By: Samsul Nizar
Professor & Head of STAIN Bengkalis
The existence of the human self and glass reveals a million divine secrets. Although the self is often negligent and glass is familiar to humans, the mistake that causes the glass to break stabs the hand. Or the self who cannot keep the hand from breaking the glass. Even though everyone often uses a glass, it is only a medium to meet the needs used for drinking. It turns out that everyone needs more time to take and catch the lessons from the glasses used daily. However, all humans know themselves, and not a few slip into self-forgetfulness. One of the causes is self-forgetting to know the nature of oneself, which is often neglected.
Although glass is always used daily, it is often taken for granted and mediocre. The human self is not limited to the physical and spiritual combination; the glass is not just a tool for drinking but holds secrets for human life on earth. Through the human self and glass, truth seekers and longing for divine affection can catch great lessons for the mirror for each self. The lesson for those who want to make improvements is to uncover the veil of shackles (a result of the hijab of arrogance) between the servant and Khaliq.
At the very least, several lessons can be learned from the human self and glass, including:
First, glass can accept all the water that is poured into it. The glass never chooses the water to be poured. Starting from clean water, frozen or liquid, warm or hot, colored or not, unclean or halal, even dirty or unclean. There were accepted with sincerity, but the glass was not affected by whatever type of water filled its surface. Glass symbol of heart and mind at “point 0” in seeing all object phenomena. It is because all subjects and objects are His creatures and creations, which are indistinguishable from the creature’s side, as long as they do not concern the areas of faith, truth, and devotion to Him. Although glass accepts all types and colors of water, it never changes its existence, shape, and function. The glass never forces what water it interacts with. The glass is not affected by the change in shape when water is poured into it. Instead, the water follows and forms according to the glass-filled shape. If the oval is in the form of a glass, then the oval is water shape. The glass gives shape, not formed by the water that enters it. The glass gives value to the water when it enters it. The higher the quality and the more beautiful the shape of the glass, the higher the value of water quality.
Conversely, if the glass is not of good quality, or has a bad shape and is dirty, then the water in it will be valued low (even worthless). Such is the image of the human self. From glass, humans should be able to receive all information wisely, respect each other, and make friends with all walks of life, but not damage their natural character for their openness and never “sell themselves” for any changes in environmental interests. On the other hand, humans should color the environment with values and forms of righteousness, not be shaped and influenced by the environment by making mistakes. The glass is a parable of the human self. As perfect creatures created by Allah, humans should organize the environment as the embodiment of the caliphate’s duties on earth. However, if the environment influences and controls humans, it will damage natural human intelligence. If the intelligence and truth of the nature of the heart are damaged, then humans will become terrible creatures beyond the ferocity of nature’s most ferocious creatures. Greedy humans are like broken glass or glass that violates their duties. When the water poured cannot fill the glass’s surface, it needs to be controlled by the nature of receiving. Because a greedy man is never enough for what nature has given him. Nature struggles over the inconvenience created by greedy humans.
Second, a good glass when the top surface is larger than the bottom. The point is that the incoming water does not spill when it is poured. Humans need a glass model to seek knowledge and open themselves in interactions. If the nature of openness is possessed, then a lot of information will be received, and the benefactor will impart knowledge (information) to others without injuring the recipient. Refrain from letting it be a glass with a sharp top surface because it will hurt the “lips” of those who use it. The surface of the glass that is not sharp makes it comfortable to use. That’s how to communicate with others, should be done wisely and civilized. Thus, the message is conveyed but does not injure the recipient.
Third, when glass water is sometimes dirty and black, clean it by pouring clean water continuously. Dirty water in the glass will be removed to become clean and white. Such is the human self. Stains and sins are not obstacles to being a good human being. Pour water of istighfar and ask Allah for forgiveness endlessly. Like dirty glass water, so is the human self. If clean water (istighfar and sincerity) is poured continuously, the dirtiness and self-defilement will gradually become noble and good character. However, once the glass is clean, do not contaminate it with anything that can contaminate the water in the glass or yourself after purity is obtained. Take good care of this sanctity so it can become energy towards the love of the Most Holy.
Fourth, the human self is like water in a glass, depending on the type and color of the water in it. If it is clean, clean water will come out. If it is dirty, dirty water will come out. If it is holy and lawful, holy water will come out, and its halal will be guaranteed. If the water that enters is unclean, then unclean water will also come out. Do not beat yourself up over what comes out because something that comes out is the emission of what is inside. Make efforts to clean the dirt inside so that true self-cleanliness comes out.
Fifth, water and glass interact and provide value. If one is dirty, then both are dirty. Dirty water will have no value when filled in a clean glass. Likewise, when filled with clean water, there is no benefit to dirty glass. Humans can drink neither. The same thing happens with humans. A dirty heart in a self that “seems clean” by physical appearance cannot produce true self-cleanliness. Indeed at the time, the human self could not hide the dirtiness of the heart with a “body blanket as if noble.” Self-defilement will be spilling out despite a million attempts to cover it up. Likewise, a clean heart cannot possibly be maintained if the body in which the heart resides is polluted by “physical uncleanness” caused by dirty dust that comes from within and outside (around) oneself.
Allah gives ′′His verses′′ in human life. Even though it is accurate, people are often negligent and unable to understand the message. Thus Allah commands humans to “read” all of His words correctly and adequately as a form of compassion for His servants. A lot needs to be read and digested, but humans are often unable to read, let alone understand it. It’s normal when what is shown is wasted without being able to read the divine message that can be taken.
Could this be due to the stupidity of humans or the many human errors in Allah’s verses that make the walls of the mind and heart thick which are no longer able to reveal the secrets Allah wants to convey? Of course, everyone knows, even though sometimes they are too arrogant to feel they know better. Pride results in the death of the “sense of servitude” along with the growth of the devil’s ego. Study with a glass. Glass has a self-characteristic that can be maintained consistently (istiqomah) for existing influences. Even though they do not have a reason, glass always provides benefits to humans without destroying their existence and losing their identity. What about humans who are said to have been given reason, intelligence, and a perfect form of physical appearance? Of course, no one can judge except yourself and the owner of the Highest (God).
Wallahua’lam bi al-shawwab
Translated by: Ruzaini, M.Pd (Alumni of English Education Study Program of STAIN Bengkalis)
