2/12/2023 SOLITARE - sendiri itu indah

Many years back, I was having tea with some friends. They were wondering why I always being alone. They sort of complaining why they hardly seeing me be around with friends and even with my wife or kids. Well when my kids were still at the very young playful age, I sort of always be with them. Every outing I'll be with them. Now they are grown up career persons. To kill my friends anxiety, I told them probably since kid I used be alone so much so I'm comfortable with such a life style. Indeed such was the truth, I'm more focus and could easily accomplished whatever that I want to do and or resolving my challenges by being "alone". Last couple of weeks, I was at my farm which not only I'm at the tough developing stage but also rigorous maintenance. Real lot of hard works still mounting ahead. I was sitting down by my banana tree to have a quick break. I was alone then. Physically and emotional  (psychologically) alone. Yet I have lots of things to do. My mind wandering on how and what to focus on. Well normally that how I dealt with issues in hand ie by "wandering - thinking - searching". Then suddenly subconciously I recited the Al Ikhlas. I then smile to myself. SubhanAllah. Being alone indeed is a great strength. In the Western psychological world they term being alone - tough guy love being alone - a lone wolf or a Sigma Person.

(2) Al Ikhlas is one of the three Qul, the three last short verses of the Al Quran. Reciting any  of them is equal to reciting one third of the Al Quran. Al Ikhlas ie Qul HuwaAllah HuAhad is one's affirmation of the greatness of Allah. He is the ONLY ONE - the purest. Probably in the simplest term, He is the truly solitare. He needs and has nobody to His almightiness. That day, after the Maghrib and while waiting for Isya, I think through of the Hidayah that Allah bestowed on me with regard the cropping of Al Ikhlas into my mind while I was damn exhausted of my farm hard works. Today, while I was waiting for my turn to see my Dr wrt some health issue, a long lost buddy came and sit next to me. He whispered: "Alone, as usual, how come?". Well I'm already 63 and 64 is coming by the corner. In the past, got fed up with this type of concern, I normally replied: "What is the problem?". But today I want to share my thought of being alone = solitare and related to Al Ikhlas.  I know out there, by time, there will be lots of people, whether they like it or not, they'll be alone. My replied to this friend sort of puzzling him. I questioned him: "Did not Al Ikhlas telling you that being alone and certain, one should be greater? Allah for being absolutely Himself - solitare so much so He is the Almighty. We being His "image" why can't we understand that we should at our level emulate Him?".

(3) My simple thought was that since Allah is alone - solitare, He indeed made Himself so creative to the extend He is the absolute Almighty. His creativity is beyond one imagination. Being alone must not be confused with being lonely. As human being, being alone, definitely loneliness will always crops in. So now the focus is not on being alone - solitare but how to over come loneliness when one is alone. This is where the Al Ikhlas guides us to the best. To me I understand Al Ikhlas not only for us to affirm that Allah is the absolute Al Mighty, but more profound, we must take a que from His almighty character to our great self development - Iman and Taqwa push.  In short, for one to be peaceful and meaningful for being alone, one must be creative.  Unleased and translate all the talents and skills in us into our best achievements. Keep thinking and doing all good things or acts that would bring us fruits. Let have a determination to share the fruits to the larger circle beyond our greedself.  Creativity make our mind and heart forever being open and searching for the better. Thus if so is our mind and heart, being alone will always turn us into much more creative and we won't waste any time for no gainful thought, emotion and acts. In Shaa Allah.

(4) Guys, the Al Quran says : "Follow me", so why not especially the Muslims, let see Allah 99 names as His characters that we should think and act on how to emulate and strengthen our Iman and Taqwa (best deeds)  as His caliph.  Well, time will come, like it or not, one be alone. Being alone doesn't warrant one be lonely. Keep your brain and physic active, sendiri itu indah, cuma jangan menyendiri - In Shaa Allah happiness is always by the corner. 

Kuching, Sarawak

22 Dec., 2023