Gus Arwani Thomafi: Uphold five values in serving NU
Jombang (ANTARA) - Gus Arwani Thomafi, caretaker of Alhamidiyah Islamic Boarding School in Lasem, Rembang, has described five values, or Madarij al-Khidmah, as a guide for Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members in carrying out service for the benefit of the ummah, society, and the nation.
Gus Arwani made the remarks during a discussion themed ‘Being NU for the Benefit of the Ummah’ held at the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java.
‘Sincerity is a pure and genuine intention of the heart to perform a task or act of worship solely to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT,’ he said in a statement received in Jombang on Saturday.
Gus Arwani, who is also a Mustasyar of the NU Regional Board for Jakarta, said that serving within NU is part of a devotion that has dimensions of the ummah, the nation, and humanity, and therefore must be grounded in sincerity and oriented towards benefit.
The five values include sincerity in service, making Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah the guiding principle in action, placing religious scholars as guides for the community, safeguarding ukhuwah, and strengthening the spirit of nationalism or hubbul wathon.
According to him, sincerity is the main foundation in carrying out service, whether within Islamic boarding schools, families, communities, government, or other spheres of devotion.
After sincerity, the principle of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah should serve as the basis for service activities through attitudes of tawassuth or moderation, tawazzun or balance, i’tidal or justice, and tasamuh or tolerance.
Gus Arwani also stressed the importance of placing religious scholars as guides for society and maintaining ukhuwah as a strength to reinforce unity, foster compassion, and build cooperation in goodness.
‘Al ulama yursyiduna al-masirah, the scholars guide the direction of the ummah’s struggle,’ he said.
The final value, he said, is strengthening the spirit of nationalism or hubbul wathon. Love for the homeland can expand the space for service, so that NU’s service not only benefits the organisation internally but also society and the nation.
‘Hubbul Wathon Tuwassi’u al-Khidmah,’ Arwani asserted.
He expressed hope that these five values would continue to be realised in the lives of NU members so that the spirit of being part of NU can be manifested through sincere, moderate service that preserves unity and provides benefit for the ummah and Indonesia.
The event was also attended by President Commissioner of PT ASDP Achmad Baidowi, Director of Institutional Relations of PTPN IV Arya Sandiyudha, academic from UNU Surabaya Mustafa, congress participants, and other invited guests.