Why Flying Is Always on My Wishlist

Bismillāhirraḥmānirraḥīm.

Looking back at the younger version of myself a few years ago, I feel incredibly grateful for being raised in a Muslim family. At that time, however, I didn't truly understand the deeper meanings behind many of the values and teachings I had grown up with. They were simply things I followed because they had always been part of my life.

Everything began to change after a deep conversation with my dad. He spent much of his youth working as a sailor, traveling across places I had only ever seen on maps. That conversation became one of the first moments that opened my eyes. I realized that many of the questions I had been asking about Islam would only make sense when I stepped beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone and experienced the world for myself.

What inspires me even more is not merely the places my dad has visited, but the person he became because of those journeys. Like every human being, he has his shortcomings, and I have witnessed them myself. Yet amidst all of that, there is one thing I have always admired: he never abandons his Tahajud prayer. Night after night, year after year, he remains consistent.

As I grew older, I began to realize that this kind of consistency does not come from nowhere. It is born from experiences that are deeply lived and carefully reflected upon. I believe the oceans he crossed, the storms he endured, and the countless encounters throughout his life shaped the way he understands his relationship with Allah. Watching him made me realize that traveling is not only about seeing new places—it is also about discovering meanings.

And perhaps that is why flying has always been on my wishlist. Not because I simply wanted to see the world, but because every journey carries a lesson, and every lesson brings me a little closer to understanding the messages Allah has written for me.

My first journey was not merely about moving from one place to another. Looking back, I believe Allah planted the desire to seek and explore within my heart. Before sending me further, He first taught me how to stand on my own feet in Yogyakarta—a city that, for me, perfectly represents simplicity, humility, and curiosity. It was a place where I learned to grow independently while discovering who I truly was.

And then, unexpectedly, that decision led me to another flight—one that would change my life far more than I could have imagined.

Perhaps without those experiences, I would have remained a Muslim simply because I inherited the faith from my parents. But it was during those journeys that I began to embrace Islam with understanding and love. Living in a country where Muslims were a minority taught me lessons I had never fully grasped before.

For the first time, I understood the wisdom behind wearing the hijab. And honestly, that understanding protected me in ways I cannot fully describe. Once that message reached my heart, I never again considered taking off my hijab. Instead, my thoughts shifted toward learning how to wear it in the way Allah intended.

Of course, my journey is still far from perfect. I hope no one judges the pace of my growth, because every step of my hijrah requires understanding, reflection, and sincere conviction. I deeply respect everyone who is walking their own path, just as I am walking mine.

This experience also strengthened another belief I hold dearly: we are human beings who know very little. And the things we choose not to learn, not to seek, and not to understand may become our greatest losses. Curiosity, in many ways, is a form of gratitude for the opportunities Allah places before us.

Until today, I still believe that everything happens for a reason. Every place, every conversation, every flight, and every unexpected turn has shaped the person I am becoming.

And perhaps the most important lesson I have learned is this: Allah does not need us. We are the ones who need Allah.

So here's to growth, faith, and the courage to keep learning. May we all continue becoming better versions of ourselves, guided by the values we believe in and the faith that brings meaning to our journey.

Cheers, and may our paths always lead us closer to what truly matters.