This is part of #MuslimahMedics and #CrossedPaths. Muslimah Medics is a series that aims to give various insights of medical career for sisters, through stories of role models.
Melbourne,
December 12, 2019
09.30 am
18 degree Celcius
I sat at the reception of Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health watching people; ordered coffee, made phone calls or walked briskly to catch elevator.
By Allah's will, I crossed paths with dr. Muthmainah, M. Neurosci at Masjid Surau Kita the previous Sunday where she warmly accepted my request of invitation (hehe) to see her place of PhD research. She finished her medical degree in Universitas Sebelas Maret, Solo after which she pursued academic career of teaching undergraduate students. Intrigued to enter research field, she applied to Australia Awards Scholarship (AAS) that granted her scholarship for Masters degree at University of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, Australia. Afterwards, she quickly became aware of her passion in the field therefore resuming PhD in University of Melbourne despite certain position offers at UNS. This time, she was awarded with Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) scholarship, one of the most challenging and prestigious grant in Indonesia.
Currently on her first semester, she shared her stories of being a muslimah, a mother and wife, as well as an academic professional. She continues to participate in muslim community while excelling her medical career.
Disclaimer: please note that this conversation was carried out in Bahasa Indonesia and were not recorded, therefore all wordings are subject to the writer's understanding and memorisation. The writer takes responsibility in any misinterpreted meaning or mistranslation. May Allah protect us and guide us. Aameen.
Part 1: What's Your Identity?
"This might be underestimated for most people, but my heart can't deny it: I'd feel uneasy to eat and drink standing up." she said.
I nodded in agreement eagerly finding her comment completely relatable,
"Me too! And no, it's not supposed to be overlooked. I'd be devastated if that feeling had been taken away from me. May Allah protect us." I replied.
"Yes, may we not lose the sensitivity.. InshaAllah"
We were seated by the window of the pantry at level 4, the gloomy scenery of Melbourne played right before our eyes and the mugs of hot drink. It reminds me of muted television, as tiny people walked with different paces, completely oblivious of being observed. This overly quiet pantry exhibited a vintage atmosphere, with all the woods and old furnitures. Nevertheless, we were immersed in various discussions while indulging some breakfast snacks.
Until that dialogue happened.
If you've joined conferences, symposiums or seminars I bet you know that tea breaks are crucial for networking purposes. Serving food from various cakes, cucumber with hummus dip, chips to fresh fruits as well as soda, juices and wine (and of course, tea...), tea breaks are the place to chat with researchers, investors, and what I'd call as: giants (haha).
Unfortunately, the Western way to do this ritual is: standing up.
Staying True to Prophetic (PBUH)'s Teachings
Qataadah related that Anas (ra) said, "The Prophet (PBUH) reproached [people] for drinking while standing up." Qataadah related that he and others then asked Anas (ra), "And what about eating?" Anas (ra) said, "That is worse and more wicked."*
*With different wordings, the following compilers related this Hadeeth: Muslim (2024), Ahmad (11775), At-Tirmidhee (1879), Abu Dawood (3717), Ibn Maajah (3424), and Ad-Daarimee (2127).
However the prophet (PBUH) in another hadiths did show contradictory examples, to which scholars conclude different opinion about the ruling of drinking standing up. One of the most just view in this issue is expressed by Ibn Taymiyyah (page 219).
Moreover my teacher used to say, that as a keeper of Quran, a memoriser of Quran.. there's is certain adab we should strive to fulfil. One, must be aware that Allah has kept the Quran within his heart, that therefore it is important to present the best of adab. The best of manners. MashaAllah. Including eating and drinking, that are commonly neglected.
So then a dilemma arises: whether to act with the utmost decorum to these 'giants' or to follow the little voice of the heart to find a seat. Promoting Islam with the hijab, the latter act could be perceived as exclusivity.
Berbaur tapi tak melebur. That is how we say it in our mother tongue, mingling but not dissolving.
A Solution to Save The Day
"Whenever I'm trapped in this condition, I'd place the food on my plate and mingle with the circles. We'd be engaged in discussions and everyone else would have a light bite. I'd join the conversations, but would not eat my food yet. When the session is coming to an end, and everyone are directed to enter the room I'd quickly find a seat and finish the food."
It reminds me of the pre-travel message from my ustadzah:
"A muslim's identity shines through when faced with unlikely conditions nevertheless, remains true."
I was very touched to meet someone who resonated with the values I kept. But then again, I believe it is part of Allah's Grand plan. After all, on these days I find it rare (especially in this setting) to meet ones who would take commonly oversimplified matter as a big deal. Oversimplified matters that introduce the beauty of Islam.
A hadith narrated by Muslim (145) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began, so give glad tidings to the strangers.”
Pertaining to identity, dr. Iin put my years of contemplation in words.
"We are muslims, and especially as women we endorse it through our hijab. Like it or not, we have the responsibility of portraying the image of muslimah. We presume conveying His message through big things, overlooking things that break stigma of kampungan, unintelligent, unclean, unprofessional, etc. Whereas that's the point. That's where the syiar lies."
*Kampungan: hick/ unprofessional/ old fashioned
I got goosebumps hearing the word syiar (to communicate or to announce Islamic teachings and values).
We didn't realise we had been talking for about 2 hours. Cups were emptied, the room was too. Kindly enough, dr. Iin showed me her lab (but didn't get to see the floor where experimental sheep are breed) then took me to lunch and shalat. I was beyond grateful to have crossed paths with her, alhamdulillah. May Allah bless her and her family guidance, health, and istiqomah. Aameen. And may we all find the beauty of islam, even in the simplest things.
Wallahu'alam bis shawab.
To be continued, inshaAllah.
-h.a.
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