In Memory of Ustaz Hj. Arshad Bin Nor

Ustaz Hj. Arshad was the son of my maternal grandfather's cousin. He was born and raised in Bawean Island. In the 50s, he migrated to Singapore during the British Colonization. My maternal grandfather was his closest Uncle, the only next-of-kin living in Singapore. My grandparents took care of him before he got married and had a family of his own.

Obek Arshad, as I used to call him, was a learned person in the field of Islamic Studies. He used to work in the Prison as a religious teacher to the in-mates. He also used to bring pilgrims to Makkah for Ummrah and Hajj.

During his employment period with the Queenstown Prison, Obek Arshad lived at the Queenstown Prison's workers living quarters. I used to follow my parents whenever they visited him at his home. Every time my parents told me that we were getting ready to go to Obek Arshad's home, my heart always jolted with joy, feeling excited full of eager to meet him and his family. I was always looking forward to play with his children while the adults were having conversations.

Obek Arshad was a very cheerful person, full of smiling expressions on his face. I remembered him as a warm, kind hearted person. He was always happy to welcome members from his uncle's family to his home and made the stay an enjoyable one. I enjoyed very much listening to his interesting ghost stories that he told to keep the little ones entertained. His advise not to fear the dark nor the lurking-places of Unseen Beings remain etched in my mind till this day. Instead, he would say to always fear Almighty Allah.

I always remember Obek Arshad as an Ustaz with a gifted voice that was stern and firm, especially good at reciting quotation of verses in the Qur'aan. His passion to continuously seeking Islamic knowledge could be seen from the library of Islamic books he had read, displayed on his book shelves. His career as a religious teacher had inspired me to pursue my studies in Islamic Knowledge at tertiary level. Obek Arshad will always exist in my memory as the Uncle whom I think highly off and regard him with the utmost respect.

Ustaz Hj. Arshad passed away a few days ago, on Monday, 9th June 2008 at about 4.00 p.m. and was buried the next day. He left behind a widow, two sons, three daughters and several grand-children. Truly, I am remorseful for not able to bid him farewell on his death-bed, and I send my deepest condolences to his widow and children. Indeed his family has lost a good husband and father. I have lost an Uncle and Singaporean Baweanese have lost one of its pioneer educators who had contributed in shaping good Muslim individuals. For all the many good things that he had done, may Allah’s blessings be upon him. May his soul be placed among those favored by Allah (s.w.t.). May Allah (s.w.t.) grant peace to Obek Arshad's soul in the world of Barzakh. Aameen.

Indeed we are here on this earth temporarily. When it is time to leave this world, the soul has to leave the dead body that has to be buried six feet underneath the ground. Thus, from clay the human body was made off and to clay shall it be returned…..