A student’s journey from devotion to passion in design

Raudah, the garden of paradise within An Nabawi Mosque, is a place every pilgrim dreams of visiting upon arriving in Madinah.

Directly mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Raudah holds a special place in the hearts of the faithful.

For local university student Nur Adriana Batrisyia binti Haji Sahbrudin, this dream became an unforgettable reality during one umrah trip.

As she approached the Raudah, Nur Adriana found herself enveloped by a sea of pilgrims. The sheer number of people made finding a space to pray a daunting task.

“We had to incorporate tawakkul and pray at whatever spot we found,” she recounted. “Oddly, during that time, I felt a profound peace,” she said.

It was only after her prayers that Nur Adriana noticed three women standing in front of her, holding hands. She realised these fellow pilgrims had formed a protective shield around her, allowing her to pray undisturbed.

“There are Muslims from all walks of life visiting Raudah. I couldn’t tell you their nationalities, but they were protecting me,” she shared, her voice filled with gratitude.

As she embraced her guardians, offering them her gratitude, one of them whispered, “See you in Jannah.”

The simplicity and beauty of the experience was so impactful that it inspired one of her uniquely designed hijabs, aptly named ‘Eternal Gardens’.

Faith and florals

Nur Adriana’s journey into fashion is deeply intertwined with her faith. Her passion for berdakwah (preaching) – embracing and inviting people to Islam – shines through in her designs.

During an exhibition showcasing her final year project, the professional design and visual communication student presented four hijabs, each with its own powerful spiritual background.

Aspiring to expand this project into her own business, Nur Adriana’s hijab motifs prominently feature floral patterns and roses, symbols rich with meaning in Islam. “My idea is to create hijabs that tell the story of the beauty of Islam,” she shared. She explained that the decision to use fashion as a means to share and spread the message of Islam was made early on in her studies.

“By the second year of college, I had set my intention and mindset: to design not only to please others but also to please Allah the Almighty, which is why I prioritise meaningful design,” she explained.

Her hijab design, ‘Whispers of Faith’ refers to tahajjud, a blessed prayer.

The design includes a single rose, symbolising oneself, and multiple roses, representing the idea that while we cannot visualise Allah the Almighty, we can visualise His trust, planning, and blessings.

She also designed a hijab dedicated to Palestine and its people, especially its children. This design features poppy flowers surrounded by baby’s breath, a keffiyeh pattern, and a hidden watermelon, symbolising the resilience and hope of the Palestinian people.

Ultimately, for Nur Adriana, each hijab tells a meaningful story of faith that not only enchants with its beauty but also imparts profound knowledge.

Driven by a commitment to introduce good practices in design, she aims to create pieces that benefit people, convey wisdom, and hold moral value.

This is most evident in her original hijab design, ‘Ahroses’, which also serves as the name of her brand.

This design embraces the femininity of a Muslimah, highlighted by motifs of roses and bows.

“Historically, the headscarf exists in many forms across various cultures, not just in Islam. ‘Ahroses’ symbolises all female souls, connected by roses and ribbons,” she said.

“It is said that during the Prophet’s death, his grave smelled of roses, and people have mentioned that when the Kaabah is opened, it also smells of roses,” she added.

“My purpose in life is to worship and serve Allah the Almighty, seek knowledge, serve humanity, and prepare for the hereafter,” she said. – WARDI WASIL