Idris bin Jainudeen Azlan Cuttilan

Our first cucu (grandchild) Idris was born premature at 24 weeks and 2 days on Tuesday 1st October 2013 (25th Zul Qida Hijri 1434) at 3.15 am. He fought for his life for 10 days and finally accepted the Almighty Allah’s call, saying “goodbye” to us with the same tight lipped smile sometimes seen on his bapak and muda Imran on Thursday 10th October 2013 (5th Zul Hijjah Hijri 1434)  at Asr time in London, 1.50 pm. It was the 5th day of the Haj performance and a sad day for us all. Kakek Usoof and nenek Nooranie visited him after he passed away and recited the Azan and Iqamat, We also sang nashids such as “Subhanallah Walhamdullilah”, “Ya Daljalali Wal Iqram”, “Hasbi Rabbi Jallalah” and the Indonesian song “Nina Bobo” – all that would have been sung to him if he had survived.

Idris’ body was taken in a white casket and kept in his bedroom overnight. The next day we accompanied him and his parents to a chapel used by all faiths for the Janaza prayer that was led by Uwa Maliq Cuttilan. There were no pall bearers, his father took the responsibility of carrying the casket. All present were handed a service programme and a vial of soap bubbles. The reason for the soap bubbles, as explained in Azlan’s speech was as follows:

When Idris was in the incubator fluid would sometimes to get into his lungs, causing him to blow bubbles. The nurses, spotting this, would rush to put things right, but after the first few times they started to notice that he was blowing bubbles but nothing was wrong! Azlan would say that this was just Idris playing a prank on them.

Azlan read the hadith where Abu Hureirah consoled a bereaved  father by saying that all arwah arwah  children will be waiting at the gates of heaven for their parents. He also played a song by Jimmy Hendrix called “Little Wings” because it reminded him of when Idris was in the incubator with splints on his arms. Then a poem “If I Was Here What Would I Say” by Lorrainne Lehman Jones was read. The service concluded with “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish. While the music was going on and some people were blowing bubbles people had seen  a butterfly fluttering about near the stained glass window. A butterfly at this time of the year inside a building? No instructions were given by the parents when ordering the soap bubbles for the top of the handle to be in the shape of a butterfly! The programme too had pictures of 3 pale green butterflies. Again it was the designers decision not the parents! Coincidence we ask? If anyone reading this knows a connection between arwah arwah children especially babies and butterflies in Islam we would very much appreciate it if they would inform us.

We then went to Brookwoods Cemetery. His two grandfathers, kakek Usoof Cuttilan, grandpa Nevin Ranner, his father wearing the songkok  and muda Imran lowered the casket into the kubur. His father, kakek, muda Imran, uwa Maliq were helped by others present to fill and cover the kubur. While this took place everyone blew soap bubbles.  Kakek Usoof sprinkled rose water over the kubur and, following the Malaysian orang Melayu, his father, muda and uwa scattered the kubur with white flower petals; that included bunga mawar ( rose petals) from bibik Megara Tegal. Jerry Meedin then recited the Surah Yasin and the Surah Mulk. Kakek thanked all those present and to the non muslims  for their patience and observing our tradition. In his emotional speech he mentioned how he had looked forward to coaching Idris his first grandson cricket and talked about his visit to the Bradman Museum in Australia where he was presented with a gift because he had seen Sir Donald Bradman toasting in Colombo, Ceylon. (he, Usoof  was coached by Sir Leaurie Constantine known as the king of cricket) at Zahira College Colombo. He had played against the Bombay combined school and the only time the Royal Borough of Kingston, London won a match against the Greater London County Councils was during his Captain-ship).
We all said our final Salams to Idris and left for some refreshments.

From one of Azlan’s and Delwynne’s friend who came along to say good bye to little Idris:

Butterflies, Bubbles and Bradman
Very touching and humbling day today – amazing courage and fortitude, laughter, tears. Touching ceremonies that spanned multiple cultures and geographies. treating leukemia with ivermectin Spent most of the day with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. A very fitting send-off – much love to Del, Azlan, their families, and of course, Idris. :wub

On Thursday 3rd July 2014 (5th Ramadan Hijri 1435) the Aqiqah Qurban of two goats was done in Sri Lanka. The timing was not planned  and we only realised after it took place. shot of ivermectin Passed away during the Haj performance period and the Qurban 9 months later in the month of Ramadan! Also both on the the 5th day of these month!

“Al Hamdulillah we have carried out the Aqiqah in Kantale in a backward Muslim Village today. There are 127 Muslim families living in this village and most of them are displaced persons who were affected during the war. The meat was distributed to the families in the village today. 
Salaams

Iqram”

                                                                              Inna Lillalahi Wa Innaa Ilahi Rajioon

Nina Bobo -Ack.  Aneke Gronloh

Idris bobo oh… Idris  bobo,  Kalau tidak bobo digigit nyamuk//  Idris bobo// If you do not sleep the mosquito will bite

Cucu sayang cucuku sayang, Tidurlah tidurlah dalam buaian. Grandchild darling my grandchild darling, sleep sleep in the cradle

Idris bobo oh… Idris bobo, Hari sudah malam bertabur bintang. Idris bobo// The day has turned to night and scattered with stars

Idris bobo oh… Idris bobo, Bulan kan menjagamu tidur sayang. Idris bobo// The moon will guard you sleep darling

hmmmmm

Kalau tidak bobo mimpi tak datang. If you do not sleep the dream will not come

hmmmm

Tidurlah agar pagi cepat menjelang// Sleep so that the morning will come by quickly.

Inna Lillalahi Wa Innaa Ilahi Rajioon