I
had the opportunity to listen to a talk by Anita Yusof, the first Muslim
female/Asian to travel alone around the world on a Yamaha FZ150i.
She shared the challenges she faced, the journey (of course), the experience,
the ups and downs of her trip, and some pictures she took along the trip. But I
especially understand and relate to what she said towards the end of her talk about being and
feeling so close to Allah when she travelled alone. I feel that too on my
trips. When I’m all alone in a strange land, I talk more to God. I pray, I lament,
I glorify Him whenever I come upon beautiful sights, I talk to Him, I beg Him
to help me catch the bus/train and that I’ve not missed it, I ask Him to help
keep me and my family back home safe, well and healthy. This makes me feel
closer to God. I only have Him and myself to rely on at all times. So yes, I do
understand what Anita meant about being so much closer to Allah on our
respective solo trips.
There are those who frown upon ladies, especially
Muslim ladies, travelling alone. Yes, by right, this is not a done thing. But if
I have to have and wait for a mahram to be available to accompany me on my
trips, I may never be able to go on one. It’s like going to perform Haj: if I had
to wait until I have a mahram or husband, then tell me what I should do if I’m
not ever blessed with jodoh? Do I wait and wait until I have a mahram available
to accompany me or do I not go in the end when Haj is an obligation on all
Muslims who are able to make the journey? Alhamdulillah, I had my brother then
who was going so I managed to go under the premise of him being my mahram,
never mind that he departed from Johor Bahru, under muasassah and different
flights and departure/arrival dates altogether. So at least I managed to
perform Haj then (but Allah, I so badly want to go again because You know why).
But what about other trips? Am I not allowed to embark on any trip then?
I believe Allah is Most Compassionate and
Understanding and that He understands my need for travel. It’s not that I embark
on trips for the wrong reasons. I don’t take hedonistic debauched trips. I
still observe my dietary requirements strictly and I don’t miss any prayers
because I’m a Muslim wherever I am, not just in Kuala Lumpur. This is important
to me because I see a lot of plastic Muslims who drink and generally behave in
ways not exemplary of Muslims the instant they’re away (oh but you’re not supposed
to say anything and just mind your own business because who cares about your faith
– Muslims should forbid evil with his hands (action), tongue (words) or his
heart and the last is the weakest of faith).
Anyway, back to travelling solo. I feel free,
liberated, happy and at peace when I travel alone. It’s an almost religious
experience when I take in new surroundings unfiltered and without the influence
of others’ prejudices, tastes or preferences. Going solo provides me the
opportunity to know myself better and indulge myself fully. I can go at my own
pace and not have to slow down or sigh while waiting for others or enduring
others’ impatience when I’m slow. Any mistakes I make are my own, I have no one
else to blame them, so it makes me accountable and my triumphs all the more
enjoyable. Indeed, there are so many benefits to travelling solo that I don’t
know why more girls don’t do it. I do join tours now and when I do, I prefer
joining one where I don’t know most of them so that way, I could make new
friends. It might be fun travelling with a group of girlfriends but I’m so used
to travelling alone and so used to my own company that I may resent intrusion
into my privacy. Besides, why not meet new people and make new friends?
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