By: Samsul Nizar
Professor & Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Every commemoration of the Prophet’s birthday, his presence is a moment of happiness for the entire universe for the birth of the lord who brings grace. He is the king of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, the owner of a million examples of a perfect human being (perfect in the physical and knowledge). All dimensions of the mawlid space are the totality of glory exemplified by the Prophet so that people do not get lost in the wilderness of “ignorance” they go through. This is demonstrated by Allah through His words: “Indeed, there is in the Messenger of Allah a good role model for you (i.e.) for those who hope (for) Allah and (the coming of) the Day of Judgment and remember Allah a lot” (QS. Al-Ahzab: 21).
The above verse is an answer to the QS. al-Ahzab: 20, when Allah denounces hypocrites who said that they are believers. However, in reality, they only deny what they believe. For this reason, Allah reminds believers not to imitate the nature of hypocrites who say they follow the teachings of the Prophet, even though they do not do what they have promised. Everything is done to cover themselves to achieve the interests of worldly desires that are layered. As for the hypocritical character, it is challenging when given advice or following truth studies. Their comparative studies seem to be higher than those who advised them. The nature of the hypocrites is only filled with the hope of interest. Even though a mediocre string of words would be said to be extraordinary because of its importance. Meanwhile, if the hope of interest has disappeared, the praise disappears immediately, especially when the power has disappeared; even the words of the Prophet (maybe) are considered empty without meaning.
For the owner of a hypocritical character, all truth advice is like a drop of water on a taro leaf. Even though the water flows through it, it leaves the leaf surface without the slightest trace. Clearwater (maulid Nabi) that drips will only spill onto the earth, dirty merges into the mud and is left behind. If every momentum of Muhammad’s birthday is “like water on taro leaves”, which is only limited to wetting the tongue, there is a loud commotion on the warning stage. Then he will pass away from his actions without being able to transit even for a moment. If a drop of “water of obedience” is Maulid, but it doesn’t last long, it’s gone by the gust of “breezy wind” of the world’s interests that shake the taro leaves.
There are several indications of the personality of taro leaves on the birthday of the prophet Muhammad SAW that befell humans, including:
First, the expression of the people of the Prophet Muhammad. Still, the behaviour is contrary to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Although Allah clearly says: “And we have not sent you (Muhammad), but to (be) a mercy for the worlds” (Surah al-Anbiya’: 107), this is clear with the example shown by the Prophet, but all vanished by the insistence of material “interests of lust”, thrones, prestige, politics, and so on. In fact, as his people, humans are obliged to make the prophet Muhammad an imam in all dimensions of life. The Prophet’s people with various variants, not only verbally speaking, but actions following the behaviour of “Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl”.
Second, shalawat is limited to a string of words and a hum of the tongue but is not able to water to grow too long for the Prophet, but at the same time, the eyes of the heart are getting blind and frozen. The expression of shalawat is a noble sentence spoken by the entire universe to the Prophet. Allah states this through His words: “Verily Allah and His angels pray for the Prophet. Dear you who believe, pray for the Prophet and say greetings with full respect for him” (Surah al-Ahzab: 56).
The Messenger of Allah returned the people’s prayers with longing for them. This is as explained by Imam al-Qusyairi in his book ar-Risalah, quoting the words of the Prophet Muhammad: “When will I meet my lovers?” The friends asked, “Aren’t we your lovers?” The Prophet replied, “You are my friends, my lovers are those who have never seen me, but they believe in me. And my longing for them is greater” (HR. Anas bin Malik).
It’s a loss if the memory and blessings are only on the birthday celebration. It’s also humiliating if the vibrations of memory and strings of shalawat are only limited to accessories that cannot build a longing to keep the message of the Prophet; what’s more if the shalawat strand is only used as a “protective banker”, to cover the loss of self from the teachings of the Prophet.
Third, Munajat (heartfelt prayer to God to expect pleasure, forgiveness, help, and guidance) hopes to get intercession, but their daily behaviour is just waving His curse. Indeed, Sholawat is a medium for hoping for the appeal of the Messenger of Allah. This is stated in the Qudsi hadith, that Allah said, “Even if it were not for you, Muhammad, I would not have created this universe.” For this reason, shalawat and longing for the Prophet are like two sides of a coin, giving birth to the people’s hope in the Prophet’s intercession. Of course, prayers and longing refer to the Prophet’s example and morals. Because if shalawat and enthusiasm are limited to lip decoration, while the behaviour is contrary to the teachings of the prophet, it means that you are “making fun” to wave the curse and wrath of Allah and far from the intercession of the Prophet.
Fourth, the Prophet always remembers his people, but the people only remember the cronies and forget the teachings of the Prophet. Such was the love of the Prophet for his people. This can be seen through the words of the Prophet: “I ask Allah for intercession for my people. And it is granted by Him for those who do not associate partners with Him” (HR. Ibn Abi Syaibah and Ahmad).
However, the memory of the Prophet to the people sometimes does not correlate with the memory of the people who are dominant to his cronies. When this happens, it isn’t easy to establish proper connections, but what is essential is that relationships are meaningful, even though they justify all means and sell religion.
Fifth, Maulid routines (along with their accessories) are always commemorated; instead, Munkar is being fought over and the main agenda. Meanwhile, the teachings of the Prophet are no longer being cared for and are increasingly abandoned due to ignorance.
Although busy proclaiming moderation (tolerance), celebrating the Prophet’s birthday is still considered heretical. The reason is that the moderation process applied uses a reverse thinking mechanism. The Prophet started the foundation of moderation based on internal Muslims. After Muslims are established to respect each other and become maximum behind the Prophet, it is only then that it spreads across religious communities. Internal harmonization will be a positive value for building external moderation. This can be seen from the early period until the birth of the Medina Charter. The Word of God is implemented through this foundation: “Dear you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from the fire of hell whose fuel is human and stone; the guardians are angels who are harsh, harsh and obey Allah in what He commands them to do. Always do what they are commanded” (Surah at-Tahrim: 6).
Sixth, the Messenger of Allah was firm in disbelief and was polite to others. This attitude is the red thread of the perspective of a Muslim. Although polite socially with infidels, firmly related to religion (aqidah). Allah states this in His word: “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are harsh towards the disbelievers but have compassion on one another” (Surah al-Fath: 29).
While remaining, what he said was implemented reverse under the pretext of “clothes of tolerance and human rights”. As a result, the “clothes” forget the rights of the majority. There are indications that there are several rules, understanding of laws and policies as “guests” or newcomers in their own country. The placenta is neatly planted with a clear lineage of NKRI nurses.
The objectivity of the Prophet to maintain the rule of law regardless of who did so is clear. This is seen in the hadith of ‘Aisha RA, which says, “In God’s name, if Fatimah bint Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand” (Narrated by Bukhari-Muslim).
The logic of the hadith above shows that even the closest family to the Prophet was punished if he made a mistake, let alone only a colleague. The closer to descendants, the more awake one’s morals are. It is clear and perfects the example the Prophet exemplified for his people to follow, both in vertical and horizontal dimensions. For this reason, scholars who always follow the Prophet’s standards maintain etiquette. They even tried to start with small things to fortify themselves from bad manners to the Prophet.
They do not use the term Maulid (with the same variant meaning) for themselves because the purpose of Maulid is only pinned to the Prophet. As for the ummah, the scholars use the term “haul, ” commemorated after his death. Thus, the scholars maintain their manner before the Prophet, who substantially presents the Prophet’s birthday every second and leaves an impression full of longing without stopping.
This is the verse of Allah, so clear are the words of the Prophet, so the birthday of the prophet (as well as other PHBI) is commemorated. Will all be able to imprint in the heart, reside in the mind, and manifest in af’al (deeds)? Or is it just a drop of dew from heaven that falls on you like water dripping on a taro leaf without a trace? If so, lose yourself because the depths of heaven’s water will only be enjoyed by the earth, which always glorifies and prostrates Allah. If this is a human choice, it is natural that self-activity does not reflect the totality of the values of the Prophet’s birthday. Naturally, the revelation of “several events” that have occurred recently (already happened, is happening, or will happen) are “Allah’s verses” in the form of kauniyah (signs or conditions created by Allah SWT in forms, objects, events, events, and all other things that exist in nature) as proof of the truth of the Prophet’s message which has been betrayed and lied by humans in real terms. Like a plant that has been planted and is time to reap, both in the dimensions of the seeds of his wickedness and piety. Everything must be inseparable from the scenario and the secret of Allah to learn for all of His creation, brilliant humans full of longing for the Prophet.
Then, does the birthday warning still pass without a message and impression that makes an impression on you? If this happens, then the prophet’s birthday is only limited to water dripping on the taro leaves, or the self has the character of taro leaves.
Only every recipient of the gift of longing for the Messenger of Allah can feel happy with the lord of nature and bring the Messenger of Allah together in every breath. If this is engraved, then the entire space of oneself is only filled with the name of Allah and a reflection of the character of the Prophet. Amen ya robbal ‘aalamiin. But I don’t know because it’s not just a word area but a feeling area that is not lettered and can’t be lied to.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by Riska Saputra, S.Pd
Alumni of the English Education Study Program of STAIN Bengkalis
Master Student at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology in National Central University, Taiwan
