Ramadhan requires self-examination<\/p>\n
Mustafa Bisri<\/p>\n
Millions of Muslims across the country are entering the fasting
\nmonth, while the economic crisis is far from over. The Jakarta
\nPost reporter Muhammad Nafik interviewed Mustofa Bisri,
\nwho is known for his poetry and a as religious leader with the
\nNahdlatul Ulama organization. The following is an excerpt of the
\ninterview:<\/p>\n
Question: What is the significance of the fasting month of
\nRamadhan in relation to various problems in Indonesia?<\/p>\n
Answer: If people, particularly Muslims, really want to use this
\nmomentum to examine themselves, it will be meaningful for them.
\nDuring the past 11 months, many people have only looked to others
\nbut have never looked within themselves and into what they have
\ndone before. They only looked at the wounds of others, not their
\nown pains.<\/p>\n
Treating Ramadhan as if it were only a change in eating
\nschedules would be meaningless. When people want to get closer to
\nGod, they have to look within themselves during Ramadhan.
\nWhat should Muslims do to achieve the goal of introspection?<\/p>\n
During Ramadhan, there are many special opportunities for
\nMuslims to be alone with God, such as in the taraweh (non-
\nobligatory evening prayers) and witir (other non-obligatory
\nprayers), in which they can examine whether their deeds are right
\nor wrong, as they may have been too busy with other personal
\ninterests.
\nHow could we use the values of the holy month as a religious
\nforce to strengthen our efforts to develop a civil society?<\/p>\n
Muslims have to look within themselves to know how strong they
\nare when making decisions. So far, many people cannot measure
\nthemselves in trying to decide what they should do. They do
\nwhatever first enters their mind, for their own interests. So
\nfar, they have been unable to control themselves, to do what is
\nactually intended according to their conscience. Introspection
\nshould enable one to strengthen himself against unwanted
\ninterests.
\nHow could Indonesian Muslims make use of Ramadhan to help create
\npeace in other Islamic countries, like Afghanistan?<\/p>\n
If people want to look within themselves, they will know who
\nthey really are, why they do what they do, and why they clash
\nwith their own brothers. What do they fight for? What noble
\nvalues do they struggle for? Through self-reflection, we will be
\nable to clearly see whether what we have done is correct or not
\naccording to the religion we follow.<\/p>\n
Is it true that what we are doing is really to defend the
\nreligion, only passion, or something else? During Ramadhan,
\npeople can actually see many things if they want to examine
\nthemselves. Otherwise, Ramadhan is useless. Many fasting Muslims
\nare only hungry and thirsty because they offend others and become
\narrogant during Ramadhan. They should have purified themselves by
\nimproving their religious services and approaches to God.
\nSo is it true that the conflicts among Muslims are due to
\ninflamed passions?<\/p>\n
Yes. During Ramadhan, the people who claim to struggle for the
\ncause of Islam should take a look at what they have done. Are
\nthey really struggling to defend Islam, or are they only being
\ncontrolled by their own passions? This would be clear if they
\nreally want to get closer to God and themselves by being
\nintrospective during Ramadhan. So far, we are not close to God,
\nlet alone to ourselves.
\nWhat's your comment about some Muslim groups who want
\nentertainment centers closed down during Ramadhan?<\/p>\n
Whether they realize it or not, this is only a display of
\nweakness. It is worrying, it shows that Muslims are so weak. If
\nsomeone is too defensive by forbidding others from doing
\nanything, it means he or she is afraid of being unable to abstain
\nfrom eating and drinking or controlling their other passions
\nduring Ramadhan. This holy month is a good chance for Muslims
\nlike them to recognize themselves, to know whether what they have
\ndone is useful for Islam and is justified by their religion.<\/p>\n
If people don't want to evaluate themselves, they will be
\nunfortunate during the day of reckoning in the hereafter. The
\nProphet Mohammad has said: \"Assess yourself before you are
\nassessed.\"
\nWhat Islamic values could help promote democracy here through
\nRamadhan?<\/p>\n
Many frequently forget that Ramadhan is the month of
\ntogetherness as they are often unable to do fasting alone.
\nRamadhan reminds us that we are social beings. There are,
\ntherefore, rules on how we should live with others. We should not
\nonly remember our rights, but our obligations to others as well.<\/p>\n
We also have to control each other on the basis of love. If
\npeople don't love each other, they will control others with hate
\nand other subjective manners. But if they love and bring mercy to
\neach other, their control is intended for correction.<\/p>\n
How can we improve tolerance with followers of other
\nreligions?<\/p>\n
Intolerant people usually look at others without first
\nexamining themselves. So they are arrogant and claim to be closer
\nto Allah (compared to others). This kind of attitude is not
\njustified by our religion. Islam should be understood
\ncomprehensively, not only in terms of the values of ritual
\nservices, but also regarding its social teachings on how to live
\nwith other people.<\/p>\n
If people conduct self-reflection, they will realize, 'If the
\nProphet Muhammad was so tolerant, why not me?'
\nWhy do many Muslims think that Ramadhan belongs to them only, as
\nif non-Muslims do not have enough space?<\/p>\n
It's because they (Muslims) have no sufficient opportunities
\nto examine themselves and learn about Islam due to their intense
\ndealing with their own affairs. Everything must be clear if
\nMuslims want to defend something for their religion.<\/p>\n
Is what they defend really useful for Islam or will it instead
\ntarnish Islam's image? Don't ever be trapped into doing something
\nin a bid to defend Islam, which could actually damage the good
\nname of your religion.<\/p>\n
Many Muslims often treat Islam like a husband treats a wife
\nwhom he does not really know well. A loving husband once bought
\nan expensive, red bikini for her, but she later threw it away.
\nWhy? Because she did not like it and her husband did not know her
\ntaste. It was only his impassioned spirit that made him feel love
\nfor her.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ramadhan-requires-self-examination-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}