Hijrah Journal #8: Lessons from Lombok
In December 2025, my travels took me to a unique destination, Lombok Island in Indonesia. This land was very different from anywhere I had traveled before. I had not even heard about Lombok until a few weeks before I arrived there. I was in Kuala Lumpur with my family, planning a family trip to a nearby country deciding between Jakarta and Singapore. That week, I watched a video on YouTube about a South African brother who had migrated to Lombok Island. After watching this video, I decided to travel to Lombok as I had never been to an island before, and I wanted to meet this brother. A few weeks later, we left on our adventure.
The Island of 1000 Masjids
Lombok is unlike any other Muslim land I had traveled to. It is in many ways, a simpler place. Next to Bali, Lombok was the complete opposite of the popular tourist destination. While Bali is known for its majority Hindu population, Lombok is 90% Muslim and has thousands of Masjids. There is a Masjid at almost every street, and praying in the Masjid is an established norm. The people I met in Lombok were proud of their Islamic identity. These were some of the kindest, most well-mannered Muslims I have met anywhere in the world.
The one thing that amazed me about this land is how Islam reached it. Lombok is far away from the lands that were conquered by Muslim armies. Islam primarily reached this island through travelers and traders. The fact that the island next to it remains majority Hindu, while this island became majority Muslim, is to me a sign that Allah loves the people of Lombok. Allah’s guidance reaches wherever He wills, and the people of this island are proof of it.
At Peace in Nature
Lombok, in many ways, is not a developed land. The homes of locals are simple, as are their stores. Entire families ride around the island on a single motorbike. There are no skyscrapers or high-rise buildings. You will not find a metro station or many malls. The one mall I went to there was very impressive and had everything you need. But the majority of Lombok is farmland, jungle, and beaches. It is not for those who seek a luxury modern lifestyle, but for those who seek to be closer to nature.
After traveling to some of the biggest cities in the world over a few months, a week and a half in Lombok was a beautiful break from city life. I spent my time meeting with locals and migrants, learning about their lives there. We visited the local nature reserves and took walks in farmlands. I spent every evening in our private pool with my children as bats circled above us. A week in Lombok made me realize how important it is to take regular breaks from city life and spend time in nature. It was during this week that I finally found inner peace, letting go of all the negativity that I had built up in the past few years in South Africa. My soul healed, and I gained clarity of thought. Lombok holds a special place in my heart as a beautiful place to take a break from modern life.
Not for everyone
There are many benefits to living on an island like Lombok, but it is not for everyone. People who are accustomed to modern city living will find it difficult to adjust. It is a simpler land, more natural, and less developed. If you are seeking a modern city to move to, then Lombok will not suit your needs. The island has a lot of modern amenities, there are apps for everything (groceries, food, transport) that work perfectly, and the island is small enough that you can get anywhere in under two hours. Electricity and internet are stable and affordable. There is a beautiful mall in the main city, Mataram, and most food is halal there. However, the simplicity of life, especially the building designs may put some people off. If you are willing to overlook this, there is a lot to love about this island.
From the benefits of Lombok are the following:
- Majority Muslim population with Masjids and Halal food everywhere
- Locals are kind, well-mannered and committed to Islam
- The cost of living is very affordable if you have sources of income outside the country
- Nature is everywhere and its effects on the soul are immediate
- It is easy to get visas to live here
- Life is simple, peaceful, Islamic, and family-focused
I would recommend Lombok for young people who are looking to move for the first time. If you are young, adventurous and do not have many dependents, it is an excellent place to spend a few years building your savings while spending time in nature in a Muslim environment. I would also recommend it to families who are tired of city life and want to move to someplace simpler. If you need to get away from city life, even for just a few days, consider Lombok, it is a hidden Islamic gem, worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.
