A Preview of Millennial Life
Living in doubt. As if it had become a new trend and hobby for people on Earth today. Doubting the Creator, doubting one another, and finally doubting the results of their own efforts and creations. Doubt is like a virus spreading throughout life, slowly eating away at the way people think about the meaning of life and how they are supposed to live it.
How could people not doubt this life?
Just look at Japan, a country known for being advanced and successful. Its people have a culture that highly values politeness, discipline, and concern for others. They are friendly, kind, courteous, and possess manners that make many people admire them. Yet when problems, calamities, or life's trials come crashing down on them, some of them are unable to withstand the pressure. Mental health becomes a serious issue, and suicide becomes one of the social problems that has caused tremendous concern there.
Crazy.
It is truly crazy when people come to feel that death is the only way out of a life that has become too heavy to bear.
Now look at Palestine. They possess such powerful faith in the Creator, Allah (SWT). When it comes to religion, creed, and worship, it hardly seems like an exaggeration to say that their steadfastness is extraordinary. The moral character and steadfastness of some of them can even make many people feel ashamed of themselves.
Yet the land beneath their feet continues to be battered by suffering. They face occupation, oppression, violence, loss, and fear that seems never to end. A peaceful life has nearly become a luxury. Bombs arrive uninvited. Crying has become a sound heard far too often.
Truly ironic.
Truly sad.
They continue to be battered by worldly problems, even by human beings against one another.
And what about Indonesia?
Our own country has so many problems in life. Corruption that seems never-ending. Violence against women. Promiscuity that is becoming increasingly alarming. Many people chase worldly matters until they forget their God. Yet on the other hand, there are also those who are too busy judging others to remember to improve themselves.
Enough. People are not always successful in worldly matters, and they are still often negligent even when it comes to matters of the afterlife.
Is life really this complicated?
Then various arguments emerged from those who had tasted both the bitterness and sweetness of life. Some became observers of life, some felt they had found the answer, and others continued searching. There are far too many definitions of life. Far too many theories about how people should live it.
They say life is supposed to be fun. Don't take it too seriously. Just relax.
They say life is a place to die, not a place to live.
They say that if someone wants to succeed, they have to work hard. Something has to be sacrificed and willingly given up. After that, perhaps they will get what they want, or even something far greater.
They say, leave everything to Allah. God willing, there will always be ease in getting through it.
They say that if we're looked down on, we should rise and fly. Turn those insults into stepping-stones toward success.
They say good people will find happiness. Their lives will be calm, peaceful, and free from too many problems.
But can that really be true?
It doesn't always seem that way. They say that if we're religious and worship, we shouldn't be too fanatical. Don't do too much of this or that. Don't forbid too much of this or that. Isn't religion supposed to make people feel at peace, rather than trapped?
They say that no matter how far someone has gone astray, when they finally reach a dead end, they have only two choices: return to His path or become even more lost.
They say that when we're given such a heavy trial, it is because Allah (SWT) considers us capable of facing it. Only we are able to solve it. No one else. And perhaps all of it is deliberately given so that one day it can become a lesson for us and an example for others.
They say don't date if you want to find the best possible spouse. But if we don't date, how can we get to know someone? How can we grow close to them? How can we learn about their personality, habits, and everything else about them? Or perhaps that is only the opinion of people who have been hurt before.
They say life is always created in pairs. There are two different things. There is no third.
Then why did I find a third in my life?
Her.
That woman.
I still doubt her, too. Is she the most important part of my life? Is she the second? Or is she actually the third? What is the truth?
Why is it so complicated?
But can there really be a third? I don't believe it.
The promises of the sky and the whispers on Earth sometimes always contradict each other. Not because of any mistake by the Creator, but because of the ambitions of me, you, and all of them. Human ambition so often makes something simple complicated. The fact is, many things do not happen the way people say they will. Who knows? Everything looks the same. It all seems illusory.
At the far edge of the evening sky, everything looks so beautiful, yet somehow it always leaves behind sorrow. Love and faith. Can the two unite into something perfect and beautiful? Or will they always be two things that mediate between each other, like seawater separating a boat from the sand on the seafloor?
That's life. Fun, but sometimes boring. Beautiful, but often painful. Full of answers, yet also filled with questions that never seem to find their end. All that matters is how you, I, or she choose to face it. Especially when what is at stake is love and faith. So which words should be believed?
To me, I am the one who determines my divine fate. Allah (SWT) is only allowed to support me. At least, that's what I used to think. Yet slowly, the liberal thinking within me began to fade. It was torn apart by the love that came from Him and from her. As time passed, the stain slowly grew fainter. Its color changed. My perspective changed. My way of thinking changed. My way of life changed. Even the smallest and most important part of my life changed along with it.
All because of Him. And because of her.