My meeting with Nik Aziz – Sakmongkol AK47

I was in Kelantan the last few days. On Saturday, May 3, I had the opportunity to meet up Tok Guru Nik Aziz (TGNA). As I wanted to perform the Asar prayers with him, I arrived a little earlier. After performing ablution, I entered his Masjid just as the Asar Azan was called. After performing the optional pre-Asar prayers, I sat myself down.

TGNA was seated in the first row on the far right. I was told he always prayed in the first row and always on the right end. He was deep in contemplation. He looked serene.

After the obligatory asar prayers, I inched myself in a crawling position towards him. I held out my hands and he responded likewise and I kissed his hands in filial respect. A friend, who is also a shariah court judge, informed TGNA that here is the MP from Raub who would like to see him.

I had brought a non-Muslim friend along and the driver of our vehicle. We walked to towards TGNA’s house which is adjacent to the mosque.  A few young children were playing. I assumed they must be his grandchildren. The children greeted TGNA as how young children do when they see their grandfather in a teasing manner whereupon TGNA smiled back in a grandfatherly manner.

We entered the house – it is as other people can attest a simple dwelling. There is a day bed at one end – which Malays often used as a bed for the sick and not so healthy. I assumed TGNA often rests here. I have brought some fruits which I bought earlier at Pangkalan Kubor in Tumpat and mentioned that to TGNA. He thanked me.

My friends and I were motioned to sit in chairs arranged in neat rows indicating that even after retirement; many people still visit the Tok Guru. I sat nearest to him. While we were sitting a few people came in bringing infants to get the blessings from this revered man. TGNA admonished these people- they should come in the morning or after Zuhur payers. Saya duduk lama dalam masjid lepas zuhur. Takde oghe maghi. Masa ini saya nak rehat sikit.

After the people left, he asked the doors to his house closed to signify that he does not want any more visitors.

"My son Nik Abduh ( MP for Pasir Mas) told me Dato is coming see me. Is there anything in particular that you seek?"

In an almost whispering tone I answered I am here to pay a courtesy call. I have never met Tok Guru and I thought this is a good chance for me to visit. Tomorrow I am meeting the Kelantan MB.

The first question he asked, "How come you join DAP? I must salute DAP, they must have done something right to attract Malays to join DAP. I wish PAS can do something to attract Chinese joining PAS."

I answered – perhaps it was accidental that I joined DAP. After being dropped as candidate by Umno in the 12th GE, I was reinventing myself as a writer and political commentator. The DAP people approached me and presented their case. I did not make up my mind immediately; it was only after a few months that I was officially inducted into the party.

There is nothing accidental in life said TGN. Everything is finally decided by us. So your joining DAP was not accidental, it was decided by you.

It was touché I thought and was saved further embarrassment when he moved on to other matters.

I narrated the time when I was interviewed by Harakah and an encounter with Tok Gruru Hadi Awang when I was asked the same question. I said if I had joined PAS, I would not be able to carry the burden of such an awesome responsibility to live up to an Islamic image. I cited the examples of a few people carrying the image of Islam but eventually soiling its good name. I said, I am conscious of my moral shortcomings and would only besmirch the image of PAS as an Islamic party. I even joked that if I joined PAS, I am afraid people like Nik Aziz and Haji Hadi will run way.

TGNA speaks in an almost hushed manner that is just audible. He speaks in clear syllables that makes his audience wants to listen attentively.

He says even I can’t carry the responsibility of carrying the Islamic banner. That should not be an excuse. I held my peace realising that I have overplayed my excuse not to join PAS.

Without waiting for the issue to be raised, TGNA suddenly spoke about hudud. This entire thing about hudud- why are we overly and unduly excited?  PAS was formed in 1951 – hudud came with the Quran almost 2000 years ago. This isn’t a hudud by PAS. These are divine laws.

We have laws which hang people. But no one makes noise. Hanging means death. We have amputation where hands are cut off- but the convicted person lives. So which is more barbaric? Hanging or amputating? Difficult for me to counter that logic or I wasn’t mentally agile to shoot back.

The reason why so many are opposed to hudud, is because they were not practised by the colonial masters and the west. If they had been practised by them, I don’t think there will be much opposition.

TGNA read a few Quranic verses. The short meeting was also a chance to preach to someone like me I think.

Tok Guru spoke something about death. You see, he said while reading some verses from the Quran:
“We must believe in life after death. I was born (if I remembered and heard correctly what TGNA said) in 1931. Before 1931, there was no Nik Aziz. Nik Aziz was not created by our parents or a firm. It was Allah who created me from nonexistence into existence. We must learn to trust in God. After all Islam is submission to the will of Allah.

“Like me, I may die tonight, tomorrow or any day. But there is afterlife. Just as I came into existence after nonexistence, there will life after death. I did not exist once, then I came into being; I will cease to exist when I die, and will come into being again.

“And when the day of judgement comes, we will all be brought to account for what we have done. God will ask, I gave you eyes, what did you set eyes upon? I gave you legs, where did you go? I gave you ears, what did you listen to? Such is the supreme greatness of Allah.

“If we trust Allah in this way, we must also trust in the laws that he gave us. It is beyond the puny minds of mankind to comprehend the inner meanings of God’s laws.”

We sat attentively listening to what this great man had to say. In person, in his jubbah, Nik Aziz is a smallish man. He has a serene face for a man approaching 80.

Finally I summoned up my courage to say, “May I trouble you for some doa and blessings. I am hoping to partake of some barakah from this encounter.”
TGNA responded, “Let us doa together and I cupped my hands as he recited some doa.”

After he has finished I thanked him and kissed his hands. As he alighted from his chair, he said he has been suffering from prostate problems for some time.

The first time I had this problem was when I was 4 years old. It all started when I ate jering rebus. (The bigger cousin to the petai).

We bid our farewell and took our leave. As we entered our vehicle, Tok Guru was at the door of his house standing using his walking stick and waved us goodbye.

I prayed silently, may Allah confer him long life. I have just left the presence of a great but very humble man. A firm believer and a servant of God. –sakmongkol.blogspot.com,

* Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de guerre of Raub MP Datuk Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz.