Thousand Years Later, A Letter, Rightfully Delivered

When the people of Madinah, the Ansar (the Patrons), heard that Prophet Muhammad sollallaahu alaihi wa sallam was coming to Madinah from Makkah on His Hijrah in 622 AD, they started making preparations for his arrival.
The Ansar cleaned the streets and spring cleaning their houses.
All of them wanted Muhammad s.a.w. to be welcomed into their houses.

To overcome the generosity of Ansar, The Prophet s.a.w. came up with a proposal.
His camel was to rein free.
The camel was let loose.
Let his camel go its own way for the ship of the desert is guided by its CREATOR.

When the camel finally knelt, Rasulullah s.a.w. did not dismount.
Up on its feet, went down the streets ambling for some distance, it then turned back and knelt at the same spot as before.
Adjacent to the spot where the camel knelt was the house of Abu Ayyub Ansori rodhiallaahu 'anhu.

Abu Ayyub r.a. quickly lifted the saddle from the camel and took it home.
Rasulullah s.a.w., with his sense of humour, remarked that
'A man must follow his saddle,”
He followed Abu Ayyub r.a.
Masjidin Nabwi was then built on that very spot where the camel stopped.

Born in 576 AD as Khalid bin Zaid bin Kulaib, Abu Ayyub r.a. hailed from the tribe of Bani Najjar.
Aptly called Abu Ayyub, as an indication he's the father of Ayyub.

Rasulullah s.a.w. stayed in Abu Ayoob r.a.'s house for seven months until the erection of Masjidin Nabawi had completed.
Ironically, the house was built for Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. by the king of Yemen, Tab’a Awwal Hamiri, a thousand years earlier.

****** 

Muhammad s.a.w., saw the servant of the house was approaching him.
The Prophet s.a.w asked if the servant of the house is Abu Laila.
Abu Laila (father of Laila) was surprised, having his name mentioned by Rasulullah s.a.w. who had just came from Makkah.
But knew his name.

The Prophet s.a.w. continued that He's the Messenger of ALLAH.
He wanted to have His letter which was sent by the then king of Yemen, Tab’a Awwal Hamiri.
It was written a thousand years earlier.
Abu Laila was asked to bring the letter, which he had been entrusted to, for safekeeping.

He appeared before Rasulullah s.a.w. with the letter.
It had been passed down from generation to generation for over a thousand years from King Tab’a Awwal Hamiri.
After Rasulullah s.a.w was presented the letter, upon acknowledging it, He congratulated the pious GOD's servant Tab’a Awwal Hamiri.

The letter from King Hamiri stated that he pledged his faith in Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and in the Book (Qur'an) that will be revealed to this Prophet.
He follows the path of Muhammad's religion.

If he is fortunate enough to see Rasulullah s.a.w., then it will be a great pleasure for him.
If it is not possible, he request Prophet Muhammad s.a.w for His intercession (Syafa'ah).
Not to forget him on Judgement Day.

The king believe in Muahammad s.a.w.'s Prophethood.
He pledged his spiritual allegiance (Bai'ah) in advance, before Rasulullah s.a.w.'s arrival.
He, Tab’a Awwal Hamir, swear that there is only one ALLAH and that Muhammad s.a.w. is HIS true Messeger.

******      ******      ******

About 2500 years ago, the king of Yemen, Tab’a Awwal Hamiri, went on a tour in his kingdom, and its neighbouring countries.
In the entourage of this rich king, with him, were 12,000 knowledgeable men ('Alims) and physicians, including 113,000 soldiers.
Wherever they went, people would gather and lined the roadsides to watch and welcome them.
There were much pomp and ceremony.
There were always great procession for these men and soldiers.

But when this entourage reached the outskirts of Makkah, no one came to welcome them to the valley town in the desert.
The king was greatly surprised.
He asked his chief minister,
'Where have all gone to, instead of gathering together in droves to welcome them?'

The minister replied that there is a house in the town Baitullah. 
All folks have great respect for it.
The king's entourage has no comparison to it.
Not only neighbouring people, but from far flung places, came for their pilgrimage to Baitullah.
Everybody, poor and peasants, will show no importance to the wealthy or their rulers.
They show more importance, they have greater respect to the Holy House, Baitullah.

The king was furious when he heard the statement.
He declared that he will raze the House to the ground and will kill all the people living in Makkah.

Just after he said that, blood started oozing from his eyes, mouth and nose.
Men in his entourage kept their distance from their own king.
They wanted to stay away from the nonstop oozing blood.

He was sleepless nights after nights.
His condition worsened.
Doctors and physicians were unable to provide the best treatment for their king.
Nobody could help nor provide the badly needed treatment.
But the king wanted to be treated by any means and at any cost.

One of the GOD fearing physician amongst the king's entourage inspected him.
Upon taking his pulse, the physician claimed that the cause of the king's bad condition is about spirituality.
No other form of medicines will work on him.

If the king harbours evil intention, his condition will not improve.
But will probably worsened.
If the king abort his ill intention, he will be forgiven.
His misery will be alleviated.

The GOD fearing physician advised his king to take back his ill intention of wanting to destroy the Ka'bah and killing the valley's folks.
The king should repent, asking forgiveness from the Almighty GOD.

Taking the GOD fearing physician's advice, the king did what he was advised to do.
He needed treatment at any cost.

Soon after he repented, blood stopped spurting from his eyes, mouth and nose.
Miraculously, he was completely cured.

Happy with the recovery, he ordered Ka'bah to be covered with silk material.
He presented gold and silk clothings for all residents of Makkah valley.

******

The entourage continued their journey to Yathrib (Madinah).
The knowledgeable men, those 'Alims had studied Books that had revealed the Prophets who had come earlier before them, and the yet to come Prophet too.
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.'s Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah is also indicated in these Books.

They went around Yathrib, the other Holy Land that is blessed.
They were overwhelmed with joy having stepped on the sacred land.
They wished to live their lives in Yathrib.
If opportunity arise, GOD Willing, they would meet the Beloved Prophet s.a.w.
Or, at least, The Prophet s.a.w. would visit their graves.

The king, after consultations and advice from his knowledgeable men, made his decision to build 400 homes for his men who wished to stay in Yathrib.
He left financial support for these 400 'Alims who decided to stay behind.
He asked for a house for Rasulullah s.a.w. to be built too.

He left instructions that Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. is to stay at that house, should Muhammad s.a.w. land in Madinah.
He requested the senior among his 'Alim to present his letter to The Prophet s.a.w., when He eventually comes to Madinah.

But should the 'Alim die earlier before Rasulullah s.a.w.'s arrrival, the letter should be kept and passed on.
The 'Alim's generation will present it to Rasulullah s.a.w.

Generation after generation of the Chief 'Alim, the letter was treasured.
From the initial 400, the number of these 'Alims families, children and their offspring had grown.
They now formed a large community in Yathrib.

Abu Ayyub r.a. (tomb above, in Turkey. Source: Today's Zaman) possessed the letter.
He's the descendent of the Chief 'Alim.
He handed it to his servant, Abu Laila for safekeeping.
Abu Laila then delivered it to Rasulullah s.a.w., the rightful owner.

The Children - Babies Caught In Between

"The baby's coming next week." My Son reminded Me few days ago.

"Temporary only." I counter-reminding him as per our agreement.

The baby is being looked after by her grandmother.
But since her grandfather is sick and now, bedridden, the elderly woman's hands are full.
I agree for the baby to be temporarily placed here while the mother is at work - before a permanent baby-sitter is found. 

"No, the grandmother now has to work already. They have no money for medication."

"But You already know I'm going KL Friday." I reminded Him.

"Bring baby along." My Son insisted.

"Many weddings in Singapore this June holiday." A good excuse I supposed.

"Make passport for her then."  

"Where's the father?"

"Run away." 
 I stopped there and then, thinking of the young mother, now single-handedly, has to juggle her role as a mother and a bread-winner.

Out of desperation, she contacted My Son months ago, who was her ex-colleague.
We stay not too faraway from her mother.
He, in turn, asked My help.

Honestly, I had forgotten how to look after small babies.
She will be one-year old next month.
I called around, looking for someone who can baby-sit, but found none.

Yesterday, I looked for a baby-sitter again.
But instead, this lady pleaded Me to help looking after the infant Myself.
She had seen too many cases of neglect and non-appropriate words usage, used by baby-sitters and their families to infants who are learning to communicate.

Her granddaughter was abused, by non other than a registered nursery in PJ.
When her daughter (the small girl's mother), brought to the attention of the nursery owner, the teenager child-minder denied her doing.

Instead, she accused her colleague of doing it.

The less than two-year-old girl's head was full of blood stains marked by repeatedly hit with a comb.
When it was said that a police report will be made, the first girl, the nursery owner's niece, ran away.
She did not report for work until today.

A police report was still made, not to apprehend the teenager, but just to make sure that no such incident will ever be repeated again.
The girl and her sibling are still there, at the same nursery.
No other nearer place to place them while the mother is at work.

******      ******      ******

I attended a 'hair-shaving ceremony', to not one, but three babies, all cousins.  
"Cukur rambut" at the same time yesterday.

After the ceremony ended, I stayed longer, waiting for My Husband who was still driving from Pasir Gudang to Bukit Tiram.

While waiting, I realised that one of the baby was attended by only the young and handsome father.
The other two babies, both parents attended to their bundle of joy.

One of the relative realised My attention to the lonely and quiet father.
Before I could ask, the relative said, "He's divorced now."

Before I realised, tears were filling My eyes.
I attended his grand wedding just a year or less than two-years ago.
The joyous occasion, the spread of food, sure the very big amount of expenditure spent, to make the solemn marriage occasion, a memorable one.

It is still fresh too, in My mind.
Do not tell me, it has diminished, as good as dead, in the matching couple's memory.

Both have their looks, well-educated and good career.
Both used to be promising people with promising future.
What really goes wrong with them, with the current society?

These small babies are often denied their right of having both parents at their sides.
Their parents can choose their spouses, but these babies cannot choose their parents.
Their parents are not replaceable.
So, there is no replacement for both their mother and father.

These babies are surely not in the position to shoulder whatever their parents disagree.
Neither can they be made to suffer in doings they do not.

Seeing crumbling marriages with their families disintegrated around Me, is really disturbing.
The number of divorces is really alarming.

I remember reading, where Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said, statistics by the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (Jakim), showed that the divorce rate among married Muslim couples was one every 15 minutes in 2009.

Now, the number of Syariah Court judges is sufficient, but their case load grows by... the 15 minutes.

******      ******      ******

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,
wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less,
we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families,
more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense,
more knowledge, but less judgment,
more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up to O tired, read too little,
watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information,
to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small character,
steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,
fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips,
disposable diapers,
throwaway morality, one night stands,
overweight bodies,
and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet,
to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you,
and a time when you can choose either to share this insight,
or to just hit delete...

Remember;
spend some time with your loved ones,
because
they are not going to be around forever.

Remember,
say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,
because
that little person soon will grow up
and leave your side.

Remember,
to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because
that is the only treasure you can give with your heart
and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner
and your loved ones,
but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt
when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember
to hold hands
and cherish the moment
for someday
that person will not be there again.

Give time to love,
give time to speak!
And give time to share
the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured
by the number of breaths we take,
but
by the moments that take our breath away.


George Carlin.

Source: The Hive Mod Bee - Thursday, November 1, 2007

The Maid Story - Of Evil And Angel Hearted

Maids In Singapore (4)

The Evil

 

During the 6-day trial that started in April, widow  Madam Mah told the court how for over a year, she would doze off within minutes of having a meal. 

She also found it difficult to wake up at her usual time of 6am.

She lived with her maid in a house in Paya Lebar Crescent.

 

26-year old Windri Hartatik (Photo: Singapore Police Force) was jailed a year on Monday. 

Windri was found guilty by District Judge Lim Wee Ming of administering the stupefying drug to 79 year old Madam Mah Ah Choo, in December 2009. 

She laced a soup with 10 sleeping pills so that her employer would fall asleep and not find fault with her work.

 

While Windri would help herself to the fish and vegetable dishes, she would give the soup a miss on some occasions. 

On Dec 9, Madam Mah had taken a pork rib soup prepared by her maid. 

The retiree did not suspect anything. 

 

However, the next morning, she suffered a bout of giddiness and nearly collapsed at a supermarket. 

She had to be helped by staff and returned home with the maid in a taxi. 

After resting, Madam Mah confronted Windri, who admitted to adding 'medicine' to the soup, to make Madam Mah sleep more and stop her from inspecting and finding fault with the maid's work. 

 

The widow went to the Serangoon neighbourhood police centre to complain that her maid was poisoning her on Dec 22. 

 

Sergeant Norhafizah Kamaludin, 26, then interviewed Windri, who alleged that a neighbour had given her a pack of white-coloured pills that would make Madam Mah "slow down" and not nag and complain so much. 

The Indonesian maid had told a police officer she fed "medicine" to her 79-year-old employer to make her less troublesome. 

The maid, who had worked for Madam Mah for 2 years also said she got rid of the remaining pills when police were informed. 

 

In her separate police statement to investigating officer Ong Xiqing, Windri changed her story and said that she had brought the pills from Indonesia and had taken them when she had difficulty sleeping. 

 

Deputy Public Prosecutor Bhajanvir Singh asked the court not to show leniency to the Indonesian because employers and their family members need to be protected from violent maids. 

He said that Windri had abused the trust placed in her by her employer and had poisoned an elderly and very vulnerable victim.

 

****** 

 

The Angel 

 

Almost one third of the space in Ms Puji's bedroom was filled with her employers' children's toys. 

It shows the so much love she has for them. 

 

Her attachment to the children was evident - The children will always go to her room to play. 

 

Her employers were not the only ones Ms Puji left a deep impression on. 

Mr Samuel Lam, 36, a technical account director said:  

"When we got this maid in September 2008, we thought we were lucky to have her." 

 

A neighbour's 10-year-old son, Abdullah, said Ms Puji was very nice. 

She's very friendly, and would say 'hi' to him whenever she saw him.

 

Because of the abundance of her love towards the 2 children, she was even willing to lay her life down for the girls.

 

On Saturday night 24th April 2010, Indonesian maid Puji Astutik died proving her love - and saved her boss' one-year-old. 

 

Ms Puji, 28, was crossing the road with her employer, Mrs Lam's younger daughter, when an SMRT bendy bus ran into her at the junction of Choa Chu Kang Street 52 and Choa Chu Kang North 6 at around 7.30pm. 

 

She flung the baby girl forward but she herself, was pinned under the wheels. 

 

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it took 11 minutes for them to extricate Ms Puji from underneath the bus using one 10-tonne jack with multiple injuries. 

She was conveyed to National University Hospital as was reported by The New Paper and Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao. 

 

She died later that night from her injuries. 

The Lams' daughter suffered minor scratches on her left arm and kept shivering that night. 

 

Both children were very attached to the maid. 

The elder girl asked her parents:  

"The bus hit Kaka, Kaka (sister) where?"

 

After witnessing the accident, both could not stop crying for a long time. 

After they stopped, both went into a daze and kept silent. 

 

Just 2 days before the incident, Ms Puji, 28, had pleaded with her mother in Indonesia to let her stay in Singapore after her contract expired. 

 

She loved her employer's two young daughters, aged 1 and 2, too much to leave.

Mr and Mrs Lam (above), Photo: TNP, intended to renew the maid's contract when it expired in September.

 

Ms Puji had S$3,221 in savings, which her employers had taken to the maid agency to be sent to her family.

 

Mr Eric Lim (above), director of Jack Focus Employment, who brought Ms Puji to Singapore, with her belongings that was sent home with her body.

He planned to raise S$10,000 for the maid's family, and hand the amount to the Indonesian embassy, which will then pass it to the family.

"It's such a pity. She (Ms Puji) worked so hard, she had aspirations, but just like that, she's said goodbye," said Mr Eric Lim.