First. New. Fresh. Latest. Refreshed.
Everyone would love to have something new. It can make us
feel more energetic, more excited or just feeling a bit extraordinary. Doesn’t really matter what it is all about; it could be buying something new, starting a new
day, getting a new job, or making new friends.
So what’s new recently is we just celebrated the beginning
of Islamic New Year, which is more familiarly known as “Maal Hijrah”. Well, it
is actually more than just a start for a new year.
There are actually two definitions of Hijrah. First, it is
literally defined as the migration or journey of Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him; pbuh) and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed to
Medina. During the time of Prophet Muhammad, Hijrah is a movement from place to
another, done in the name of Allah, for the sake of the “deen” (religion;
Islam).
The second definition of ‘hijrah’ still carry the meaning of
moving, but you do not literally move from a place, or migrate. Implicitly, ‘hijrah’
means you move yourself forward. Taking one step further. To where?
Not to a place, but to become a better person. Improving
yourself to be a better Muslim. Do more good deeds. Or leave more bad deeds.
Nobody is perfect. Why? Because nobody has arrived at their final destination.
Every living soul is still moving, everyone is still on their journey. Some
people might move a bit faster. Some people might get lost for a while and
manage to find their way back. Every single person rides on different journeys,
see different things, gain distinct experiences, but we all are going to the
same destination. To make the best out of ourselves.
This time, I am experiencing the literal meaning of hijrah.
Moving to a new place is definitely something you need to
struggle with, especially in adapting yourself with a brand new environment. It
is physically and mentally challenging. (Physically, you need to take care of
yourself 200% more than how you used to do XD). You need to socialise with people
who don’t even know how to speak your language. You have to look at the list of
ingredients on food packaging every time you want to eat or buy something. Lots of things change.
But hey, those are not only challenges.
It is a chance given by Allah for me to experience the
second type of hijrah as well. To become a better Muslim. To be more concern of
things that I care less before. To know things that I might not care to know
all this while. To admire His Greatness. To learn things in the way He chose
for me.
Let's try to look back at things that had happened in your
life and things that are going to happen in the future (of course the ones within
your knowledge). Those things happened for a reason, don’t you think so? Why do
you ended up in your previous high school, why do you went to that college
instead of other colleges, why did you join that society, why did you hold that
position before? And all other questions you can think of.
Compare it to what you’re going to do, what you’re going to
be. Can’t you see the transition? Does things make sense now? Isn’t it something
to be grateful for? Allah always knows best. He sets the path perfectly, in a
way which we will never know.
Wherever we are, we just got to keep moving, even if it's just one step forward. There’s always
a room to improve and get better.
New year. New place. New college. New friends. New house.
New life.
(And don’t wait to get yourself refreshed only on every New
Year XD)
Salam Maal Hijrah.
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