Idulfitri Sermon 1447 H: Haedar Nashir: Ramadan Worship Must Not Stop at Formal Aspects
General Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Haedar Nashir, delivered the Idulfitri sermon for 1447 Hijriah at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) on Friday (20/3). In his sermon, Haedar stressed that the worship of fasting during Ramadan must not stop at formal aspects but must give birth to real behavioural changes in personal and social life.
The success of true fasting, Haedar said, is marked by an increase in the quality of morals, social concern, and the formation of a life aligned with Islamic values.
‘Fasting must succeed in changing the behaviour of every Muslim, both individually and collectively, while creating an environment and system of life that aligns with the values and wisdom of fasting worship,’ Haedar stated.
He assessed that not a few people fast only to experience hunger and thirst without impact on daily behaviour. Therefore, the momentum of Idulfitri must become a turning point to improve the perspective on worldly life.
According to him, Muslims need to adopt a moderate (tawasuth) attitude in dealing with worldly affairs, avoid excess in consumption, and prioritise a frugal and productive lifestyle. Especially in difficult economic conditions, an efficient and wise attitude in managing resources is very important.
‘Use the excess that one has for beneficial things, including giving alms and charity as provisions for the afterlife,’ he added.
Haedar hopes that post-Ramadan, Indonesian society will increasingly be free from various forms of damage, such as corruption, abuse of power, and environmental destruction. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening unity and avoiding destructive social conflicts that harm national brotherhood.
‘Life together must be built with a spirit of harmony, mutual care, and civility, not mutual vilification, belittling, or enmity,’ he asserted.
In terms of religion, Haedar encouraged improving the quality of worship among the ummah, both in obligatory prayers, sunnah worship, and enlivening mosques. This is considered important to strengthen the relationship with Allah while forming a calm personality with noble morals.
He also invited Muslims to build a harmonious, tolerant, and peaceful life, including in the use of social media. According to him, social media must be used as a means of maintaining ties and goodness, not to spread hatred, slander, or enmity.
In addition, Haedar highlighted the importance of building the progress of the ummah in various fields. As the majority group, Muslims are encouraged to improve the quality of education, health, economy, as well as the ethos of knowledge and entrepreneurship.
‘Muslims must become the main force in realising an advanced, just, and prosperous society,’ he explained.
Special attention was also given to the younger generation. Haedar reminded that children and the next generation should be educated optimally, both in physical, mental, spiritual, and intellectual aspects, and kept away from negative influences such as drugs, violence, and free association.
Concluding his sermon, Haedar invited Muslims to pray for brothers and sisters in various parts of the world who are experiencing conflict and suffering, and hoped that Indonesia would become a safe, peaceful, and blessed country.
‘May the Indonesian nation become baldatun thayyibatun wa rabbun ghafur, a good country that receives Allah’s forgiveness,’ he concluded.