Assalamualaikum and good day….
(^o^) This entry’s title is definitely NOT a sequel of “Alien VS Predators” or “Freddy
VS Jason”. But since today is the 100th anniversary of the sinking
of R.M.S. Titanic, it shouldn’t hurt to reflect on the past. Besides, George
Santayana once said if we don’t learn from our history, we are bound to repeat
it. Therefore, it is relevant for us to study this event while comparing it to
the success of ship which did survive through a disaster; Noah’s Ark.
.
R.M.S. Titanic triumphed in its trial on 2 April 1912 and
begin its maiden voyage on 14 April 1912 while sunk on 15 April 1912, 2.20 a.m.
(actual time is still open for debate as timezone is taken into consideration
but “2.20 a.m.” is the most accepted time so far). Titanic’s encounter with an iceberg
which led to its demise were believed due to:
- Over speeding rendered the ship unable to steer away from the stray iceberg.
- Telecommunication breakdown regarding wireless contraptions on board. Updates on iceberg drift and call for rescue bears no fruit.
- Rivets of steel panel on the starboard were made of substandard materials and coincidentally, the iceberg did hit the starboard during the fateful night.
There are claims that Edward
J. Smith, the captain of White Star Line (a company which owned fleet of cruise
ships that include Brittanic dan Olympic; Titanic’s sisters) said arrogantly, “Even
the God Himself cannot sink this ship” thus, this tragedy serves as a lesson to
those who dare to deny HIS power. However, the writer was unsure on the
originality of this statement but we still can learn something from this.
Noah’s Ark was built and completed by Noah as commanded
by ALLAH s.w.t. under HIS supervision. Noah’s people worshipped five idols which
are actually the monuments created to motivate the people to exercise more
ibadah. After being appointed as a rasul, Noah told his people to have taqwa to
ALLAH and obey him. However, his da’wah and his build were despised by his
people. The last offer to believe his message was given in form of sailing in
the Ark but only a handful of people accept the message and embarked on the
vessel together with animals in pairs. Rain from the sky and water from earth
finally became a flood which ‘cleaned’ the earth from the kuffars.
The following are some
comparisons made between these vessels;
|
Comparison
|
||
|
Vessel
|
R.M.S. Titanic
|
Noah’s Ark
|
|
Achieved record
|
Largest cruise ship in its age
|
First ship in human’s history of
civilisation
|
|
Simbolism
|
Technological advancement and human
pride
|
Obedience and submission to GOD
|
|
Materials of construction
|
Steel, rivets et cetera
|
Planks and nails
|
|
Occupants
|
From nobles to paupers who can afford
either first, second or third class tickets.
|
Man and beast that believed Noah’s teachings and boarded by pairs
|
|
Ending
|
Sank in North Atlantic after
sideswiping iceberg on starboard
|
Survived
the great flood and docked at Judiy Mountain
|
As a conclusion, regardless of how many milestones we
have reached, GOD is still the one that Holds us. Compare ourselves to a ship,
steer away from icebergs of arrogance or risk being sunk into the sea of
stupidity and ignorance; darkening and suffocating.
Thank you, Assalamualaikum
(^o^)
Source
- Al-Quran al-Karim
- Unseen Titanic by Hampton Sides from National Geographic April 2012 edition
- Kisah Nabi Nuh A.S. by Mohd. Wahid Abd. Hanif from Solusi Edition 36-40
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