Gus Dur and Islam scholars

Gus Dur and Islam scholars

From Merdeka

Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) has stated in Singapore that
Megawati will not become president because Islamic scholars in
his circle do not agree to it and the majority of Indonesian is
Muslim. The statement seems to disparage the scholars and the
people because Gus Dur is of the opinion that the people do not
understand Islam teachings on "power holders among you or leaders
among you".

All people know God is just. So, if a leader of the nation can
only be a man, it means that one is not convinced of God's just
attitude. If Gus Dur wants to make a statement that involves
Muslim people, he should be careful, especially if there is no
solid basis based on God's saying.

This needs to be emphasized in order that people do not
arbitrarily make statements based only on feelings or hearsay
without doing thorough research and using rationality.

It is not possible that God teaches man untrue and illogical
things and that God is unjust. Pay attention to God's saying to
leaders, the power holders among you: "Obey God and obey the
Prophet and the power holders among you, too. If you disagree on
something, return the matter to God and His Prophet if you really
believe in God and the hereafter." (QS. 4:59)

The verse suggests that believers "obey God, His Prophet and
the leader or the power holder among them." No mention is made of
gender for the power holder. The verse shows that God is just and
does not mention that only males are allowed to hold power among
you. Thus, females are also allowed.

A. RIDWAN

Jakarta