The Hizbul Wathan Education Behind General Sudirman's Steadfastness

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – In the official biography released by the TNI History Centre, there are various stories about the significant influence of Hizbul Wathan (HW) in shaping the personality of General Sudirman. The Indonesian military figure joined the scouting within the Muhammadiyah framework during his teenage years.

“Through Hizbul Wathan activities, Sudirman’s leadership talents became evident. He became a disciplined scout, responsible, and with a love for nature,” reads a passage from the book.

In general, there were three activities that young Sudirman participated in as an HW scout: spiritual education, physical training, and community service.

For the latter, the man born in Purbalingga, Central Java, was required to be active in the Majelis Penolong Kesengsaraan Oemat (now PKU) of Muhammadiyah. Together with his peers, he helped collect zakat, prepare Id prayers, slaughter sacrificial animals, and distribute meat to residents, as well as various other positive activities.

There is also a story of an HW scout camp on the slopes of Batur in the Dieng area, Wonosobo. During that activity, the characteristics of teenage Sudirman were evident when facing extreme situations and conditions.

As night approached, heavy rain fell. The air became very cold. Sudirman’s peers, unable to withstand the cold, asked permission to move to another tent or go down to residents’ houses.

Meanwhile, Sudirman remained in his tent. A friend on night watch duty once heard the recitation of Ayat al-Kursi—Quran surah al-Baqarah verse 255—from inside Sudirman’s tent. After that, he was seen putting on warm clothes and performing night prayers.

Engaging in Dawah

Hizbul Wathan became the initial path for young Sudirman to engage in dawah fieldwork as a Muhammadiyah cadre. His activity is also recorded in Pemuda Muhammadiyah. In 1937, he became the deputy of Pemuda Muhammadiyah for the Banyumas region.

It was in Pemuda Muhammadiyah that Sudirman’s dawah skills were further honed. A fellow activist in the organisation, Hardjomartono, provided testimony, as recorded by Sardiman in his book. According to him, Pak Dirman usually engaged in dawah in various areas around Banyumas, including Rawalo.

There, Hardjomartono and friends once conversed with Sudirman. “O youth of Muhammadiyah! There are two important choices in the life we are living now. First, isykariman, namely a noble life. Second, musyahidan, namely death as a martyr. Which do you choose?” said Hardjomartono, quoting Sudirman’s words at the time.

“If choosing isykariman, what are the conditions?” said a friend.

“You must always worship and strive for the religion of Islam,” Sudirman replied.

“What if musyahidan?” Hardjomartono interjected.

“You must strive against every form of falsehood and strive to advance Islam.”

“So, everyone must strive?” another added.