will not be able to touch him, kiss him, caress him, consult him, not even a smell or a glance of him. You can just hope he comes into your dream as to encourage you to go on with our mortal life. Yes, life goes on but what's left now is only memories...sweet memories...

However, it is good to remember that every single thing we own is on loan by Allah S.W.T. I repeat, every single thing! He is the ultimate owner. So, sooner or later we have to return to Him and to answer all our doing, good or otherwise. The only thing, is, as it was written at the "Loh Mahfuz" we have to sent our beloved, Arwah Hj. Abdul Manaf earlier. We will follow him later, for sure. No doubt about it.

Reminder to myself "Be good to my dear parents when I still have the chance to do so as time is running out. It could be me sending them but it is not impossible is they were to send me first. Only Allah S.W.T. "Maha Mengetahui an Maha Berkuasa".

My condolences to Puan Halwah and her entire family and hope they stay strong to cope with their losses. My doa is "Semoga Allah S.W.T. merahmati rohnya dan diangkat serta ditempatkan bersama orang-orang yang soleh". Al-Fatehah. Amin