Last week, I tuned in to a radio program where listeners shared their experience about commuting long distance. Some even traveling more than 200 km every day just to get to work and return home. Their stories were truly eye-opening.
Many had different reasons for making such sacrifices. Some chose to endure the long commute because they didn’t want to live far from their families. Others stayed close to home to care for elderly parents who are not in good health. A few even mentioned that they value the environment at their current workplace so much that they were willing to face the long hours on the road.
Reflecting on these stories, I realized that this situation is more common than we think. In Islam, our responsibilities towards family especially our parents hold great importance. Choosing to stay close to them, even if it means extra challenges like a long commute, can be seen as part of birrul walidain (dutifulness towards parents). At the same time, the effort and patience required for such a daily routine can also be viewed as a form of sabr (patience) and even a kind of jihad in one’s career journey.
Personally, I also face a similar challenge. Every day, I travel more than 100 km to and from work. It requires waking up very early in the morning just to arrive at the office on time. On average, I spend almost three hours on the road daily, which at times feels exhausting even with the company of radio DJs.
One day, I remembered the digital tasbih I had in my bag. From that moment onwards, I decided to turn my commute into an opportunity for zikir. Instead of letting the hours slip away, I now fill my journey with remembrance of Allah. What once felt like wasted time has now become a moment of ibadah.
Here’s the zikir routine I follow during my commute:
- Monday – Bismillah (1000x)
- Tuesday – Astaghfirullah (1000x)
- Wednesday – Ya Latif (1000x)
- Thursday – Subhanallah (1000x)
- Friday – Selawat (1000x)
Alhamdulillah, this practice not only brings peace to my heart but also makes my long commute more meaningful. What used to feel like a burden has now become a source of barakah and spiritual strength.
At the end of the day, our careers are not just about climbing the ladder of success. They are also about how we manage the journey, the sacrifices we make, and how we align our routines with our niyyah (intention) to seek Allah pleasure. Even in the middle of traffic, there is always an opportunity to remember Him.
From a career perspective, these stories and my own experience remind me that work is not just about salary or position. Sometimes, it is about finding balance between professional growth, family responsibilities, and personal well-being. Those who commute long distances are not simply traveling for work; they are making choices that reflect their values whether it’s caring for loved ones, staying close to family, or preserving a positive work environment.
It made me realize that in our career paths, we will always face sacrifices. Some cost us financially others take our time, and many require physical energy. But what truly matters is whether those sacrifices are made with the right intention. If our niyyah is sincere for family, for seeking halal sustenance, and for contributing positively at work then every kilometer we travel could be counted as ibadah in the sight of Allah.
