WE HAVE YOU IN PRAYERS, ALWAYS
PARENTS should not outlive their children. My heart goes out to the parents of 5-month-old Adam Rayqal Mohd Sufi, whose body was found in his babysitter’s freezer.
The infant’s death saw Malaysians taking to social media to voice their sadness and outrage.
Speculation on the cause of death was circulated online, from choking on his milk to blunt force trauma to his head.
The pictures of the alleged perpetrators, which were shared via social media platforms, fuelled anger and frustration.
We have heard enough news of such deaths, which have triggered discourse among experts, politicians and the public on the importance of hiring trained babysitters and the need for daycare centres at workplaces.
Many have been championing the latter call, and it was reported that several ministries provided this facility for their staff. But more can and should be done.
I don’t want to sound like a broken record but this call should be made again and again.
Adam Rayqal’s case has grabbed the nation’s interest because his body was found wrapped in cloth diapers and placed in a green recyclable bag and stuffed in the freezer.
Netizens have described it as barbaric. I couldn’t agree more.
Some speculate that the babysitter must have, in a panic, stashed his body in the fridge.
Regardless, it is wrong to handle the remains of a baby in this manner.
Finding the right babysitter is like playing Russian roulette.
You cannot predict what will happen, despite the excellent reviews from those who have sent their children to the babysitter whom one is considering hiring.
When we were looking for a babysitter for our son a few years ago, we were blessed to have found one who exceeded all our expectations.
Our babysitter treats our son like her own. She not only cares for him by making sure he has food to eat, or enough rest after his kindergarten, she teaches him to read the Quran and about being a Muslim too.
She scolds him when he deserves to be scolded and gives him a hug when he needs one.
To ensure that she can give her all in the care of my son, this godsend babysitter sets a limit on the number of babies she will take under her wing.
She will not take more than two babies and she is strict on this.
Every day, I count my blessings for having her as my son’s babysitter. I wish all parents could find someone like her.
Words of encouragement began to pour in when Adam Rayqal’s death was reported.
One of them was from Federal Territory Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri. He has dedicated a hadith to the baby’s parents.
He shared an incident involving a man who lost two of his sons. The grieving father was told that Prophet Muhammad once said children who died young were children of paradise.
The children would wait for their parents and hold on tight to their fathers and mothers until God granted a place for the parents in paradise.
For Adam Rayqal’s parents, I hope you will find comfort in the kind words of many during this trying time.
Baby Adam Rayqal, we have you in our prayers always. Sweet dreams in your long slumber ahead, rest in peace, Al-Fatihah.