I begin with mentioning the beautiful asma’ of Allah
Ar-Rahmaan, The Most Loving and Ar-Raheem, The Most Compassionate.
The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with the First Step
October 22, 2008
Nana and I were pretty exhausted as we traveled the extensive 8 hour train ride from Aberdeen, Scotland to King Cross station in the heart of London that night. We arrived in Plaistow at almost 11 pm and we had to catch the Euro Star at 5:25 am to journey from Plaistow to St Pancras International which was about 45 minutes away. The only option available was to catch the bus from Plaistow at 3:55 am to be at the safer side. Would we make it on time?
The next day we were able to catch the intended bus but as soon as we arrived at St Pancras, we had to walk at least 20 minutes to arrive at the departure gate. Oh yes, we almost missed the train! We had our first experience being escorted by the operator’s personnel to board due to having almost missed the route. There we went, being ushered to an empty coach. They said it was fine not to sit according to the numbers stated on our tickets.
‘Spacious, clean, comfortable and serene ambiance, what a nice space to be in!’
We settled down, had our croissant and hot chocolate for breakfast while the gadgets we carry were being charged and Nana almost fell asleep. I felt as if our original seats were better than what we had now. Moment of truth: the original seats were in a crowded and pretty noisy coach. I had to swallow my pride and be quiet since my gadgets were not fully charged as the seats were not occupied with power point.
I made a wrong choice of insisting on the original seats; and not being grateful of what had been given. That was the first lesson learned on this journey to Paris. We left Garé Du Nord and wondered what we would do next at this hour? It was Sunday! This meant that almost all shops were closed. My main intention for visiting Paris was to explore Musée Du Louvre and to meet Mona Lisa as well as the Eiffel Tower.
The museum opened at 9:00 am but the Eiffel Tower and Museum were not within walking distance to one another and we had a train to catch at 2:30 pm to Brussels with no secured hotel booking. There’s so much to see in Paris: its classy ambiance and exquisite character. And yes! I wanted to see Seine and probably got on its leisurely cruise! What about Notre Dame and Monmarte? We had only 7 hours left to manage all these places.
Second lesson – plan or at least have some idea what a place is all about. Learn the logistics a little and know the operating hours. Well, we took a bus ride that brought us past Seine on the way to the Eiffel Tower after circling around and around trying to get our bearing. Although Seine is on the shoulder of the Eiffel Tower we had time constraints. We were pretty anxious that we couldn’t locate where the metro stations were!
Third lesson – keep calm and do not let anxiety overcome me. I’d miss the fragrance of the sweet yellow rose bush even when they were right under my nose. And, I tended to loose sight of directions. We hopped on to another bus to the museum. Oh yes, what a long queue was ahead of us. Two immediate considerations came across my mind. First, obtain a ticket to the permanent collection where the Mona Lisa was kept which costs €12 then exhibitions in the Napoleon Hall for €13. The combined ticket would be €16. Second, the clock was ticking. The time then was almost 11.00 am and we reluctantly had to call in a rain check. With just two hours for a tour, I doubt we would do justice to the museum.
‘I’d come back, Mona Lisa! One fine day insyaa-Allah.’
We had to console ourselves by simply going around the museum from one end to another. The architecture of the infamous Louvre Pyramid charmed my vision. Nana and I passed it with an inquisitive look without saying a word and our laughter broke momentarily.
“Shall we run down to the entrance again and take a photo with the edge of pyramid?”
We walked a lot but it felt like we walked in circles. Somewhere along the circle I noticed one thing: all the bus drivers said “Bonjour!” without fail, no matter how many passengers boarded the bus. They paused, made eye contact with a twinkle in their eyes and said that greeting earnestly.
‘How do I say salam? Did I do it that way or merely say it for the sake of saying it?’
That was the fourth most profound lesson that I learned in Paris.
***
April 26, 2014
“When you convey salam, you must be part of it. Peace be upon you, and that greeting has to come from a state of peace within.”
My teacher delivered that profound message in a discourse on the education system based on this tawhid principle. It simply connects me to my observation about the greeting experience in Paris in October 2008 retrospectively.
“When you make supplication to someone else, do check, are you part of the supplication? Only then does it serve an inclusive purpose; and with the Grace and Mercy of Allah (SWT) both would benefit.
Have you checked how you feel when you say salam while on the verge of anger or discontent towards people or an event?”
It may appear simple. I relearn today that an outcome of a deed will be determined by its authentic intention. As simple as the most profound act of spreading the essence of Islam, that is peace and compassion through salam. A pure, good intention sparks the state of tranquility within. I thank you, my teacher, Sir Roslan Jelani, for teaching me that today. Alhamdulillah.
