You HAVE a choice
September 24th, 2008 by lutfi-bamadhajYou HAVE a choice…
This is a very emotional & inspiring e-mail i got that reminded many in my family of our late brother who died at the age of 13 from organ failure. Like the story below, he also had ’difficulties’. And he also wanted to “play with the other boys”, like a normal kid.
Read on and you will realise how we all have a choice in our lives.
What would you do?….you make the choice. Don’t look for a punch line, there isn’t one. Read it anyway. My question is:
Would you have made the same choice?
At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:
‘When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?’
The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued.
‘I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.’ Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked,
‘Do you think they’ll let me play?’
I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said,
‘We’re losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.’
Shay struggled over to the team’s bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game????
Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay’s life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.
The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman’s head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, ‘Shay, run to first! Run to first!’
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, ‘Run to second, run to second!’ Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball .. the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher’s intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman’s head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, ‘Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay’
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, ‘Run to third! Shay, run to third!’
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming,
‘Shay, run home! Run home!’
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
‘That day’, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, ‘the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world’.
Shay didn’t make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:
We all send thousands of jokes through e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.
If you’re thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that
you’re probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren’t the ‘appropriate’ ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the ‘natural order of things.’ So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:
Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it’s least fortunate amongst them. You now have two choices:
1. Ignore
2. Forward
May your day, be a Shay Day.
REST IN PEACE, Sheikh Omar Bamadhaj
July 15th, 2007 by lutfi-bamadhajPeace be upon you.
Our beloved youngest brother, Sheikh Omar bin Mohamed Bamadhaj, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, 14 July 2007 at home in Johor Bahru. His body was laid to rest on a beautiful and calm Sunday morning.
Glory Be To God Almighty.
Omar was 13 years old, who endured life from complicated heart problems since birth. Omar suffered up to 7 complications, and it was predicted by doctors and specialists that he wouldn’t last beyond childhood years, let alone into his adolescence. Yet our parents’ love for their children was the driving force that lead to countless treatments, consultations, practices and habits; all the efforts we could think of to help improve his condition, if not at the very least to make him more comfortable. We just had to try.
But even though our brother was a brave and strong boy, was an innocent soul who loved the simple things in life. And Omar never wanted pity or sympathy from anyone, so he tried to conceal his weaknesses. He was almost shy to talk about it. He only asked for love, affection and attention. Thank God, our beloved mother was on hand 24/7 to attend to him. This was one of our mother’s most noted sacrifice. Because our "Umi" was all the comfort Omar needed. Omar loved the simple little things in life. He liked being in nature, and having adventure. But he knew he had limitations due to his condition. But he tried to be happy in anyway and with anyone he can.
In his short amount of time on this earth, he contributed (directly and indirectly) to many good things that we never thought possible. He had moved people to achieving great accomplishments; from building a mosque for Muslim villagers in India (Masjid Sheikh Omar Bamadhaj in Salem City, Tamilnadu); to the forming of an Association to help children with Learning Disabilities (G.I.A.T.).
My parents and Omar had an eye opening opportunity to travel to India and Sri Lanka in late 2006. This trip followed a major key-hole surgery on Omar to improve his circulation. There was some tense moment at that time, but he manage to cam out of it. In India, they had a really touching experience when Omar was surrounded and met by the villagers there who hugged and kissed him. It just goes to show the effect he has on people. Omar had a good time with good company. We the family really appreciated the care taken by our host and friends there.
G.I.A.T. was an initiative started by our mother and other parents along with several specialist in the field of mental health. This movement was a vital contribution to children and society in general, because Omar himself was affected by Dyslexia and A.D.H.D. (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). But many will remember his love of PlayStation and computer games, and his interest in English Soccer clubs. He was trying his best to be like any average kid his age. One can remember seeing the light in his eyes when he was with other kids his age, talking about football and games. Those who had spent enough time with Omar, knew that he was a bit of a perfectionist; a very young man with great attention to detail, knowing how he wanted to have things done. I guess he got that from our father….. and myself included! 
My mother said that Omar also opened doors to friendships between people that might not have been possible. She has learnt many thing and got to know many people that would not be possible if it was not for him.
My family & I are deeply grateful for all prayers and condolences from family and friends. We are so touched, for there has never been a child that other people know of who was paid such kind tribute, from people in countries around the world so far that we have never set foot on!
God willing, the innocences and love upon him will bless him as a Resident of Paradise. And we would like to thank all those present on his last birthday on 26 April recently. His 13th birthday celebration went beyond our expectations and became a memorable success. Thank you!
My siblings and I pray, and ask for your prayers too, for strength and endurance to our beloved mother Noor and father Mohamed. They have endured so many trials and tribulations for many years in raising our brother as best as they could. May God the Almighty reward them in this life and the next, for their endless effort.
Also to his elder brothers; Lutfi, Fahmi and Salleh, who made the best as they could of giving brotherly love and support. And to his elder sisters; Munira, Fatma and Aafaf who showered him with affections right to the end of his life. We have accepted his departure, yet we miss him with the flow of our countless tear drops.
Not forgetting, Hashim, Nawi and Safa, and also those, who are "nameless but not faceless" poeple- thank you for everything from the bottom of our hearts! With God’s grace, trully made this child a beautiful child right to the end.
Throughout his life, my family and I, as well as friends and relatives from near and far prayed for his health and miracles for his improvement. In reality, he had been granted from Allah the opportunity to live a life that most 13-year olds would not have had a chance to have. And Omar lived those years that doctors and specialists had predicted would have not been possible. So in reality, our prayers were answered.
And so, we will miss Omar’s charm, humor and affection. Let us not forget the lessons we had, experiences we encountered and friends we made from having Omar in our lives. If there was anything he would probably had wished for, it would be to do something in the best way we can.
May he reach Paradise, in the grace of Almighty God.
Amin.
"Love ya, my Munchkin!
With lots of sayang….from Abang"
PENGUMUMAN: Kembalinya Ke Rahmatullah, Sheikh Omar
July 15th, 2007 by lutfi-bamadhajAssalamualaikum.
Adinda dikasihi Sheikh Omar bin Mohamed Bamadhaj telah
meninggal dunia pada waktu pagi hari Sabtu, 14 Julai 2007 di
kediaman Johor Bahru dengan tenangnya. Jenazah telah
disemadikan di tanah perkuburan Mahmudiah pada pagi Ahad
dalam suasana yang indah lagi tenang. Subhanallah.
Almarhum Omar yang berusia 13 tahun, telah mengidapi masalah
jantung sejak dilahirkan. Namun, dalam masa beberapa tahun
sahaja, Almarhum telah (secara langsung dan tidak langsung)
menjayakan projek2 kebajikan seperti mendirikan sebuah masjid
disatu perkampungan di India, menubuhkan satu Persatuan untuk
membantu kanak2 yang bermasaalah dalam pembelajaran, serta
menjalin persahabatan yang tidak berbelah bagi di antara kumpulan
dan keluarga dari latar belakang yang berlainan.
Oleh itu, kami ahli keluarga berbanyak-banyak terima kasih keatas
doa dan ucapan takziah dari kaum kerabat dan sahabat handai.
Berbesar hati kaum keluarga kerana belum pernah terlihat seorang
anak yang mendapat pujian dari mereka di negara-negara yang
jauh namun belum pernah buminya dipijak.
InsyAllah, berkat kasih sayang keatasnya akan mencucuri rahmat
sebagai Ahli-ul-Jannah (Ahli Syurga). Juga ingin diucapkan terima
kasih keatas semua yang hadir dan menjayakan majlis ulang tahun
terakhirnya pada 26 April baru baru ini. Perayaan hari lahirnya
yang ke-13 itu melebihi jangkaan kami dan tidak akan dilupai.
Kami enam beradik mendoakan, dan memohon didoakan,
ketabahan dan kesabaran keatas ibu Noor & bapa Mohamed yang
kami kasihi. Mereka telah menghadapi berbagai cabaran dan
cubaan dalam usaha membesarkan adik kami sebaik yang mungkin.
Semoga Allah membalaskan, didunia dan akhirat, atas jasa-jasa
mereka yang tidak terkira.
Juga kepada abang-abangnya; Lutfi, Fahmi dan Salleh yang
memberi dorongan & sokongan sebaik yang mungkin. Dan kepada
kakak-kakaknya; Munira, Fatma dan Aafaf yang tidak terputus
kasih sayangnya hingga ke akhir hayat. Walaupun redha dengan
pemergiannya, tetapi rindu kepada Omar akan terus mengalir
dalam titisan airmata adik-beradiknya.
Tidak dilupakan, Hashim, Nawi dan Safa, serta mereka yang "tidak
dinamakan tetapi sentiasa diingati"- terima kasih atas segalanya!
Akhir kata, kasih sayang dan manja Omar akan diingati.
Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat keatasnya di Jannah.
Amin.
Ending is near…..
October 28th, 2005 by lutfi-bamadhajAsalamualikum.
(Peace be upon you)
The end is near…. but what "end" am I talking about? Well, let’s start with Ramadhan, the Holy Month.
I am recalling the khutbah (sermon) this Friday. The Imam reminds us how fast Ramadhan has gone by and asks us, "What have we gathered for ourselves this past Holy Month?". For some of us may not give much thought about it, but most of us, THAT thought send chills down our spine.
I don’t mean to sound gloomy here (I mean, this blog was meant to show the side of Lutfi u don’t normally see), but the very thought of our world ending one day and we all are to be judge reminds me of ….. well….. SCHOOL!!! To be exact… EXAMS!
Don’t we tend to rush our studies if an exam is coming. I mean, we had the WHOLE year to study, but we’re too busy goofing off that before u know it, exam is just around the corner! Aaarrggghhh!!! And we start rushing like mad to study this and study that, late into the night and over the weekends that we get all stressed up. Well there’s an up side and a down side to this scenario. In school, there’s always NEXT paper, or NEXT semester or NEXT year, right?
But in this life…. you have but ONE shot at it. ONE life to fill with amalan and pahala. Gosh….! I bet my folks would be glad to hear this from me. But I think they would enjoy it more if I actually did more often what I just said 
I wish I did too.
Welcome…. me!
October 27th, 2005 by lutfi-bamadhajHello everyone!!
I finally decided to add a blog too! Whenever I’m free i’ll add up here. I don’t intend to add in junk, so I hope u guys would find my blog ok.
I had a few entries typed out on another PC but someone deleted it before i got a chance to save it. oh we… guess we’ll have to wait till i’m in the mood.
Meantime, enjoy the pics i’ve got up here and will add some later. Keep in touch y’all!!!
Peace….
Lutfi
