ANOTHER FUNERAL, ANOTHER SOBBING, ANOTHER GATHERING - PART II

Alhamdulillah, Asnah transformed herself. I don't remember which year but she really transformed like the Transformer. Better in every sense of the word.

It was Monday. All of us were shocked when she turned up to work in baju kurong and mini telekong. A new Asnah is born. Alhamdulillah. "Nur Iman" has entered her heart. Asnah achieved what she wants to be.

In fact many year before that she always told me that she wants to improve herself. She wants to change to be a better Asnah. As far as I can remember, I supported her 100% eventhough I missed a bit of the old Asnah.

Asnah is closer to my Singapore family especially Makcik Tom and her huband, my Pakcik Selamat. In fact, during one of their family holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Asnah offered her house to be their "hotel". She said why waste money to stay in the hotels? They accepted the offer. I still remember that was one memorable holiday for my Singapore family. They went marketing, cook, eat, talk, laugh, teasing each other, etc. To reciprocate, when I went down to Singapore to lead my bowling team during one Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Sports Meet, we did not stay in the hotel. Asnah, Datin Noorsiah, Nellie stayed in their HDB flat. Another happy reunion.

I must confess that actually I grow fond of her. If that time I am a little older and she is a little younger, I would have marry her. As a man I could feel that she also likes me. But, she is not meant for me.

Not much later after her transformation, she married Ustaz Munawir for few years before her husband died (vehicle accident in Holy Land Medina). She became widow and never re-marry. She carries the title to her grave on Sept 5, 2007.

When I left the bank in 1997. She still working there until her resignation few years later quoting she wants to help her husband running his Umrah package business. After her husband died, she thought of leave Kuala Lumpur for good and to settle down in Johore Bharu. What Allah is the Greatest Planner. She came back few years ago.

Asnah really repented (taubat) since her transformation day. As far as I could remember never at any point of time she goes against her husband’s order. At times, I thought she just follow his order blindly but whom am I to protest? Her husband is her main door to Heaven. It is logical for her to listen to him.

I would like to mention here that for women, you are guaranteed heaven if you follow this three simple things – “tutup dan jaga aurat, buat semua suruhan Allah S.W.T. dan tinggalkan apa yang dilarang (seperti yang dituliskan dalam Al-Quran dan Hadis Nabi Muhammad SAW) dan taat pada suami jika berkahwin atau pada ibu jika tidak bersuami”. That is what Asnah been practising since then and until she left us on September 5, 2007.

She is a beloved sister to 8 of her siblings. She make sure that there are not for behind her. She would do whatever possible to help them whenever the need arises. I would'nt mind to have her as my sister too....

End of May 2007, she went for a medical check-up. She is being diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at a very advance stage. She need to go for an operation. She went through the very risky operation in early August 2007. She did not do well. One week before her passing her health seem to be improving. She manage to talk a little, as for forgiveness, to whoever came to see her. Sadly, I did not have the chance to speak to her during her last one week. Fated not to. I was in Jakarta.

After 6 weeks in University Hospital, Allah S.W.T. took what He created and own. Asnah left us at 4.15 a.m. on September 5, 2007.

Now Asnah Abu add a title to her name. Allahyarhamah Asnah Abu. I used to teased her that she is only double AA (means not good enough la) but now she is AAA. Triple A. What is better than triple A?

Allahyarhamah Asnah Abu will forever be remembered, by all her friend and for sure, me. She will be missed. My doa I would be seeing her later - after the Greatest Judgement Day.

"Ya Allah, jika saudaraku Asnah Abu ada melakukan kesalahan pada Mu, aku mohon Kau ampunkanlah kesalahannya, Kau rahmatilah rohnya, Kau lapangkan dan terangkan lah kuburnya dan kumpulkan rohnya bersama orang-orang yang Soleh dan Solehah". Amin.

This is my final part of of my dearest friend, Allahyarhamah Asnah Abu.

Al-Fatehah. Amin.