LA LÜZ DEL ALMA
Wardah Hassan (Malaysia)
Are you naturally attracted to light?
When you finally call it a day, tucking yourself under your blanket and as you’re gently taking in the silence of the night, your eyes capture the glimpse of bright stars dotting the blue sky. Do you notice how you inhale then exhale with the sense of expansiveness occupying your chest? You suddenly feel full while just being in the moment? Please count me in.
Mezquita de la Lüz or the Masjid of Light built in the year of 999 in Toledo made me curious as to why it is named so? This masjid is now turned museum. There were no light bulbs seen fitting neither on the wall or the ceiling but the ambience was filled with natural light.
I felt compelled to lie down on the floor and look up. There are nine vaults on the ceiling that serve as the instruments of light that collect the sunlight then channel it into the entire masjid. I was awe struck with the hidden architecture.
Are we all not going through the process of seeking light throughout our life? Indeed, this world is dark, and the embellishments are instead trying to distract us from channeling our attention to the Light of Truth.
From time to time, we take turns to be the beacon of light. We do our best to do so as we carry on with the tradition of passing the light when we convey the true teaching of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) and the heirs of the prophets.
Whether or not we are teachers, professors, scholars by profession or parents, we either knowingly or unknowingly imparting values, wisdom, learning, skills, knowledge on daily basis to those around us in our capacity. Let’s pause and revisit what is the meaning of knowledge?
Prof Al-Attas defined knowledge as “the arrival of meaning in the soul as well as the arrival of soul at meaning (ma’na)”. An hour ago, Prof Dr Wan Mohd Nor during the discourse of “Budaya Ilmu | Makna dan Manifestasi dalam Sejarah dan Masa Kini” brought the audience to revisit that definition and further put forward another question – what is the meaning of meaning (ma’na)?
“Ma’na gives people an introduction to everything so that they finally recognize the position of God and the position of all God’s creations. That knowledge helps us to know God.”
The path to seek knowledge and meaning in its true sense are trailblazed by the pious predecessors as well as contemporaries of our time. All we need to do is to put in effort, commit, and be consistent in it including raising our hands with the presence of our hearts seeking Allah’s guidance throughout.
My question to myself and to all of you my respected fellow human beings – do we uphold a worldview that is fundamentally built on that framework so that we could be like the vault described earlier – collecting and channeling light with an intent to gain His pleasure and nearness. May by His Grace and Mercy we could experience being the Light of the Soul, inside and out; la lüz del alma.
Kuala Lumpur | 8h August 2022 – 10 Muharram 1440
More information:
Mosque of Cristo de la Luz
