{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1727923,
        "msgid": "religious-affairs-minister-not-all-gifts-constitute-gratuity-1778309575",
        "date": "2026-05-09 11:52:55",
        "title": "Religious Affairs Minister: Not All Gifts Constitute Gratuity",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNN_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar addressed the 219th anniversary of the Jakarta Archdiocese, using a story from the life of Prophet Muhammad to illustrate that not all gifts qualify as gratuity or bribes, particularly those given with pure intentions without expectation of reciprocation. He recounted how the Prophet accepted a deer from its owner after freeing it to feed its young, emphasising the importance of appreciating sincere offerings while ultimately releasing the animal back to nature. Umar also urged the audience to show compassion towards animals and preserve the environment, aligning with religious teachings and humanitarian values, in an event attended by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung and other interfaith leaders.",
        "content": "<p>Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar stated that not all gifts\nconstitute gratuity or bribes, especially those given sincerely without\nany expectation of return. To illustrate his point, he recounted a story\nfrom the life of Prophet Muhammad, who was given a deer by an Arab\ncitizen. This anecdote was shared during his attendance at the 219th\nanniversary commemoration of the Jakarta Archdiocese at Jakarta\nCathedral Church on Saturday (9\/5). In his speech, Nasaruddin described\nhow Prophet Muhammad once helped a deer. While passing in front of an\nArab\u2019s house, he encountered a deer that had just given birth.\nNasaruddin narrated that the deer asked Prophet Muhammad to release its\ntether so it could forage for food. \u201cThe deer called out: \u2018O Prophet, O\nProphet, O Prophet, please untie this neck rope of mine.\u2019 It was a large\nmother deer. The Prophet\u2019s guards and companions asked, \u2018Why did you\nstop?\u2019 \u2018You don\u2019t understand the deer\u2019s language, but I do. It was\ncalling me.\u2019 What did it mean? \u2018Please help me, untie this neck rope,\u2019\u201d\nsaid Nasaruddin, imitating the Prophet\u2019s conversation as quoted from\ndetik.com. After Prophet Muhammad untied the deer, the mother deer ran\noff to find food. Shortly afterwards, it returned satiated and able to\nnurse its young. Prophet Muhammad then retied the rope around the deer\u2019s\nneck. \u201cAs soon as the Prophet tied its neck, the owner arrived, \u2018O\nProphet, what brings you to our place? It\u2019s an honour. Why are you\nholding that deer? If you want it, take it. Take the deer; insha\u2019Allah,\nwe can catch another one here,\u2019\u201d he said. The deer owner then gave the\ndeer to Prophet Muhammad. Nasaruddin said this story teaches that not\nall sincere gifts and rewards are gratifications. \u201cThis is a lesson,\nladies and gentlemen: if someone gives you a gift with full sincerity,\nnot all gifts are gratifications. This is sincere, given to you,\u201d said\nNasaruddin. He continued that Prophet Muhammad accepted the gift with\nfull appreciation. Indeed, the Prophet is said to have carried the deer\nhimself without asking for help from his companions. \u201cThat\u2019s how a good\nleader appreciates someone\u2019s gift. He didn\u2019t ask his aides or assistants\nto \u2018please take that.\u2019 He carried the deer himself,\u201d he stated. However,\nNasaruddin added, Prophet Muhammad eventually released the deer again so\nit could return to care for its young in the wild. \u201cLet it go back to\nraise its young. This is a rare animal,\u201d said Nasaruddin, imitating the\nProphet\u2019s words. On that occasion, Nasaruddin also invited the public to\nlove animals more and protect the environment. According to him,\ncompassion for living beings is part of religious teachings and\nhumanitarian values. \u201cLet us love animals, let us love birds, and if we\nlove all, the sky will love us too,\u201d he said. The 219th anniversary\nevent of the Jakarta Archdiocese was also attended by Jakarta Governor\nPramono Anung, Archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Suharyo, and other\ninterfaith figures.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-affairs-minister-not-all-gifts-constitute-gratuity-1778309575",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}