Father's Advice

Scenes from the famous Teluk Kemang Beach

After a long period (perhaps a few years!) of not having any proper family vacation, we finally had a short escape to Port Dickson (25-26 June 2024). The main objective was to visit my niece Hana, whose parents are currently performing Hajj in Makkah (May Allah accept from them and all Hujjaj, ameen). Me, my 2 younger sisters (K & Ay) and my nephew Umar later tried to lure our parents to descend the stairs for the beach, but my father had a painful knee that he was only able to overlook us from above (May Allah cure him and grant my parents a healthy, blissful life ahead).

Anyways the second objective of the trip was to discuss some details pertaining to the much-anticipated year-end family retreat, which was achieved in a brief After-Maghrib session. 

The beach I had long dreaded to visit since the beginning of this year

What captivated me most about this trip, however, was the priceless advice my father gave. Among the take-away(s) I learnt:

• We can choose what to do with our lives. Life can accommodate to whatever small or big things, nothing is impossible. Thus, gantungkanlah cita-cita yang besar untuk hidup. Whether we achieve it or not, that is secondary. Allah ingin melihat usaha. & mental strength is needed through and through; it is the mentality that - whatever needed to get there, I will do & I will give.
• Have plannings, but above all, have tawakkal: Dengan tawakkal, semua perkara akan boleh dicapai.
• Di mana ada kemahuan, di situ ada jalan (Where there is a will, there is a way)
• Be visionary - Think of what you may contribute and what legacy to leave behind - plan for what benefits humanity and solve their problems ahead of time. It is easy to be stuck in today's hustles and events, and hard to see beyond them/what's coming in more than say, 50-100 years. i.e. As a scholar, you may want to publish something that serves as a manual for people to hold onto the era of uncertainty. Having that said, dengan adanya cabaran dan permasalahan di sekeliling, di situ jugalah letaknya peluang amal yang amat mahal & bermakna untuk kehidupan akhirat kita terutamanya.
• Always improve yourself (i.e. update to a better version over and over again). Plan for the future that's coming instead of being stuck in the present. Grow, grow and grow.
• Don't settle for the status quo. Always think of how you may challenge yourself, polish yourself, learn new skills, improve your condition. See where the battle is and be there. Ask questions and keep on learning. Be sharp, be analytical and push forward i.e. work for the betterment of yourself and the Ummah. Always think of what you could give / contribute to the Ummah.
• Always have hope. Allah will not give you a problem without possibilities of solutions, and there's always wisdom in His planning. Even if you can't seem to trust yourself, trust in Him. He will take care of your affairs, and grant you things beyond imagination.

I know that my parents have always wanted only the very best for us. My utmost hope is that Allah SWT bless them with the best of this dunya and aakhirah, and put them under constant care and guidance. May we be blessed with union in this world and in the eternity of the hereafter, in His Firdaus Al-A'la. 

p/s: Today 28/6/23 is also the Day of 'Arafah (9 Zulhijjah 1444H) in Malaysia. May this writing constitute 'amal soleh for me and 'amal jariah for my parents later on, ameen.