.......and now He has gone..

I was awakened from my sleep at 3.45 this morning (UK Time) when the phone rang. It was from my wife. Allah's invitation on my father in-law finally came at 8.20am (Malaysian Time). Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi roji uun.

At least, I am happy that my wife is able to be with him for the last 3 weeks or so of his life. Born on Thursday 19 Feb.1925, (that makes him at the ripe old age of 83) the grand old-man have led a 'great life' I dare say... He was a cheerful but annoyingly playful individual especially with his grand-children. I can still remember my children's laughter and cries, begging him..'TokTan..!!..TokTan..!!.. show us your magic..!!..' The old man obligingly did all his best to amuse them, accompanied by his usual laughter, while the grandchildren giggled with awe... He was David Blaine of his era...!!. Ah.!.those were the bygone days..!!!..

I do find him strong-headed but very approachable and easy to be with, though. I have no complaints.

Looking back, I have a good relationship and memories of him - the trip to Cameron Highlands , to name a few, (when I was still courting his daughter then) or during the time when my wife and I accompanied him and his colleague - we called 'Wak Sarip' - travelling on the AMTRAK from South-East coast of the USA right up north to Toronto in the early 1990s, where they could continue their journey to Mid-West and West of USA, before embarking their last leg towards the Americas (He was on a World Tour by RAIL from Malaysia to Japan into China, before taking the Oriental Express from Beijing to Vladisvostock, down towards Central & Southern Europe, before embarking into the Middle-Easts towards Europe and crossing the English Channel before reaching London) or even the camping trip to Southern Europe including Morocco for 10 days..to name a few. His weakness is food and sing-along to the beats and rhythms of the Ghazal, Asli and Keroncong...... and so do I...

I believed I have been a good son in-law (my wife says 'perasan') or otherwise, may be. I pray for his passing with the best prayer and a good journey...daddy.. However, I remember him most, was the day of my wedding to his fourth daughter some 30-odd years ago. After the 'du'a' for the newly-weds, he asked for my hand and whilst holding it firmly he said:

"Nal.... daddy entrust you my daughter in your hands. Treat her well, in health and in wealth, in happiness and in sorrow, but when you have grown tired of her, please return her to me as you've taken her from me like today..!!."

Phew.!!..God willing..I promise to fulfill and honour him on this.

Thank you daddy... I will always uphold your trust and guidance. Forgive me for not being able to be with you as often or as near to you, as you may have wished for... Farewell Daddy..!!. your grandchildren will surely miss you..!!.. We all are... Allah will surely look after you...don't you ever worry...!!! Al-Fatehah..!!

** On that note, I would like to remind myself and all believers that no matter how long we live, we are mere mortals, placed on this earth only for a very short time.

The Qur'an says in Surah Al-Mukminuun (Chapter 23), verse 112~115:

"HE will say: 'What number of years did you stay on earth?' They will reply: 'We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account.' HE will say: 'You stayed but a little - if you had only known! Did you think that WE created you in jest, and that you would never be brought back to US?"
Thus, those who forget that this world is only a temporary place for trial. Those who are careless of God's signs ~ i.e those who are satisfied only with worldly play and amusements of this life and assume them as their own or those who deify them will surely deserve grievous penalty and God's anger.

The Holy Qur'an says: Surah An-Naazi'aat (Chapter 79 - verses 37~39):
"Then, as for him who transgresses all bounds; and prefers the life of this world - then surely Hell is the abode".

Let us remember as stated in the Holy Qur'an, Surah Ali-Imraan (Chapter 3. verse 14~15):
"Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; BUT in nearness to GOD is the best of the goals (to return to). Say: Shall I give you glad tidings far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their LORD, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home; with companions pure (and holy); and the good pleasure of GOD. For in GOD's sight are (all) his servants."

Robbana aatina fiddunnya hasanah, wafil aakhirati hassanah, wakina 'azaabannaar..