Every year on 17 August, all Indonesians celebrate independence day.\nThe celebration is synonymous with flag ceremonies, competitions, and\nvarious other lively activities. However, behind the festivities, there\nis a religious dimension that often escapes attention. Indonesian\nindependence was not merely the result of physical struggle, but also a\ndivine gift that should be appreciated.<\/p>\n
The nation\u2019s founders, such as Soekarno and Hatta, were fully aware\nthat independence could not be achieved by human strength alone. They\nbelieved in God\u2019s intervention in every step of the struggle. This is\nreflected in the third paragraph of the Preamble to the 1945\nConstitution, which states, \u2018By the grace of Almighty God and motivated\nby the noble desire to live a free national life, the people of\nIndonesia hereby declare their independence.\u2019 This sentence firmly\nasserts that independence is a blessing and grace from God Almighty.<\/p>\n
Did you know that Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945 occurred\nduring the month of Ramadan, specifically on 9 Ramadan 1364 H? This\nhistory is similar to what happened at the beginning of Islam in the\nHijaz. The Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, and in the\nmonth of Ramadan the following year, the Battle of Badr took place\nbetween the Muslims of Medina and the Quraysh disbelievers of Mecca.\nThis battle occurred in the Valley of Badr, where the Muslims achieved a\nglorious victory in that month of Ramadan despite being fewer in number\nthan their enemies.<\/p>\n
If we use sensitivity in translating and interpreting it, then it is\nnone other than that the victory of the Indonesian nation over the\ncolonisers is equally a blessing of God\u2019s grace, just as it was bestowed\nupon the Muslims in the Battle of Badr.<\/p>\n
Victory and independence were not without sacrifice. If the Prophet\nwas driven out to Medina and some of his companions died in the Battle\nof Badr, then many sacrifices were also made by the Indonesian nation,\nsuch as the loss of territory, loss of property, and heroes who died and\nfell in various military confrontations such as the first and second\nmilitary aggressions, the Java War, the Padri War, and other wars that\noccurred in this archipelago.<\/p>\n
Therefore, independence celebrations should be a moment of reflection\nand gratitude. This religious attitude can be realised in various forms,\nnot only through formal religious rituals. For example, by maintaining\nnational unity and integrity. Does not Indonesia have the motto\n\u2018Bhinneka Tunggal Ika\u2019? Its meaning is that unity is a reflection of the\nteachings of any religion that teaches love and harmony. When we live in\nharmony, regardless of differences in ethnicity, religion, and race, we\nare carrying out God\u2019s command to love one another.<\/p>\n
The first religious dimension relates to history, while the second is\nclosely related to the collective consciousness inherited from\nIndonesia\u2019s Muslim heroes. If we are truly aware of the tested\nconsistency, regarding the steadfastness of those who were loyal to the\nState and Religion, then that is what we must do as Muslims. We must\nensure that in various forms of independence celebrations, everything is\nin accordance with what God has ordained. There should be no new forms\nof commemorating the services of heroes that involve sin and immorality,\nforbidden acts such as parties, drunkenness, consuming prohibited\ndrinks, or taking drugs.<\/p>\n
So what else was achieved by the Muslim heroes in Indonesia besides\nIndonesian independence? If we reflect more deeply on God\u2019s word in QS\nFussilat:30, that indeed those who say \u2018Our Lord is Allah\u2019 and then\nremain steadfast, the angels will descend upon them and say, \u2018Do not\nfear, nor grieve, but rejoice in the Paradise that has been promised to\nyou.\u2019<\/p>\n
Its meaning is that steadfastness in monotheism, steadfastness in\nfighting to uphold the religion, and liberating the Indonesian nation,\nensures that even after their death they do not feel fear or sadness;\nrather, their state is calm because they have been promised Paradise. We\nfinally become aware of the fatwa of Hadratus-Syaikh Hasyim Asy\u2019ari\nregarding the Jihad Resolution. When Bung Karno asked what the ruling\nwas on defending the homeland, not only defending Allah, the Messenger,\nand the Islamic religion, the firm answer from K.H. Hasyim Asy\u2019ari was\nthat anyone who struggles to defend the State and Nation of Indonesia is\nobliged to do so, and if they then die in battle defending Indonesia, it\nis considered martyrdom.<\/p>\n
This became the foundation for a new chapter in the struggle on 10\nNovember in Surabaya, when the santri, the community, and all elements\nof the Indonesian nation fought against the colonisers. It is fitting\nthat this day and date be declared as National Heroes Day.<\/p>\n
The third religious dimension relates to national symbols. Our\nnational symbols also have deep religious meaning. The Garuda Bird, the\nnational emblem, represents strength and majesty. On its chest is a\nshield symbolising Pancasila, whose first principle is Belief in the One\nand Only God. This shows that the nation was founded on the basis of\nfaith in God. Likewise, the Red and White flag, where the red symbolises\ncourage and the white symbolises purity. This combination not only\nreflects the spirit of struggle, but also the spirituality underlying\nthat struggle.<\/p>\n
In celebrating independence, let us not only focus on the\nfestivities. Let us reflect again on its deepest meaning. Independence\nis a gift from God, and our task is to safeguard it with full\nresponsibility, unity, and gratitude.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-religious-dimension-in-celebrations-of-indonesian-independence-1787197934", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }