For Selfish Young People Like Me
M. Zakyuddin Munziri
@zakiego
Originally written in Bahasa Indonesia.
Over the past few weeks, my energy and thoughts have been drained preparing for this field assignment, staying overnight and conducting research in a village. As a result, some of my closest people may have felt my less-than-kind treatment. I apologize for that. 🤍
The sun was directly overhead at that moment, shining intensely. It was noon on the 22nd day of Ramadan. I was on my way back to the village office, after spending the morning visiting villagers.
The houses here sit lower than the village road. On the left side of the road, I saw an elderly woman sitting in front of her house. I thought about passing her by, but after an internal struggle, I finally decided to turn around and approach her.
Perhaps this is one of my flaws—being overly sensitive, to the point of excessively speculating about other people's feelings. Afraid of being a bother.
After parking my vehicle, unexpectedly, she welcomed me very warmly. A friend and I then sat on the terrace of her house. As usual, the conversation began with small talk, asking what she was doing.
Near her was a mortar with ground leaves on top. I learned that it was katuk leaves, used as coloring for rice tape. She was so friendly that she even offered us some of that sticky rice tape, "How long will you be here? If you're still here during Eid, please come by." Unfortunately, I had to leave the next day. 🙂
Since I arrived, I noticed a grandfather sleeping inside the house, in the living room. But as we chatted, he immediately woke up, sat by the door, and joined our conversation. A very valuable lesson in etiquette, especially for an individualist like me.
Because the terrace was quite hot, the grandmother asked us to come inside (—after I declined several times). Once inside and seated, the grandfather went into the bedroom, brought out a fan, and plugged it in. He said they only had one fan, usually used for sleeping. So when guests come, the fan needs to be carried out.
Again, they struck me with a lesson: we don't need to have everything to be able to do good for others.
In that house, there were two cats sleeping soundly. It seemed they were the faithful companions of the grandfather and grandmother. In fact, while we were deep in conversation, the cat casually slept leaning against the grandmother.
The conversation continued, discussing their origins and daily lives. The grandfather said he was someone who easily made friends with others, so he had many friends. Unfortunately, at his current old age, with his weakening body and vision that could no longer see clearly, when someone greets him, he can only greet back without knowing who that person is.
Until our conversation touched on the death cooperative in that village. Men pay ten thousand and women pay five thousand, paid every time a villager passes away.
"We rarely have fifteen thousand rupiah," he said. I assumed that money was for basic necessities. Then he continued, "That money cannot be touched. So when someone dies, we can still pay to help others."
Boom! Those words became a direct hit that landed perfectly on my face. 🙂
The two of them, already elderly, with income that is barely sufficient, still think about helping others. Meanwhile, I, who am still young, am extremely selfish, calculating everything with numbers, acting based on profit and loss, spending money on personal needs—there's no one else I think about there. Foolish.
It didn't stop there. They also donated a piece of land for a cemetery. It's strategically located, at a three-way intersection, directly across from the mosque. They said it's to make it easier for people to visit graves.
I remembered the message of the Prophet shallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam, about what true wealth really means.
"Whoever's purpose in life is this world, Allah will scatter his affairs, place poverty before his eyes, and he will not get from this world except what has been decreed for him. Whoever's intention (purpose) in life is the Hereafter, Allah will gather his affairs, place richness in his heart, and this world will come to him humbled."
True wealth lies in the heart, which then manifests in actions.
Regarding worldly matters, the two of them had thought about renovating their house, but the grandmother said she feared the house wouldn't be finished being renovated before they are both called by their Creator.
Happy Eid al-Fitr, Grandfather, Grandmother!
May you always be in good health. And may there be time to visit again. 🤍
The two of them live in Tambak Padi Village, Beruntung Baru District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.
Initiated on April 25, 2022, 4:56 AM in Banjarmasin.
Completed on May 2, 2022, 6:18 PM in Pelaihari, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr 1443 H.
