By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
When heard the lyrics of the song entitled “Lizard on the Wall” which was composed by Abdullah Totong (AT) Mahmud, childhood memory snapped. The lyric of the song that is always being sung by almost every mother sends her child to sleep. This song is then sung again in its entirety when we have children. So (maybe) for future generations, it’s generational AT song. Mahmud seemed to display a million messages through lizards and mosquitoes. Although unable to reveal the meaning of the song, however, there are some lessons about lizards and mosquitoes that can be learned, including:
First, the sustenance of every creature is guaranteed by Allah. All the needs of creatures are guaranteed according to their levels and needs. Of course the best measure according to Allah, not the human size which is sometimes influenced by lust. Because this is stated by Allah in God’s words: “And there is not a moving (animate) creature on the earth but all of it is guaranteed by Allah for its sustenance. Allah knows the place of the residence and the place of storage. Everything is written in a real book (LauhMahfuzh).” (QS. Hud : 6).
Indeed, the verse above explains that all reptiles that live on earth (creeping, crawling, flying, swimming, or walking), are guaranteed by Allah. Through God’s power, all animals are given the instinct and ability to seek their sustenance according to the nature of events. Everything is arranged by Allah with Allah wisdom so that there is harmony and balance. If not arranged in such a way, maybe at some point there will be animals that breed too fast or disappear and become extinct.
As a result, population growth or their extinction will threaten the survival of the entire world, including humans. This condition will disturb the balance of the environment and cause disharmony in the universe.The same is true for lizards and mosquitoes, although in silence, a lizard trying to pick up his sustenance. With the potential that it has, it takes advantage of the weaknesses of opponents who come over to it. Its efforts are not indicated, but it’s able to make the prey unaware of the traps that lurk, while mosquitoes are more easily indicated for seeking sustenance.With its agility and agility, it flies in search of sustenance and alights when sustenance has been obtained. However, the loudness of the voice made it unable to hide its presence. The pain when the mosquito sucks blood makes the opponent fight back (reaction). Not least due to the loud sound and bite, the presence of mosquitoes is easy to be identified and killed.Thus the variety of each creature picks up the sustenance provided by Allah. All present without standing idly by, let alone begging. Everyone picks up Allah’s sustenance in their own way with active, strong belief, effort without despair, while praying to Allah through his ways. Thus Allah conveys in QS. al-Isra’ : 44.
Second is vigilance of life. Don’t underestimate the powerless lizard. Sometimes, a person who is quiet and looked down upon is actually hidden by a terrible ability. Meanwhile, don’t be arrogant like a mosquito that can fly everywhere, making a loud noise that is deafening, but it’s an arrogant attitude that results in not having alertness. Mosquitoes are easily deceived and preyed upon by a lizard that is seen as helpless and motionless.
If you look at the Sufism perspective on the figures of lizards and mosquitoes, there is a message that in silence there is movement. In motion there is thought and remembrance. In thinking and remembrance, a mature plan is built according to Allah’s rules. In the maturity of the plan and according to God’s rules will produce maximum goals without deviations. It’s different if it’s the other way around. Even though it’s loud, it doesn’t do anything. Just rely on “loudness” without being vigilant in doing even if he does it often without thinking, let alone remembrance. If you think without a mature plan and lose control of remembrance, it will result in impromptu (immature) planning that has the opportunity to violate the rules and reap the fruits of failure.
Moreover, the busy tradition of “uncovering the disgrace” of others into a profession and habit, often forgets the “bulk of disgrace” itself that mounts up like a rotting carcass. Everything that happened is a speck of a verse that was shown by Allah for what was done before, so far or in the future. Don’t feel holy by seeing other people dirty, because if Allah opens the disgrace of all oneself, then one will not be able to look in the mirror at oneself. Beware if you open the disgrace of others because of Allah, then Allah will cover your disgrace. However, if we open up the shame of others because of the coffers and interests of “split bamboo politics”, then God will open our disgrace which turns out to be more severe and maggots. Vigilance will create caution and safety. While the loss of vigilance and introspection will create self-defeating arrogant behavior.
Third, lizards prey on mosquitoes and other insects, but never prey on each other. Likewise, mosquitoes, suck the blood of other creatures, but never suck the blood of fellow mosquitoes. Indeed, even though lizards and mosquitoes appear as creatures without civilization, they have etiquette towards others (of the same sex) in their lives. If anything, it’s only quarrel and fighting, but not to the point of “eating” and “sucking”.
The view is different from a handful of human phenomena, all are eaten and preyed on even others are also targeted to be “sucked” with their greed to the bone without remaining. Not limited to persecuting, but “sucking (blood) and eating” what is there, regardless of kind or not. All brushed off to achieve the desired goal.
Indeed, humans were created as civilized creatures, but in a few ways the value of etiquette is thin for each other. This can be seen at least in 2 (two) typological facts, namely: (1) outward type; existence of cannibal human (cannibalism) who like to eat the flesh of fellow humans. (2) type of nature (batiniyah); there are a few who like to prey on others by killing their character, “imprisoning” the future, or robbing others of their fortune. In order to achieve the goal, various destructive behavior efforts are carried out, including the spread of slander (verbal or social media), hypocritical behavior and “licking” figures, intimidation, arrogance, strong building of envy and jealousy (starting with hatred), or other types that aims to inhibit (turn off) the “opponent” so that his destructive goal can be achieved.
Fourth, lizards eat their prey and mosquitoes suck blood as needed. Itnever eats anything more than it needs. When what is needed is met, It will fulfill what It eats. Meanwhile, what a few people do is beyond what is needed. Even in order to achieve the goal, humans are willing to be “shepherd” by the desire to be busy seeking, pursuing, and wanting more than what they have, even for something beyond their needs and rights. There is a buildup of “something” beyond need, if necessary, the entire contents of nature to be enjoyed by the next 70 generations. It doesn’t matter whether other human beings suffer and miserableas a result of the “accumulation” (greed) that is done. When what is desired is achieved, humans forget to be grateful to Allah and share with others, but still forget themselves.Greed that goes beyond the limits of need and the ability to absorb oneself leads humans to become greedy and unjust creatures. This is described by the Messenger of Allah through his saying: “If a man were given a valley full of gold, he would want a second one. If he was given a second one, he would want a third one. Nothing can hinder his bowels except soil and Allah is Most Merciful. The recipient of repentance is anyone who wants to repent”.(HR. al-Bukhari).Being rich is not a sin, but a suggestion and demand of the caliphate. Meet the needs of the human nature. But forcing to achieve something far beyond the rights and needs often makes him slip from the path of truth.
Fifth, the presence of lizards and mosquitoes is caused by a dirty environment. If the environment is clean, lizards and mosquitoes are hard to find. The presence of the destructive nature of lizards and mosquitoes will appear when the environment is dirty or polluted. Meanwhile, constructive nature is present when the environment is clean, both physically and spiritually. This is stated by Allah through His words: “…Indeed Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves” (Surah al-Baqarah: 222).
Thus the verse above is clear. Humans are reminded to go the extra mile to ensure they are kept clean and holy, because the choice of a clean or dirty life is a reflection of the quality of a servant’s faith.
Sixth, lizards and mosquitoes are types of God’s creatures that are forbidden to eat because of the dirty appearance and food they eat. When the sinful and forbidden thing nevertheless leaves some positive effects. Why humans who are given “perfection” are not able to do good to others. Do not let the anxiety of the angels that Allah mentions in the Q.S. al-Baqarah: 30, then “accompanied” by lizards and mosquitoes which also strengthen the angel’s worries. Although Allah answered the angel’s worries with the words “Indeed I know what you do not know” (Surah al-Baqarah: 30).
The above verse tells of the limited knowledge of angels (as well as all creatures). This limitation is a creature trait that is often unable to answer God’s scenario. But in reality, there are a few humans that sometimes surpass the nature of lizards and mosquitoes. The choice of environment is made like a clean palace on the outside, but dirty on the inside. When lizards and mosquitoes never eat each other, but humans (sometimes) have the heart to kill each other (physical, character, and future murder), and even eat each other (beyond the cruel cannibals).
Everything happens sometimes triggered by trivial issues and difficult to accept common sense. But the trigger for these trivial things is often used as an excuse (self-subjective or “entrusted” to be destroyed) by the owner of “sick mind”. The pain of the mind that first suffered is from chronic and acute liver disease. This phenomenon does not mean justification for the angel’s worries, but because humans no longer use God’s instructions (written and unfolded verses, reason, heart, and five senses) correctly. Man’s disobedience to Allah’s instructions resulted in human slipping from the purpose of creation (Surah adz-Dzariyat: 56) which should be guided.
Indeed, the existence of lizards and mosquitoes contains a million lessons for the reflection of humans who have the potential of ulul al-baab.What else is “His secret” in every creation that has not been able to reveal its wisdom by humans. Can we take the positive wisdom that is meant through lizards and mosquitoes and practice it? Only the self who is qalbunsalim and Allah the owner of perfection, knows better.
WaAllahua’lam bi al-Shawwab
Translated by Kurniati, M.Pd (Lecturer and Head of English Education Study Program of STAIN Bengkalis)
