Suaramuslim.net – When Love Is Unrequited (KCTB) is the title of a song I wrote to remind myself not to expect too much in return for whatever we give to others. We will often be disappointed if we always expect others (whether it is family, friends, subordinates, superiors, garbage collectors, security guards, and others) to repay us for our kindness (even though it is not really us who do good, but Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala who has kindly brought us the people we help, inspire, and enable us to do so).
The lyrics of the KCTB song (soundcloud.com/gancar-premananto/kala-cinta-tak-berbalas) are as follows:
" Like the sun on the earth, shining without expecting anything in return.
Like the moon and stars at night, decorating without expecting a commission.
Unlike us who always demand, for all the love and beauty that is given.
Let us learn from the sun, let us learn from the moon and stars.
Oooo….
Like a cool breeze that blows, never expecting your thanks,
Like a shady tree that gives shade, never complains even though you don't protect it.
Unlike us who always demand, for all the love and beauty that is
given.
Let us learn from the wind, let us learn from the shady tree.
Oooo…
Reff: Just love, because you are a lover.
Just love, because you are compassionate.
Just love because you are compassionate.
Just give because you are generous.
We learn from nature, we learn from the Creator of nature,
Because we are all HIS creatures, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful”
The song encourages me to be sincere in whatever I give to others, regardless of whether it receives a positive response or not. Sincerity, as stated in QS Al-Ikhlas: 1–4, is a phrase that doesn't contain the word "ikhlas" (sincerity) in any of its verses. What this verse conveys is an awareness of God's existence as a place of dependence, that everything He provides is for our good.
Love for humans does not have to be reciprocated, but loving goodness for His sake will certainly be rewarded.
Author: Dr. Gancar C. Premananto*
*Coordinator of the Master of Management Study Program, FEB, Universitas Airlangga Surabaya