To me, Tok Guru Nik Aziz is a saint
COMMENT | Out of the blue, a former classmate whom I have known as a true Malay gentleman and a devout Muslim forwarded an article 'The Tok Guru I knew' to me yesterday.
It was a pleasant surprise to read about the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - the one Muslim political leader who has my most esteemed reverence and respect. Never mind that the article was written four years ago in 2015. I have not read that piece, written by former headmaster Jerome Fernandez, before.
Only after I read the article did I realise the link – it was about the PAS spiritual leader and the cross. Of course, the lighted cross on an apartment building in Penang has been a controversial issue of late.
I then responded to my friend with this thank-you note: “I’m very delighted you have shared that piece with me. Tok Guru Nik Aziz is a saint to me. A real Muslim whom I revere and respect. Political leaders do not normally come under my radar for praises. But Nik Aziz is one in a million. He was a God-sent”.
I also forwarded Fernandez’s article to a friend in Singapore and he shared my sentiments in his response: “Nik Aziz was an exemplary humanist and a true Islamic leader. It does not matter what religion you belong too. Religion is just a label. Nik Aziz was a true man of God."
I’m glad that Malaysiakini also published a story of the piece. I’ve also noticed that the article was the most well-read story on Thursday, garnering 6.2 thousands shares and 76 comments from readers. This illustrates the love and respect many still hold dear today for the late Tok Guru. He is truly one of a kind.
There is one episode I remember fondly about Tok Guru. One will never forget great men and their humility and even a chance meeting will leave a lasting impression.
I remember meeting Tok Guru at the Subang Airport many years ago. He had just flown in from Kota Bharu. As he walked out of the arrival gate, he had on him a sling bag and wait, he was carrying another piece of luggage, too.
As he and his assistant reached their waiting transport – an ordinary Proton Wira – I approached Tok Guru just to exchange pleasantries. I held out one hand to shake his but he held mine with both, grasping it...
COMMENT | Out of the blue, a former classmate whom I have known as a true Malay gentleman and a devout Muslim forwarded an article 'The Tok Guru I knew' to me yesterday.
It was a pleasant surprise to read about the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - the one Muslim political leader who has my most esteemed reverence and respect. Never mind that the article was written four years ago in 2015. I have not read that piece, written by former headmaster Jerome Fernandez, before.
Only after I read the article did I realise the link – it was about the PAS spiritual leader and the cross. Of course, the lighted cross on an apartment building in Penang has been a controversial issue of late.
I then responded to my friend with this thank-you note: “I’m very delighted you have shared that piece with me. Tok Guru Nik Aziz is a saint to me. A real Muslim whom I revere and respect. Political leaders do not normally come under my radar for praises. But Nik Aziz is one in a million. He was a God-sent”.
I also forwarded Fernandez’s article to a friend in Singapore and he shared my sentiments in his response: “Nik Aziz was an exemplary humanist and a true Islamic leader. It does not matter what religion you belong too. Religion is just a label. Nik Aziz was a true man of God."
I’m glad that Malaysiakini also published a story of the piece. I’ve also noticed that the article was the most well-read story on Thursday, garnering 6.2 thousands shares and 76 comments from readers. This illustrates the love and respect many still hold dear today for the late Tok Guru. He is truly one of a kind.
There is one episode I remember fondly about Tok Guru. One will never forget great men and their humility and even a chance meeting will leave a lasting impression.
I remember meeting Tok Guru at the Subang Airport many years ago. He had just flown in from Kota Bharu. As he walked out of the arrival gate, he had on him a sling bag and wait, he was carrying another piece of luggage, too.
As he and his assistant reached their waiting transport – an ordinary Proton Wira – I approached Tok Guru just to exchange pleasantries. I held out one hand to shake his but he held mine with both, grasping it.
The brief 30-second exchange of “Hello” and “How are you” was enough to tell you of a great personality in this man, his diminutive figure aside. His warmth and sincerity were in full bloom. You could feel it when you were near and able to touch a great mortal being.
A menteri besar carrying his own bags and being driven in an ordinary Proton sedan – a rare sight indeed! He was certainly not one who cared about the trappings of power. Surely, I need not say more about the man’s great humility.
A true Muslim
I also recall making a declaration years ago that if I were a Malay and a Muslim and keen on a political career, I would join PAS. Why? Because of Nik Aziz. Somehow, you felt safe and secure when he was the party’s top leader.
I believed that as long as Nik Aziz was alive and was the spiritual adviser of PAS, the party was in good hands and remain steadfast to its noble objectives.
Because of Nik Aziz, I believe in the other Malay politicians – the ones that are selfless, humble and non-corruptible. The ones who have put the comfort and interests of the people above their own. The ones who genuinely care and love the people that they have pledged to serve as their political leader. If only… if only all Malay politicians are like Tok Guru Nik Aziz.
Because of Nik Aziz, I believe that Islam is a religion of peace, love and compassion. Tok Guru lived his life as a true Muslim, a man of peace, a man of love and certainly, a man full of compassion. If only... if only all Muslims are as God-fearing and pious as Tok Guru.
Because of Nik Aziz, I was prepared, even as a Christian, to support the proposed hudud bill for Kelantan. Because with Tok Guru as the spiritual leader in Kelantan, I had faith that he would be merciful to his fellow Muslims who might have done wrong in the eyes of Allah.
I also believed he would ensure that PAS would keep its word that hudud law would not be binding on non-Muslims. I’m sorry but I’m not sure I have got that much faith in any other PAS leader, other than Tok Guru, where hudud is concerned.
Because of Nik Aziz, I’ve learnt the great power and influence of humility – you can live as a nobody even when you are a somebody. That you can do even better and earn more respect without exposing the trappings of political power or personal wealth.
Above all, because of Nik Aziz, I have faith because I believed in Tok Guru.
“If I were Pope Francis and if Nik Aziz was a Catholic, the process of beatification and canonisation for sainthood for Tok Guru would begin today just as the good Servant of Allah is laid to rest”, I concluded in a tribute in 2015
To me, Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat is a saint.
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
