You may have heard or even participated in the Hijrah Walks (Nite Explorer) jointly organised by Saff-Perdaus and some mosques as well as community centres in the late 1990s.
But many may not know about the very first Hijrah Walk known as ‘Rentas Ranjau Malam’, which was piloted in May 1997 by some 50 brothers and sisters walking from Punggol Point to Masjid Pertempatan Melayu Sembawang – a distance stretching for about 30km. The walk started at about 10 p.m. at night and ended the next morning at 6 a.m.!
The programme was flagged off by the then Perdaus President, the late Ustaz Embek Ali. Imagine Punggol Point being really ‘ulu’ back then, especially at night. Ustaz Embek walked with us for at least the first kilometre, showing us the way.
When we first conceptualised the programme, we were thinking about how to convey the seerah of the Prophet s.a.w. to our brothers and sisters in the most vivid and practical way. Some of the brothers then just had their ORD (Operationally Ready Day) from National Service. The idea of Force March came to our minds.
Walking in congregation, let alone at night, was not a common practice then. However, we thought it would be a trailblazing moment. We walked it, so others could follow suit.
There were a number of elements that we thought were the must-haves in the walk:
- Small groups (Halaqat)
Participants were to walk together in small groups like a self-contained unit. Combined, the groups represented a solid structure – ‘Bunyanun Marsus’ – as mentioned in Surah As-Saff in the Qur’an:
“Verily, Allah loves those who strive in His Cause in rows (ranks) as if they were a solid structure.”
(Surah As-Saff 61:4)
- Tazkirah (Reminders)
During breaks and rest points, brief tazkirah were given to remind the participants of the important events in the Seerah – the Battle of Badr, the Hijrah (migration) and Fathul Makkah (Conquest of Mecca), while we continued to motivate one other to press on.
- Bonding of participants
True to the Athar of Umar r.a.: “You will not know a man until you eat, travel and spend the night with him.” That single night with the long walk had given us the opportunity to know one another better. In fact, some of the brothers and sisters eventually became the organisers and backbone of the Hijrah Walk the following year.
- Safety Vehicle
Those who were not walking were deployed as safety vehicle commanders who followed the big group slowly from behind, standing by in case of any casualties. Back then, we were blessed with only one vehicle.
- The journey being as important as the destination itself.
The route had a good balance of flats and slopes. Back then, park connectors (PCN) were unheard of – only pavements and at some point, roadside curbs. Nowadays, whenever I pass by those roads, I would be reminded of that night.
- The Remote Destination
Masjid Pertempatan Melayu Sembawang was chosen for its remoteness and also its very friendly and warm welcome towards student and youth organisations (this is true till this day!). Many Freshmen Orientation Camps were held there by different Malay and Muslim Student Associations then.
- Timing
Last but not least, the timing also played an important part. Night was chosen due to its coolness. Alhamdulillah, Allah s.w.t. allowed us to reach the mosque at the perfect timing – the tearing moment when we heard the Fajr azan as we approached the mosque.
As we ended the program with the Fajr Prayers in congregation and simple breakfast of bread with kaya and butter, we reflected on our journey. The cramps, the sprains and the exhaustion were all forgotten by the common goal of seeking Allah’s s.w.t. Pleasure as we completed the journey as one.
May Allah s.w.t. accept and bless our humble efforts to better appreciate the seerah of the Prophet s.a.w. through the expedition. Ameen!
If you were to chance upon or participate in any ‘Hijrah Walk’ event by Perdaus or any other organisations any of these days, please make a little du’a (prayer) for the pioneers of Rentas Ranjau Malam.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles on The Ocean’s Ink are the authors’ own, written in their personal capacity. They may not reflect the view of The Ocean’s Ink or IMSGP as an organisation.