Let us see the true meaning of the word “Maaf Zahir & Batin.” It is common to greet people with “Selamat Idul Fitri” ( in Indonesia) or “Salam Aidilfitri” or “Selamat Hari Raya”(in Malaysia) which means “Happy Eid”. Muslims also greet one another with “mohon maaf lahir dan batin” in Indonesia and “maaf zahir dan batin” in Malaysia, which means “Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)”, because Eidul Fitri is not only for celebrations but also a time for atonement: to ask for forgiveness for sins which they may have committed but was cleansed as a result of the fasting in the Muslim month of Ramadan.
Yes, my dear friends, looking at the above true meaning of the word “Maaf Zahir & Batin” it is not only all about celebration, food and new clothes that we buy to use. It is a time for “atonement” to ask for forgiveness for sins that we may have done knowingly or unknowingly to others by our words, thoughts, deeds and actions. At times we find it so difficult to come forth to ask for forgiveness to those we have hurt unintentionally. This is the best time to ask for forgiveness my friends.
Then what is the true meaning of Ramadhan when we cannot ask for forgiveness and also to forgive those who have hurt us? Many of us are still living in bitterness, hurt and revenge. It happens every where, right from the family institution to the governing bodies. All we see today is only, bitterness, hurt and revenge. We have to be very careful and we need to set good values and good examples because we are all under the watchful eyes of the future generation. “What we sow that is what we are going to reap.” In the family and also in the governing bodies of the country.
Dearly beloved friends, this message goes out to all of us regardless of our race and religion and from whatever background we all come from. “Love and Forgiveness” is what we all need. Let me share something that I hold very dear to my heart today my friends. When each Ramadhan and Idul Fitri approach every year it brings back memories of my childhood in the Police Camp where I spent my entire childhood and my teenage life there. My dad was just a policeman attached to the Police Field Force in Ulu Kinta, Perak. During the month of Ramadhan I still remember helping my mum to make “roti jala,” and “tosai” with chicken curry for the bachelors that was working with my dad. We use to address them as “abangs” and we were all so closely knitted.
They being Muslims and we being Christians. There was no difference at all. Till today, when the siren is alarmed at the police camp at about 7.30pm during the Ramadhan month it takes me way back to my life in the camp. My dad use to switch on the siren to mark the breaking of the fast. We were all so happy and excited with the things going on. Even my immediate neighbours will send us some food that they have prepared. The “bond” was always there. The Muslims and the Christians we all lived in harmony and in love in that police camp. Me and my siblings will go to all the ‘makcik” and “pakcik’s” house for Aidil Fitri. Likewise we also have them coming over to our house for Christmas.
Dear friends, do we see this kind of thing anymore? It brings tears to my eyes even now as I write this postings. Why can’t we all have the good old days back as it was before? Dirty politics have ruined the love and harmony of the people. We are so careful of who we call to the house and with whom we interact. Everything is under watchful eyes. Everything has become a political issue. Friends, let us all as one bring back the essence of true meaning of a real loving community regardless of our race and religion. This is what we all want I suppose. Let us make it our desire to build a better relationship with one another during the festive seasons that we all celebrate through out the year. To all my Muslim brothers and sisters here in Malaysia and around the globe, have a Blessed Aidil Fitri and stay Blessed always.
God Bless And Unite Us All.
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