The Quest for Ainul Hayat

    By Heriyanto Rabuan

    The Quest for Ainul Hayat cover image

    30 Aug, 2024

    a painting of a large group of people in a church with a priest in the center of the room, gothic art, a detailed matte painting, Christophe Vacher, renaissance oil painting

    Alexander, guided by Angel Rafa'il, sought to know more about the worship of the angels. His quest for knowledge was fueled by his love for worship.

    a painting of a large golden angel surrounded by people in a church with a blue ceiling and a white ceiling, gothic art, a flemish Baroque, Christophe Vacher, renaissance oil painting

    Angel Rafa'il revealed to Alexander the existence of Ainul Hayat, a source of water granting immortal life, located in a dark land.

    a painting of a group of people sitting around a table in a room with a stained glass window above it, renaissance, a detailed matte painting, Andrei Rublev, promotional image

    Alexander, intrigued by Angel Rafa'il's words, gathered the scholars to discuss the Ainul Hayat. Their wisdom, however, could not pinpoint its location.

    a large group of people sitting in a room with a statue in the middle of the room and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, qajar art, a detailed matte painting, Andreas Gursky, cinematic photography

    Among the scholars, Prophet Khidr emerged with the knowledge that the dark land was at the place where the sun rises.

    two men in desert attire walking towards the sunset with a desert landscape in the background and a distant horizon, dau-al-set, a detailed matte painting, Amir Zand, desert

    With Prophet Khidr's guidance, Alexander embarked on a journey towards the dark land in search of Ainul Hayat. It was an expedition filled with anticipation.

    a group of people riding on the backs of horses in the desert at sunset with a city in the background, dau-al-set, a detailed matte painting, Amir Zand, cinematic matte painting

    The journey lasted 12 years, traversing across vast lands and seas, until they reached the place where the sun rises, in line with the qibla.

    two people standing on a desert looking at the sun through the clouds and mountains in the distance, with a river running through the valley, gothic art, a matte painting, Amir Zand, matte fantasy painting

    Upon reaching the edge of the dark land, Alexander and Prophet Khidr braced themselves to enter the foreboding landscape. The darkness was unlike anything they had seen before.

    two men in desert with mountains in the background and a dark sky in the background with clouds in the sky, hurufiyya, a detailed matte painting, Amir Zand, cinematic matte painting

    As they ventured into the dark land, they moved cautiously, guided only by their faith and the promise of finding Ainul Hayat.

    a painting of a man in a desert setting with a river running through it and mountains in the background, qajar art, a painting, Amir Zand, orientalism

    As they walked, Allah revealed to Prophet Khidr that Ainul Hayat was to the right of a ravine. It was a privilege reserved specifically for him.

    a painting of three men standing in a canyon with a waterfall in the background and a sun setting behind them, metaphysical painting, a detailed matte painting, Brothers Hildebrandt, highly detailed oil painting

    Upon receiving the revelation, Prophet Khidr moved to the right of the ravine. There, he found the Ainul Hayat he had been seeking.

    two men standing in a river with trees and rocks in the background, one of them is wearing a robe, les nabis, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, detailed painting

    Prophet Khidr removed his clothes and approached Ainul Hayat. He bathed in its waters and drank deeply, securing his immortal life.

    a man in a blue robe holding a pot and a kettle in a river with rocks and mountains in the background, qajar art, a storybook illustration, Dionisius, radiant light

    After his encounter with Ainul Hayat, Prophet Khidr returned to Alexander, who was still wandering in the dark land, unaware of what had transpired.

    two people walking down a dirt road in the desert at sunset with trees and a sun in the background, les nabis, a detailed matte painting, Brothers Hildebrandt, desert

    Unaware of Prophet Khidr's experience, Alexander continued his search for Ainul Hayat. He wandered in the dark land for 40 days.

    a group of people standing in the desert with a light beam in the sky above them and a star in the sky, space art, a detailed matte painting, Christopher Balaskas, promotional image

    Despite the challenges, Alexander remained steadfast in his search for Ainul Hayat. His faith guided him through the darkness.

    a man standing on a desert looking at a mountain with a cross in it's center and a light shining through the clouds, fantasy art, a matte painting, Christophe Vacher, matte fantasy painting

    After 40 days, Alexander emerged from the dark land. He returned without finding Ainul Hayat but held on to his faith and love for worship.

    two men standing on a hill looking at the sky with a cross in the background and a bright light shining through the clouds, fantasy art, a painting, Brothers Hildebrandt, radiant light

    His journey, while not yielding the expected results, had strengthened his faith and deepened his understanding of the divine.

    a man sitting on a throne with candles in front of him and a crown on top of it,, renaissance, a detailed matte painting, Bastien L. Deharme, promotional image

    Back in his throne room, Alexander pondered upon his journey. It hadn't led him to Ainul Hayat, but it had been a journey of faith and wisdom.

    a man sitting in a throne with a crown on his head and a golden crown on his head, in a room with gold and red carpeted walls, samikshavad, a detailed matte painting, Altoon Sultan, promotional image

    Alexander realized that the journey wasn't about finding Ainul Hayat. It was about understanding the divine and deepening his faith.

    a man in a golden outfit sitting on a red rug in a room with columns and gold decorations on the walls, excessivism, a flemish Baroque, Artur Tarnowski, cinematic photography

    With renewed faith and wisdom, Alexander continued to rule with humility. His love for worship remained as fervent as ever.

    a large room with a statue and a red carpeted floor and a red table with a red cloth on it, gothic art, a flemish Baroque, Charles Le Brun, fantastically gaudy

    Alexander's journey had taught him valuable lessons. It further solidified his reputation as a devout and God-fearing ruler.

    a statue of a man with a cross in a church with stained glass windows behind him and a rug on the floor, romanesque, a detailed painting, Dionisius, art noveau

    Alexander left behind a legacy of faith and wisdom. His quest for Ainul Hayat was remembered not as a failure but as a journey of spiritual enlightenment.

    a large room with a lot of people sitting at tables and a large alter in the middle of it, arts and crafts movement, a flemish Baroque, Christopher Wren, beautifully lit

    His story served as an inspiration for generations. His pursuit of knowledge, faith, and humility became a beacon for many who sought divine wisdom.