The first 2 out of 6...

"What's the closest thing to us in this world?"
The students gave him several answers like family, friends, teachers, etc. He said
"None of you were wrong. But the closest thing to us in this world is death".
Because it's God's promise that every living thing will eventually die.

The 2nd question he asked was
"What is the farthest thing to us in this world?"
Starting to have some doubts in their answers, the students mentioned things like the moon, stars, or the sun. Again he said
"None of you were wrong, but the farthest thing to us in this world is our past"
No matter how we do it, what ever our vehicle will be, we will not be able to go to the past.

Those are the 2 out of 6 questions that Imam Ghazali asked to his students.

The last few days I was thinking about this. I also got "reminded" at least twice. Once when Thordis told me that she got stuck alone in an elevator at her office (but thank god she's ok), and then when I read Erica's blog about one of her friend, Donna, passed away (God bless her).

In Indonesian language, the word "world" is called "dunia", it is adapted from Arabic language that is called "Dunya". In Arabic language, one of the root meanings of "Dunya" is near.

As a believer, I believe that there's a life after death. That the world is also a near or close journey. Some people are trying to avoid to talk about death, even they know that they will one day experience it.

For me, I'm starting to try and see death in a positive way. I want to enjoy my life in this world, especially my life after death.

Remembering that it's "too far" to go back to the past, and it's getting closer and closer to the end of my journey in life, death will remind me to enjoy my life, to struggle for what I want to achieve in life by helping others. Until the time comes, and I will say to God and my self with a big big smile : "I'm ready :-)"

That's my thoughts on the 2 questions, and in case you want to know what are the rest of Imam Ghazali's questions to his students at that time, here they are:

"What is the biggest thing in this world?"
His answer was "your desire". So make sure that you have and use the desire you have for the right and good things.

"What is the heaviest thing in this world?"
His answer was "when you're given trust by someone".

"What is the easiest thing in this world?"
His answer was "to leave praying because of something else" (a moslem should pray 5 times a day)

"What is the sharpest thing in this world?"
His answer was "your tongue".


with smile,
ali