Little Light of Life

Do you know what the light of life is? Is it like the sun? Maybe candlelight? Or the fire light? But all of those are wrong. The real light of life is in this story.

A long time ago, a man was born in a little village, in Temanggung, Central Java. A couple was very happy about his birth. This couple was Kinan and Ahmad. They came to the figure in the village and ask for advice from the figure regarding their child's name. He was named by Abdullah. Kinan and Ahmad were very pleasant and thankful to the God Allah and the figure. Abdullah was a healthy and fat baby. 

Kinan and Ahmad hoped to their child can give influence people. So they planned to educate Abdullah to be a wise man. Kinan and Ahmad sent him to the figure to study the religion. They also taught Abdullah at home. Kinan and Ahmad were very spirits to give the lesson to Abdullah. Until Abdullah's age was on 10th. Ahmad thought that age was good for sanding him to the boarding school. But Kinan, Abdullah's mother, didn't agree with that idea. She wasn't very willing to separate from her child. Ahmad as his father said to Kinan, "Kinan, remember to our hoping for Abdullah!" Kinan replied, "Yes, I remember it, but why we must send him to boarding school. He was just 10th. I'm afraid if he goes to boarding school." Ahmad laughed and said, "Kinan, we must give what we have to Abdullah, he is our child. I am sure he will be a good man." Kinan asks sadly, "Why are you so sure about that?" Ahmad replied calmly, "Because Abdullah is our child, so I am sure for him." After listening to Ahmad, so Kinan was been calm and directly agreed with Ahmad's idea. 

In the morning, Ahmad was making conversation with Abdullah while joking. Ahmad said to Abdullah, "Kid, are you ready to separate from your mother?" Abdullah replied, "I don't know for sure, in my deep feeling, maybe I don't ready, because I need her. But if destiny said it for me. I am willing for that." Ahmad was shocked and happy at his child's reply, and he hugged his child and said, "You are a good boy, Kid. I hope you will be the best guy in the future." Abdullah was so curious and asked, "Dad, is there something for me, why do you say it?" Ahmad replied further, "Kid, I will send you to boarding school soon, so I asked you for ready or not to separate from your parents, I am really happy with your answer, thank you, Kid." Abdullah said, "So I will go to boarding school, maybe it will be so sad, but InshaAllah I will do my best for you, Dad." Kinan was in the bedroom, listening to their conversation, she was crying a lot and praying to the god for her child.

Ahmad and Kinan prepared for Abdullah, the cloth and his needs for him in boarding school. They sent him to Tebu Ireng Boarding School in Jombang, East Java. Ahmad planned that Abdullah might not get home after he became the figure for the people and gave the light to the people. Kinan was crying when Abdullah wanted to leave. Kinan said to him, "Son, care yourself there, eat enough, rest enough, study a lot, and make a friend." And Abdullah said to his parents, "Mom, Dad, please pray for me, I will do my best and remember what you both hope for me there, and Mom will do what you said for me." So he left them and went to Tebu Ireng Boarding School with spirit and hope. 

A day to day, month to month, year to year, Ahmad and Kinan very much missed Abdullah. But they were very patient with their child and always made praying for Abdullah's sacrifice in boarding school. They often talked about their dream for their child. Because they very loved him and wanted Abdullah to be a famous guy. But, someday there was a neighbor in his village, the neighbor didn't like Ahmad's family, because Ahmad's family was poor. The neighbor said, "Kinan, don't be too happy and confident of your child, he will not be a famous guy," the neighbor mocked Kinan. Kinan was very upset and wanted to depend on her family but Ahmad said to Kinan, "Honey, don't be angry about what they said, just the way we are, we never disturb them, so don't be angry, just pray for them, and do a good thing for us," Kinan was so calm directly and said thanks to her husband. 

After 10 years, Abdullah was 20 years old. Kinan said to his husband, "Honey, I very much miss Abdullah, he is 20 years old right now." Ahmad replied, "I know your feeling, but we must be patient, May Allah SWT bless him always." At that time, Ahmad and Kinan wanted to go to the market to fulfill their necessities. They walked together while talking. But at one spot, they heard the Azan. They decided to pray at the mosque. Unpredictable, they didn't realize with the imam. They just did as usual in praying. But after they finished the prayer. The man with the white dress who became the imam made closer with Ahmad and said, "Assalamualaikum, Dad." Ahmad was shocked and confused. Asking who he was, the man said, "I am your son, Dad, Abdullah." At that time, Ahmad realized and hugged him. Ahmad said, "Oh my son, Alhamdulillah, My Light of Life." 

Abdullah was invited by the people to give sermons. Kinan and Ahmad watched him. Abdullah introduced his parents to the people that his parents gave and supported him by praying and spirit, so he became public figure. Kinan and Ahmad were crying happily while Abdullah was giving a sermon to the people. They were happy and thanked God for giving them a chance to their little light.