This one Tok Guru Nik Aziz is wrong :(

Salam Tok Guru Nik Aziz,

With all due respect, I do not think you should accept any gifts while still sitting in office.

You may accept a hamper or two, a small gift from another head of state etc but, never cash amounting to thousands regardless if or even more so when it is money to go for another Haj.

In fact, if a good soul hand you money to perform Haj, perhaps best the cash should be channeled to the hardcore poor that still exist in your state, or the country or a neighboring one or anyone poor regardless of race or religion around the world.

Haj is not a must especially when one has already performed it before, as you have. But helping the hardcore poor is a must. That is righteousness- true piety.

"True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west - but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day; and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance - however much he himself may cherish - it - upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God."

Quran 2:177

While the sponsor and you were genuine about it, the whole idea is wrong.
I have many times in the past supported your stand, but this is one that I cannot agree with. I am glad that you have decided not to go ahead with the trip.

Salam, anas zubedy

related articles

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/11/nation/5088206&sec=nation

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/14/nation/5108170&sec=nation