I was reading Pak Zab's entry regarding dates - as in the fruit - and that reminded me one of my early entries which I thought I would like to share with my friends here. That - and off course - the blank mind I'm experiencing these couple of days. Thus I thought, why not? It would just like when TV stations ran out of shows to broadcast, they begin transmitting reruns. Not that I mind though as some shows like Star Trek: Generations, are worth another watch. Sadly, those which are really worthy are never shown again. Perhaps, quite like time itself; once past the present moment, it is gone forever. Just like life.
*****
I was about 4 or 5 then, but I remember the day my mother brought me to the school she was teaching. Why she had done so I cannot remember. Nor can I remember whether I had been more than a handful in her class that day. But I must have been.
Sometime during that day, she led me to a bench in the school canteen and later handed me a snack and a carbonated drink. I remember that part so clearly even now as though it was only yesterday: on my right hand I was holding a kacang epang and my left a bottle of ice cream soda. Both, had the taste which would appeal to any kid of that age and I was no exception. Though the very meaning of the word was lost to me then, it was, a heavenly experience.
As time pass by and along with it, the age of innocence, I began to learn that heavenly experience is not within an earthly grasp, but that heaven is.
Somewhere along the line between then and present, I also learnt that when the Prohpet Adam (a.s.) came out of heaven, he brought along with him 3 heavenly items: an Olive tree, a Date tree and Honey. While the fruits of the olive is not well known nor easily available here, honey, and the dates are in abundance especially during the month of Ramadhan.
It is not only norm but encouraged for Muslims to break their fast with dates. This is not only in following the tradition of the Prohpet Muhammad (s.a.w.) but also for the nutritious effect of the fruit itself. Throughout this whole month the date is eagerly eaten, only to be equally and easily forgotten when Ramadhan draws to an end. It is as though the month of Syawal is the much more eagerly awaited month - a month of joyous festivity and endless television entertainment?
True, it is the month of Syawal we muslims celebrate. But the celebration is meant for the dedication in and for the month of Ramadhan. To be precise, it is only the 1st day of Syawal the celebration is called for.
In the month of Ramdhan, Muslims are to self-impose restrain and discipline against the lust and temptations of this world. In reward for these acts which if performed in sincerity, Allah bestows the faithfuls His forgiveness, mercy and bounty. It is then I find it neither strange nor surprising that several friends weep with the departure of this month as though one would with a lover.
Try as I might I constantly find myself falling and failing to attain the platform they have. Perhaps, though I may not taste heaven here on earth, I hope and pray, I may even if just, grasp it. InsyAllah.
14 comments:
A prelude to Heaven in the hereafter would surely be the day the sarkas people walk out of parliment with their tails between their hind limbs, head bowed down, eyes half closed, brows drooped, swagger into their respective cars and head to oblivion, never to come back again.
Salam Shah,
I guess the heavenly grace are all over this earth for those who are willing to devote his life fully to God, but then the distractions of syaitan and nafsu usually managed blur our feelings and gratitude. We always failed to be thankful for all the blessings that been given to us until it’s too late.
Nikmat berbuka puasa dan menangis dalam sembahyang saja meletakkan perasaan bagi dipintu syurga.
Salam Cikgu,
Lol! That would be a dream desired! But, make it without their cars. Make them literally walk all the way home. And confiscate all their passports too :)
Wa'alaikumusalam Jaflam,
True, our real enemies are syaiton and our very own nafs. They tend to make us forget. Otherwise, it would not have been said that the biggest jihad is against nafs.
Salam Shah
Reminds me when my mom gave me a glass of f&n grape when I had measles! Almost heavenly...hehe
Ya, it would be heavenly to be in that level you described! And to always be in that state is a mere challenge by itself. Must keep on trying.
shah my man,
it did surprise be a bit. had a brief conversation with one indian muslim fellow yesterday while waiting for buka and he was sad that it was already the 7th day of puasa. he further said that soon it will be the 2nd week and so on. i admit i was quite impressed. i mean, here i am counting days to raya!
salam shah. saya difahamkan. di indonesia, bulan puasa di sambut lebih meriah daripada bulan raya.
Wa'alaikumusalam ydiana,
You must have been 6 or 7 when your mum gave you that drink :)
kerpie my bro,
We've both got a long way to go. Let us both work towards it.
Wa'alaikumusalam Alina,
Hmm...saya kesempatan menyambut awal Ramadhan di Jakarta beberapa tahun dahulu. Walau ianya di kota, sambutan Ramadhan di sana memang meriah berbanding di sini. Mungkin jika di desa, lagi menyerlah kemeriahan nya.
Konsep raya di Malaysia ini sudah lari dari maksud sebenarnya, wallahualam.
He he...come to think of it, not sure when, maybe about 3 or 4, and now I'm not sure whether it was f&n or fanta, or whether it was orange or grape, or whether it was when I had measles or fall off a tree....!!??!
Salam Shah,
I await Ramadhan with a thousand and one plans to do better than the last.
But into the 8th day, I find myself already miserably failing as usual.
Then when it ends, I always have my usual regrets.
It's one bloody endless cycle.
ydiana,
As the Irish would say it: "boyo!"...so many probabilities ;)
Wa'alaikumusalam Tehsin,
Lol! Aren't we a pair? Then again, there's so many other waiting to make it a crowd :)
Life, is a journey of discovery. So they say. But life too, is a journey of constant trials. There's no winner. Just losers who give up. InsyAllah, we are not them.
Post a Comment