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Assalamualaikum.

Innalillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun, I just recieved news that another uncle, Haji Siddek, has passed away. He's not a direct uncle, i think he's my mum's cousin, form my Grandma's side. Or he could even be her nephew, despite him being much older. I just call him "uncle". This is very sudden because he was not sick, or showed any signs of sickness. Its quite a blow to me, because he is my favorite uncle. During the three years I was living in Singapore. He was the one who cared for me the most. Who visited me for a chat or a meal, or to take me with him for his tour-de-Mosques around Singapore. I was 15 and living on my own at that time. I hope he knows how much his visits and our conversations mean to me. How he influenced my character . He was, above all, a very wise man both in actions and words. A humble, kind, and peaceful man, with laughter in his eyes and his ever present smile, and the way he never leaves home without his white Hajj Cap, and the way he storke his white goatee when he talks. He's very animated when he talks, and he looks at you in the eyes when he does, which raises some concerns because he does so even when he's driving. I always thought he's one of the very few individuals who is truly at peace with himself.

I never knew what job he's had, I knew he was a teacher, because ive hear people call him "Cikgu", in the Malay community, once you're a teacher "cikgu", you will always be a cikgu. and I heard he used to work at SingTel. But he's been retired since the first time i met him. When i asked what he does he only said "I work for Allah". No he doesn't work for an Islamic organisation or a Mosque. But from what i observe, this is what he does:

He is like a chauffeur, he drives imams, visiting lecturers, islamic clerics, from one venue to another. He visits one mosque to another, delivering Qur'ans/Donations/Food he obtained from some wealthy businessmen living in Indonesia and Malaysia. Although he doesnt set them up, himself, he helped build Oprhanages in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam/Cambodia, i forgot, but he visits those places and helped the muslim community by simply being a middle man. He visits powerful and rich people, most of them simply by chance, and reminded them casually about these places that need help, and somehow make them feel guilty enough to donate or help out in other forms. He's very good at that. I saw it myself first hand when we visited another distant uncle who was a public figure in S'pore, he was an MP i think at one stage. We went to his posh house and had dinner with the family. It was really cool for a teenager like me to watch my two vey different uncles in action. These two people are of the same age, and both of them are wise in their own way. They talk casually, but so many things is being exchanged without words, and uncle Siddek was totally relaxed and always in good humour, while the other one was calm and steady. Like i said, he doesnt work for any organisation, not like a Jehovah-Witness-door-to-door type. He approaches his friends and relatives, and seemingly simply by chance. in the end, he'll get something out of it, whether its a donation, or a contact. Simply put, he has a knack of reminding people about other muslims in need, and to make you feel guilty because you forgot about them.

I've learnt so much from him, and always, before we part, he would ask me .. ME .. to pray for him so that his effort would be successful, and when i said, that HE's the one who'se suppossed to pray for me, because i think God would clearly listen to him more than me, he said "You are still young, Your accumulated sins is much much less then mine, I'm old, therefore i have more sins than you, so you prayers will have more effect than mine". I've never met, in my life, an older person who shows such humilty to the young. I thought that's not necessary true, because he's done much more good deeds than i have. But its the way he encourages me, by making him look less religous than me. Its like giving me hope, that i can be better than him.

Islam means "Peace" or "Submission" , or "Peace through Submission" to the will of God. I see that in him how he lived his days and how peaceful he was in living his life. The lesson i learnt from him, is that, when Allah guide your way, you will not have a worry in this world, money, work, family, He will provide for you, and you will find peace.

Allahummaghfirlahu Warhamu wa aafihii wa'fuanhu
I'll see you again, uncle, you passed away on Friday. I know you would've liked that.