The Strength of Intention

This story was narrated to me by my late FIL(#1), a retired Headmaster, some 25 years ago and is written here from my not so-strong memory.

Pak Cin (not real name) operated a meat stall in the wet market of Alor Star. I am not sure whether he was the owner or just a worker. Although he was not earning much, his children were rather successful, three have already graduated and were working in the capital city while the other one was studying overseas. Pak Chin was one of the follower (makmum) of my late FIL, at a surau located beside my late FIL’s house.

One evening after the sunset (maghrib) prayer while waiting for evening (Isya) prayer, my late FIL prodded Pak Chin “ When are you going to Haj, Pak Cin (he was known as Pak Chin and my late FIL addressed him as Pak Cin although he much younger than my late FIL)”

“Oh where can I find the money, Chikgu. Saya hanya kais pagi makan pagi (what I earned in the morning, I ate it in the morning)… but I have the intention to go to Mecca to perform the Haj, one day..” came the reply.

“Ha, good ..you do have intention! How strong is your intention.. do Pak Chin have buku simpanan Tabung Haji (Tabung Haji saving book)?" said the retired Chikgu.

"No, Chikgu, I do not have the book as I thought I do not have much money to save, not while my children are still studying" said humble Pak Chin.

"OK, now that most of them are working, why don't you go and open up an account for yourself and bring your wife to open up an account for her as well, maybe you should go tomorrow then " said my late FIL, who can be rather commanding, at times.

The following evening, my late FIL asked Pak Chin about the previous day conversation.

"Yes, I went and open up the account but my wife refused, she told me 'Ah, why bother!, we are not going to get enough money to perform the Haj from your meat stall's income anyway" Pak Chin informed my late FIL rather sadly.

"Good, after our prayers; why don't you telephone your daughter, tell her of your intention to go to Mecca and perform the Haj next year, give her the account number and ask her to tell the other children as well" countered the old Chikgu.

"InsyaAllah, I will do everything that Cikgu has recommended" replied Pak Chin.

The next two evening, Pak Chin beaming with pride told the maghrib congregation that his eldest daughter has deposited RM500 to his account.

"Don't you think, you should ask your wife whether she would like to open an account as well?" my late FIL asked.

"Oh I will try to persuade her tonight" Pak Chin replied.

A few days later, Pak Chin came for the congregational prayer and proudly announced that another RM1000 has been deposited into his account by his two other children. The children did promised to try deposit more money should they have some to spare so as to ensure their father can perform the Haj next year. A few days earlier, Pak Chin has informed the congregation that his wife has refused to open an account - saying that she do not want to unnecessarily burden her children.

Less than two and a half months later, Pak Chin's youngest daughter, who was then studying in the States, won a second prize, worth USD5,000 in an essay competition. She has told her father that she entered into the competition, which offered USD10,000 as first prize, only after hearing that her father wish to go to Mecca and perform the Haj next year. She also told her father that she will be depositing RM5,000 to her father's account as soon as she get her hand on the prize money.

The Tabung Haji fare (for going to Mecca and perform the Haj and come back) in 1985 was a little bit less than RM5,000 per pax. Thus with RM7,500 in his account, Pak Chin has enough money to perform the Haj, the next year -alone, within three month of making known and acted on his intention.

He duly went to Mecca and performed the Haj as planned.

Now we will never know whether their youngest daughter can win that USD10,000 first prize should the mother also declared her intention to perform the Haj with Pak Chin.