In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidil Adha celebration, Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) organised a Ceramah Perdana featuring Datuk Ustazah Norhafizah Musa, on 15 August 2018. The Ceramah, held at Malakoff Academy of Excellence (MAX) and attended by approximately 70 Malakoff KLHQ staff.

Presenting her Ceramah entitled, “Pengorbanan Dalam Mencari Redha Allah”, Datuk Ustazah Norhafizah relayed the story of Prophet Ibrahim a.s. and the tests and trials that he went through in his da’wah to his people. He was first tested with not having a child after many years of marriage with his first wife Siti Sarah, but with continuous doa, Allah bestowed with him Ismail a.s., his child with his second wife, Siti Hajar.

They were tested again when Allah ordered Ibrahim a.s. to take Siti Hajar and Ismail a.s. to a barren valley and to leave them there. Because she was an obedient wife who trusted Allah and had a strong faith, she said with deep faith in her heart, “If this is Allah’s Command, then He will not abandon us.” True enough, after days of Siti Hajar’s search for water, Allah bestowed them with Zamzam water and saved them from death, thus making the place very fertile and prosperous.

The most important test of all was Allah’s command to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail a.s. which was an enormous sacrifice to ask from anyone. Being an obedient son, Ismail a.s. immediately obliged and asked that his hands and legs be tied so that he may not struggle and that his father blindfold himself so that he won't have to witness him suffer. To their amazement, Allah had replace Ismail with a ram and both of them had passed a difficult test from Allah.

Datuk Ustazah Norhafizah pointed out the most important lesson learned from Ibrahim’s ordeals was a lesson in obedience. As Muslims, we must obey Allah's commands with no question asked. Due to the firm faith of both father and son, Ismail’s life was spared by Allah. From this story, we must therefore remember that Eid ul-Adha is not just a celebration, but the remembrance of one of the greatest sacrifices in history.

Datuk Ustazah Norhafizah also reminded the audience that as servants of Allah, we must carry out His commands with patience and perseverance as we have already received plenty from Him. She added that “knowing that we are constantly under the supervision of Allah will encourage us to become a better servant as we strive to please the Almighty with our deeds.”

Also present during the session was En. Azhari Sulaiman, Senior Vice President, Operations & Project Management Services of Malakoff.