Saudaraku... My Kins...
Yesterday was a happy day. Kak Lily and her ray of light, Abang Razak, came to visit si botak with dishes for lunch. There were carcass soup, fried chicken, sambal belacan and apples. They were all so delicious. (please don't be jealous ya... :P)
Dearest Kak Lily and husband, we in this humble hut felt so blessed and lucky to be able to taste your cookings and abang's love.
Two years ago, Kekanda Tikus' 'raiment' ( do refer to Al-Baqarah ; 187 ) had been succumbed to the raging lust and almost caused an abominable act as conducted during the dark age of Arab (the jahiliyyat time, before the rise of Islam). Kekanda Tikus was forced to share her 'raiment' and finally the monstrous act was prevented.
Sadly si botak tries to fulfill this request of hers. It's not like si botak doesn't care yet it's more like a numbness inside. Too much shocks, rages, and hatreds have caused the brain to freeze.
All of us had been to school. Here in Malaysia, moslems had attended the Fardhu Ain class (now known as KAFA), had learned the history chapter in Islamic Study. Si botak is also sure, moslems out of Malaysia are also aware of the state of Arab during the jahiliyyat era. Where by before the rise of Islam, most of the Arabs, especially those from Bani Tamim, tend to bury their daughters alive! Even our second Khalifah, Saidina Umar Al Khattab had done so, before he took the pledge of syahadah. Now after almost 1400 years after Muhammad SAW received the first verse in Hira' Cave, there are still this montrous murder occuring.
Si botak might understand the mothers' feeling, those whom have the guts to kill their own babies. There are a lot to think of, to consider, before decided to become a murderer. They might have thought of the humiliation and family honours.
Yet si botak would love to ask, Don't they have any shame towards The Lord? Why don't they think of humiliation and good name and family honours before surrender to their lust and desire?
Si botak might also understand the father's feeling, those whom chose to run from responsibilities. They might have thought about the uncertainty arised of whether the baby really is their ofsprings (the most clichés defense as to run from responsibility), might as well scared of the public acceptances, or maybe chose to run for thinking they are still young, why waste it on responsibility for they could repent in the future.
Si botak would also like to ask, can't they choose to take the responsibility (though it is true it's not their child) so that they could save the poor baby from being ravaged by crows? Can't they take the responsibility dan together (with the girl) finding the blessed path?
Si botak knows how hard it is the drum of lust beating inside. Si botak is also human. Though disabled still has sexual desire. Try to be patient. Make self busy with all sort of stuffs. Be active with beneficial actvities such as joining futsal, do volunteer works, and so on. If still the desire is unbearable, masturbate. Better than committing adultery, then lying as to cover it and finally murdering an innocent soul. There would be a change committing three greatest sins as to enjoy just a brief of excitement.
To youngsters out there. Believe it, The Lord is The Most Just and Merciful, there will be time for all people to experience the brief excitement. Studying first, enjoy ones' hobby, saving, then look for companion. Don't have to be too eager in finding the better half, till keeps on having a date. Instead of trying to get to know oneself better, it will finally moved on to the next level and finally a murder of an innocent baby is committed.
In loving thee thou know'st I am forsworn;
But thou art twice forsworn to me love swearing,
In act thy bed-vow broke and new faith torn,
In vowing new hate after new love bearing.
But why of two oaths' breach do I accuse thee,
When I break twenty? I am perjured most,
For all my vows are oaths but to misuse thee,
And all my honest faith in thee is lost;
For I have sworn deep oaths of thy deep kindness,
Oaths of thy love, thy truth, thy constancy,
And, to enlighten thee, gave eyes to blindness,
Or made them swear against the thing they see.
For I have sworn thee fair: more perjured eye,
To swear against the truth so foul a lie.
Shakespeare was known as a man whom truly cherished love. Almost all of his sonnets evolved in his love towards a lady. Kids nowadays learn sonnet 18 in school. His love for her was so great until he compared her beauty to every single beautiful things.
[I know I'm breaking a promise by loving you]
[but you (the mistress), swearing you love me, are breaking two promises]
[cheating on your husband by leaving his bed]
[then breaking your promise to your new lover (me) by vowing to hate him (your husband)]
[But why am I accusing you of breaking two oaths ]
[because all of my vows are only made to mislead and exploit you]
[ I'm no longer true to you]
Oaths of thy love, thy truth, thy constancy,
[oaths about your love, your faithfulness, your constancy]
[And to make you look better I blinded myself]
[For I have sworn that you are beautiful; my eye is doubly a liar]
To swear against the truth so foul a lie.
[offering such a foul lie after swearing to tell the truth]
To all the son of Adam and daughter of Eve who chose this similar route, stop all these lies. If desired better treatment and heat, talk to your spouses so that a way out shall be compromised. Express all of your needs, all of your fantasies so there won't any need to be 'eating out' no more. The bond of two people called husband and wife is so pure. Don't taint it with the raging lust! There is no use to regret it in the future just like Shakespeare....
Alkisah, ada seorang sahabat si botak yang masih menuntut di OUM (bersama sama Kak Lily). F namanya (bukan nama sebenar). Dia bertandang ke teratak si botak sebulan lalu. Membawa khabar gembira; dia kini bergelar pengusaha kecil bersama seorang rakan yang baik hati.
We talked on one specific paragraph in the humility chapter, which deeply explained by 老子; Laozi; Lao Tse; Lao Tzu, the author of the above mentioned book, he whom celebrated as god or saint by the Taoist.
A piece of useful advice isn't it? Si botak repeatedly telling himself. Doesn't matter what the source is. A good advice, si botak would consider as wasteful if not shared. Lest it is not against our faith.
Si botak keeps on smiling thinking of the conversation. If it wasn't because of the call, si botak would definitely forgotten of what once shared to him or her. Si botak almost forgot chapters once memorised by heart. Thanks a million, my dear friend.
Though known as Sufi writer, Sheikh Sa'adi wrote with a simple use of language. Si botak would love to quote one paragraph in Bustan (page 68) written circa 1257 A.D.
Perhaps thou mayest have seen the fire-fly shine like a lamp in the garden at night.
"O night-illuminating moth!" some one said, "why comest thou not out in the daytime?"
The fly gave an answer full of wisdom: Because I am not visible before the sun."
A short and brief story yet full of meanings as well as morals. Don't ask question if the answer is already known. Then, if asked question that one is sure the person asking already has the answer, answer nicely as to avoid hurting the person's feeling. Beautiful isn't it?
....
"Assalamualaikum"
"Alaikumsalam, oh Pak Abu, masuklah"
Di tangan orang tua yang sentiasa senyum itu terdapat sepiring kuih. Pak Abu masuk lalu duduk bersandar di tepi dinding.
"Ni ada kuih seri muka. Mak Bedah kau buat tadi"
Si botak berbasa basi lalu menjamah kuih kegemaran itu.
"I am getting ashamed with Pak Abu and Mak Bedah. Everyday there is always something for me"
"Please don't be. This is the least we could do as to be nice to the neighbour. Saidina Ali told us to be nice towards our neighbour, He said on his death bed, By Allah, Allah resides with your neighbours. This is the will of your Prophet. The Prophet SAW kept on asking us to be nice to our neighbour until we thought that the neighbour shall inherit our wealth."
Si botak was speechless.
....
Si botak smiled. To think how a plate of curryfuffs or seri muka could make si botak be so grateful. Be grateful on the rezeki (Allah's gift) and blessed with thoughtful neighbours. Si botak was touched by the fact in the big city where the residents usually too busy, there are some whom still tried to practise Mohammad SAW's sunnah (way of life).
It is not too hard, isn't it? Si botak reminds himself. Only a plate is enough to build a good relationship besides gaining pahala (rewards) of giving alms. Just a plate...
Si botak kecik mengampil tepak sirih di atas rumah, lalu menghulurnya kepada Tok Enda Piah yang berkaca mata dan merah bibirnya (sebab makan sirih banyak sangat).
Arwah Tok Enda Piah adalah saudara jauh Mem Besar si botak kecik. Namun sangat rapat hingga terasa bagaikan nenek sendiri. Bagi orang kampung Mem Besar, Tok Enda adalah gelaran bagi nenek saudara.
"Tok Enda, kenapa kita nak kena panggil Tok Enda lah, Ammi (panggilan untuk pakcik) lah, Enda (panggilan buat makcik) lah?"
Tok Enda Piah, menyuap sirih ke dalam mulut.
"Yang, kita hidup atas dunia ini mesti kena jaga tatatertib sesama manusia. Panggilan Ammi, Enda dan Tok, adalah panggilan hormat. Tuhan pun suka kita panggil sesama manusia dengan gelaran yang baik baik. Lagipun, saudara maralah yang akan tolong kita nanti. Jadi kenalah jaga percakapan, supaya tak bergaduh sesama sendiri."
....
Si botak tersenyum sendiri. Wajah dan pesanan Arwah Tok Enda Piah jelas terbayang. Tangan makin laju menggaras, pipi kian basah. Mengenangkan kebenaran pegangan orang tua yang tak pernah belajar secara formal, tak masuk universiti, namun tetap rasional pemikirannya.
Si botak berhenti. Menyeka air mata yang kian lebat. Terkenang kenang...
...................................................
Si botak was out of breath. After a week in Caliph's place. Si botak's place seemed to be ravaged by storm. It was like a dump site. :p Thus, si botak gathered all energies left to conduct 'spring cleaning'.
While busy being cinderella, si botak did not realise tears rolling down.
....
"Yang, go and get Tok Enda's betel case."
Little si botak went upstairs to secure it, then passed it over to Tok Enda Piah, a spectacled lady with a red lips (for chewing betel for too much)
The late Tok Enda Piah was a distant relatives of Mem Besar. Yet was so close like a grandmother. For folks in Mem Besar's village, Tok Enda was a salutation used for grand aunts.
"Tok Enda, why do we have to use Tok Enda, Ammi (for uncle), Enda (for aunt)?"
Tok Enda Piah, took the betel leaf.
"Yang, while living, we have got to be courteous with each other. The salutations such as Ammi, Enda and Tok, are out of respect. The Lord loves it if we address each other with a good names and salutations. Besides, relatives would somehow help us someday. So, speak nicely, so, we won't be fighting with each other.
....
Si botak smiled. the late Tok Enda Piah's face and words vividly emblazoned in mind. The hand scrubbed harder, while the cheek was soaked. Thinking how true and rational it was, the words of an old lady whom never received any formal teaching, lest go to the university.
Si botak stopped. Wiping the tears. Reminiscing...
Laila & Majnun... Heer & Ranja... Romeo & Juliet...
Are those the only love stories? Si botak wonders. Is there no other lovers in this entire world? Was Muhammad SAW no lover? Was Mother Teresa no lover? Was Mahatma Ghandi no lover?
Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Shaiba (Abd al Mutallib) al Hashimi al Quraisy SAW loved The Lord and The Lord's teaching as well as the Moslems. His love to The Lord was so great till he would gone through all sort of hindrances as to spread The Lord's teachings. If wasn't of his love, the ray of Islam wouldn't be spreaded throughout the world today. Not only that, in the name of love, he would give syafa'at (help) in the Judgement Day.
Agnesë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu or better known as Mother Teresa loved charity. For over 45 years this Skopje, Macedonia's born, spreading her sweat and tears miles away from her home; in Calcutta, India. She loved charity for so much till at the time of her death, Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity had over 4,000 sisters, an associated brotherhood of 300 members, and over 100,000 volunteers, operating 610 missions in 123 countries. These included hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counseling programs, personal helpers, orphanages, and schools.
Not to forget, how great the love of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi over peace. Called Mahatma or Big Soul (first by Rabindranath Tagore) because of the strength of his love over peace. He was willing to starve himself so that there would be peace between the Hindus and the Moslems in India. He was willing to die in the name of peace. So it happened.
Si botak remembers one fascinating fact. Almarhum (the late) Imam Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, or better known as Ayatollah Khomeini, was a modern Islamic supreme leader. Always taken wrongly by various parties such as the Western whom considered him as an extremist.
Si botak does not want to talk about his political stands nor actions. Si botak would love to share on how beautiful his language was. Yes, Almarhum Ayatollah Khomeini was an artist! Almarhum wrote several religious poems or sufism poems.
The first quatrain potrays the deep yearning inside him as to be with The Lord, showed by the phrase wanting to drink a cup of wine from his Love's (The Lord) hand, shows also how Almarhum really wants to be with The Lord in the afterlife. This somehow shows also how Almarhum really remembered death. Wasn't it wonderful of how Almarhum chose his words?
The fouth quatrain represents Almarhum deep yearn in obtaining knowledge (drinking out of The Lord's cup) till he was willing to pay for it. This poem was ended by expessing how grateful Almarhum if he were to achieve all his desire (as mentioned in the poem). He felt as if he was young again and would be spreading the knowledge throughout the universe.
One hidden quality of this great leader. All these while, we were fed with news of how extreme he was, when he was Iran Supreme Leader. It is now the time for us to start ignoring words of those who are afraid of their own shadows. There were a lot of great info said and told by Almarhum. What are we waiting for? Lets Google...