I begin this account of my journey prior to being an IIUM student just to show you readers the epiphany of my life in the way I have never imagined it to happen to me.
Let's face the fact! Being in a religious boarding school for five years is not a one-way ticket to becoming an Islamic, well-rounded person as it may suggest to some people. I was pretty certain of my coming-near-adolescent rebellion when my parents told me I was going to be sent to a religious boarding school. I isolated myself, feeling all unloved and the surge to confront my parents was entirely positive. I swear to God I had no ideas about the kind of living and atmosphere I was about to engage myself in and it brought about a huge loss of self-esteem to me especially when I knew many of my friends were sent to prestigious boarding schools, as far as I can remember. With all the scattered pieces left inside me, I had to follow through what my parents thought best for me.
After years of the so called turmoil and impoverishment I went through at the school, later it got me thinking of the famous lines by Robert Frost as follows:
'I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference',
That was where I was fated to be and that was where I gained all the necessary gems (or should I say revelations) that have clearly transformed me into the kind of person I am at this point. I was taught and trained to be a praiseworthy Muslim through all-embracing approaches and disciplinary enforcement which were evidently effective and fruitful in building my characters as a person. My initial skepticism blew off right into the thin air. I was surrounded by a group of people who incessantly guided and reminded me at the time when I needed them the most and I can't think of how much I indebted to them. May Allah bless all their endeavours to success in the world as well as in the hereafter. Sharing some mementos, I think would be a great idea!
Later on I started my degree year in IIUM as someone who is so used to living in an environment where Islamic values and lifestyles are observed so in the beginning it was not totally alien for me to adjust myself in that respect. IIUM, I believe, has been a place I wish to dub as ' a heavenly-flowing waterfall of wholesomeness'. What I will gain throughout the course of my studies from this institution is not just a piece of certificate reflecting my expertise but a profound testament to the way I have advanced myself as a person, particularly as a Muslim. I tell you readers do not underestimate how this institution has benefited me in every way a man can taste the sweetness of such an Islamic-inspired ambiance. I hate to admit that one day I'll be graduating and I am going to miss all the ups and downs I have gone through, my sweet time with thoughtful lecturers, friends and acquaintances ,the warm environment and urghhh stop me from saying more can you?
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| Look how close we were back in the boarding school! I really miss those moments |
As a wrap-up, I just want to share the quote by Imam Al-Ghazali.
“Never have I dealt with anything more difficult than my own soul,
which sometimes helps me and sometimes opposes me.”
I wish you lovely readers all the best in whatever you do and remember this! Do not sacrifice even a moment of your life doing what you don't love. Spread your wings, fly through the sky and make it happen!
Heartfelt Regards,
Alif Ishak
Alif Ishak
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