Tribute to a good friend

Pirate of the Zigaretten - "Good friend" just seemed too tiny to describe him. 

 I started to know him closely during our integration/preparation course in Radolfzell back in 2004. We were in the same group. Before, in INTEC i just know him by name as we are not in the same class and nothing much relate us in term of our activities back then. I recalled that he had an accident, hit by a car in front of our college in Shah Alam. He was in G5D (me, G5G). We stayed at Don Bosco, Konstanz (with the whole batchmate a.ka. Budak Baden) and travelled to Radolfzell every day. 

"Uishh, memula aku ingat mata aku ni sakit ka apa taktau"

Being in the same group, being new in Deutschland, we experienced a lot of things and we continued to be Kumpels even after that in Albstadt. Even though we stayed at different places, we are stayed close in the group. He later continued to study in Konstanz. 

Noq was a great guy. We are like connected even though Konstanz is about two Umsteigen away. He was a real companion. We don't really talked about stuff that some close friends do, we did but not like the normal way. I remember when i talked to him about my future (now is) mom-in-law wanted me to send her an email introducing myself. And i also remember that when we talked about relationship issue, that i knew how deep has he been hurting inside. 

Another thing is the respect that we felt. I have such respect towards him even more than most of other close friends. He used to visit me even though i was staying in a such small town. Really, not much to do there (most of the people i knew said so - but i liked it there). And when i visited him in Konstanz, he has always been the best host. Yes, always.

We have countless travelling between us. We ride train together and we travel by car together. He was my co-driver on most travel. Perhaps it was the musafir that brought us close together. Yes it is said that we will know a person better through musafir. We do remember the story of Umar al-Khattab about knowing a person well.

He was a person that i looked for when i was in trouble. I remember borrowed his money when i had some problem (can't recall which problem). His knowledge in religion was good and i respect his view on religious matters. When his dad passes away, i was with his friend sending him to the airport. It was winter and his way of accepting the situation was calm and respectable. I am sure that Allah loves both him and his father.

A fan of Andreas Kloeden, he was the one who introduced me to Tour de France. Once, during his internship somewhere in Albstadt, the housemates were more of football fans. He told me how he watched the TdF recap on internet. I only get to really know cycling when Carlos Sastre won in 2008, long after he tell me about Ullrich and Armstrong mountain TT etc.

This guy loves BBQ, he liked to lit up the fire, prep the meat and chicken, almost everything related to BBQ. Dia ni kaki bakar. And another thing, his ayaq asam and kuah kacang were one of the best i have ever tasted. 

Less that i knew when he was closing the deal with Meem. I only have this kind of hunches or feeling but can't really expose him on that. Oh well, they travelled together to Digun's wedding. Well, we were like finding our ground at that time upon returning back to Bolehland. I was there at his wedding, when all other guest have left, even they were also have went home (to pray la :p). He was unable to attend our wedding but he texted me with meaningful text when i was travelling to the airport. 

He is blessed with one wife and two baby girls. We are not always in contact but believe me, by God, I will look out for him whenever he needs me. May our friendship be blessed as per the hadith below:

The Prophet (praise be upon him) said,

“There are seven whom Allah ill shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade:

-      a just ruler;

-      a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic;

-      a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; 

-      two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; 

-      a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but be says: 'I fear Allah',

-      a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity;

-      and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.”

Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Sahih al-Bukhari (english trans.) vol.1, p.356, no.629 & Sahih Muslim english trans.) vol.2, p.493, no.2248

(credit to Islamic Network - The seven under the shade of Allah (SWT) and Hadis-hadis harian)