While some people spend their lives climbing the career ladder, achieving gratification from their jobs others may choose to live a peaceful life that they feel contend with. For 63-year-old Nor Azmi Daud, choosing faith over fortune meant giving up a high-paying job nearly 40 years ago, a choice that led him to a simple yet satisfying life selling fruit rojak.
Image credits: Buletin TV3
Back then, Azmi who is a father of 11, worked in the conventional insurance industry. It paid well and provided financial security, however it didn’t sit right with his religious beliefs. Holding on to the principle that “status doesn’t define us, and we won’t die from being poor,” he made the bold decision to leave the job and face whatever uncertainties came next.
Odd jobs to put food on the table before selling Rojak
It wasn’t easy in the beginning. As reported by Buletin TV3, Azmi took on whatever work he could to support his wife and children. He drove a school van, fixed cars and furniture, and even collected scrap metal just to keep food on the table.
Things started to change when he and his wife, Roslina Kassim, now 57, decided to sell fruit rojak right in front of their house. They started small, selling to neighbours, and when they saw the villagers enjoying their rojak, they moved their business to the roadside to reach more customers.
Image credits: Buletin TV3
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Their stall was once knocked over by strong winds and heavy rain, but they kept going. In the middle of their struggles, they also faced heartbreak when they lost their second child to a fever. Roslina still carries the pain of that moment, remembering how she was too busy preparing for work to feed him porridge when he asked.
Found his calling selling Rojak
Despite the hardships, their faith and persistence paid off. With help from Lembaga Zakat Selangor and their own determination, the couple managed to grow their rojak business into something stable and sustainable. Azmi believes that sustenance is in God’s hands and that even small efforts can flourish if it’s meant to be, which is why they never gave up.
Image credits: Buletin TV3
Now, after 36 years, their humble rojak stall is still going strong, becoming a part of the community and their family’s story. Azmi and Roslina hope that one day, their children will continue the business and carry on the values that guided them through life.
Their journey is a quiet but powerful reminder that choosing what truly matters, even when it’s tough, can lead to a life that’s rich in ways money can’t measure.
Tap here to give us a ‘Like’ on Facebook and stay up-to-date on the latest news!
