By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
A degree is not everything; the best evidence is a great, knowledgeable, and polite individual. A diploma certificate is just evidence that an individual has completed a given degree of schooling. At the same time, a degree is a piece of evidence that an individual holds a diploma certificate. Occasionally, a few titles are acquired without a degree by “award or gifts” for various connected causes (ideal or political). Sometimes, a handful concludes a million theorem variants, which might be challenging to accept and comprehend. However, there are still justifications that can be acknowledged and granted to those who have earned them.
Titles are not to be flaunted, especially to gain acclaim. Because the Messenger of Allah restricted praise with his words, “If you must praise your brother, do so truthfully and accurately” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim). Thus, the Prophet admonished his people not to be seduced by the adulation for their certificates and titles but rather to demonstrate their civilisation. Praise often tastes nice, but it tastes like honey amid a swarm of ants. After consuming all of the honey, the ants searched for more. In turn, self-determination is analogous to a Malay saying, “like eating sugar cane after all the sweetness has been removed.” Because the acclaim earned is temporary. Only when sweetness is still present. Simultaneously, the achievements of civilisation will be more durable and eternal. However, the achievements of civilisation must be carved with honesty and not with arrogance. Because if the objective is to incise civilization without sincerity, it will soon vanish without value like “dust in the wind.” Allah reminded us in a hadith Qudsi, “I am according to the excellent opinion of My servant. Therefore, let him be as biassed toward Me as he wishes.” (HR. Muttafaqun ‘alaih).
If the purpose is to display, then Allah will display. If you desire to praise, Allah will move people to praise you. However, before God, nothing has value. The quality of a person’s attitude and the ability of his mind to construct a civilization via intellectual works are the only indicators of his knowledge. The evidence of a civilised individual is his or her self-respect (tawadhu’) and the value of kindness (benefit) for the civilization he or she leaves behind. In an ideal world, certificates and degrees correspond with intelligence as proof of one’s knowledge, stability of manners, and empathy as the price (quality) of one’s character. If credentials and degrees do not correspond with character, then the benefits of knowledge cannot be achieved. “Empty barrels sound louder” is all that he can say. A heap of ideas without work, many theories without evidence, many words without reality, a plea for pity lacking in empathy, or a knowledgeable but pseudo-style.
Using a quantifiable scientific method, it is possible to establish standards based on expert knowledge. In contrast, the measure of self-character is observable in the civilization’s behaviour and works. Diploma certificates, degrees, knowledge, and ethic should produce works that help to create creature civilization (horizontal) and servant civilisation (vertical).
When a diploma certificate and degree are everything and the primary objective, certificates and degrees are merely supplementary. Once diploma certificates and degrees have been achieved, it is believed that the process of acquiring knowledge has been completed, which should be continued. Certificates and degrees lift individuals to their greatness, at least in theory. In reality, diploma certificates and degrees improve manners and produce work. Because the Messenger of Allah once reminded him by his words: From Abu Hurairah he said, Rasulullah SAW said, “Indeed, Allah does not see the form of your appearance nor your possessions, but He sees your hearts and your deeds” (HR. Muslim).
The terms “heart and deed” in the above hadith can be interpreted as meaning that humans are viewed from the perspective of the intelligence of the heart (including reason) and the actualisation of these attributes (actions). Implementation quality can be demonstrated by creating written or unwritten works, and policies or disseminating knowledge and proof. The harmony between the quality of the heart’s and mind’s wisdom is visible in the civilisation’s buildings, which only mirror Allah’s magnificence. The image of a work with a divine dimension gives rise to a civilisation known as rahmatanLil’aalamiin. In contrast, works with a political imagery dimension only serve to deceive and mislead society. The Malay proverb states, “elephants die leaving their tusks, tigers die leaving their stripes, and humans die leaving a name.” It is only a matter of what choice of name will remain. There is a choice between a fragrant name that smells like musk flowers or a bad name that smells like corpse flowers and cannot be concealed.
Because of this, BuyaHamka once reminded us that “many humans exist but are absent. Only a handful exist and will continue to exist.” A message containing profound philosophical depth. Although many humans are born into the world, after death, they vanish and are never recognised as having “existed” by other humans. Because there is no act of charity left behind to introduce oneself to the world. Even though there are only a few humans on the planet, their presence is referred to as an abandoned civilisation. Through the intellectual works of a civilisation that he left behind, he is still acknowledged and ever-present despite his passing.
Departing from the explanation above, a diploma certificate and degree indicate a range of self-esteem-enhancing messages, including:
First,the quality of intellect. Self-expertise is the result of standards that examine the competence of scientific fields. Not like “trawling” as if mastering all branches of knowledge, but it turns out to be in the wrong direction. The ideal intellectual quality is identified academically and demonstrated non-academically by society’s sense of civilisation. Idealistically, the knowledge possessed helps the development of self-esteem and empathy. The ability that enables an individual to be a civilised human being with empathy. It would be a disgrace to provide without being requested, andselling information at a discount would be unethical. Self-deficiency in terms of one’s knowledge is comparable to “rice that is full.” Not feeling the greatest and most qualified, but rather like “weeds towering upright but empty and devoid of content.”
Second, ethical standards (etiquette and morals). Intellectual capabilities only affect the cognitive facet (reason). Nevertheless, there is no assurance that intelligence connects with emotive abilities (heart), which produce a moral. Frequently overlooked is this element. Thus, academic intelligence is present, but manners and decency are lacking. If effective intelligence is possessed, social intelligence will be born as the embodiment of the caliph, rahmatan Lil’aalamiin. The inability of the world of education to cultivate ethical intelligence is believed to have multiple interrelated factors that are challenging to resolve. In addition, ethical and social intelligence are not prerequisites for enrolling in or finishing an educational programme, let alone obtaining employment.
Third, the quality of reality (works of civilization). As with a plant, cerebral intelligence and attitude must be demonstrated by producing fruit (actual labour) that all of nature may appreciate. The actual labour is an exertion that shapes and colours the contours of human society. If it fails to produce fruit, at least it becomes a tree that provides shade and branches for perching. Do not become a parasitic tree that only exists as “riding, enjoying, and suffering,” the tree of civilisation. It’s only that the selections frequently feature depictions of pseudo-intellectuals, “grey” ethics and manners, and quasi-poor-quality works.
Fourth, the quality of electability, namely the level of electability (trustworthiness) weighed against the selection criterion for evidence of ability. Popularity and electability are unlike. There are several levels of celebrity. Nonetheless, electability should go hand in hand with popularity or vice versa. But contemporary individuals are often more likely to consider popularity qualities than electability. This is because electability takes a long, winding time, whereas popularity takes only a short time. In reality, if you do not meet the standards of integrity, popularity is not necessarily a desirable trait (trustworthiness). Because if popularity is prioritised over electability, it is analogous to the expression “purchase a cat in a bag.”He relied solely on his voice without considering the cat’s overall characteristics.
In a perfect world, getting a diploma certificate, a succession of academic degrees, intellectual traits, communication skills, etiquette and empathy, and a mountain of effort would correspond with obvious electability. This occurred during the golden period of Islam (the Abbasid dynasty), which determined the electability of a scholar based on his or her work. The caliph estimated the equal weight of gold and silver based on the effort of the civilization’s birth. The community of advanced civilisations adheres to this criterion. A visible, measurable, and objective verification process is utilised to ensure compliance with standards. The proprietor of a high culture believes that this procedure will result in an evaluation based on the work capacity of his civilization. Through the consequences of civilization, a person’s electability becomes the basis for placement based on his capacity. By his or her electability, a person can carry out a mandate, thereby gaining popularity. This refers to the words of the Prophet: “…Be prepared to confront disaster if you entrust a matter (task) to someone who is not an expert” (HR. Bukhari).
The exposure to history and data shown above are very genuine. For the adherent of a high-civilization religion, begging for positions and false promises humiliates and diminishes his sense of self-worth. Nonetheless, if his electability is not increased, he will not communicate his dissatisfaction by “attacks,” especially when employing vulgar language. God, as the owner of justice, is responsible for everything that occurs. He always makes decisions based on confidence and competence, never because “a shrimp is hiding behind that rock.” What was done was contrary to the message of Rasulullah SAW, as expressed in his words, “By Allah, we will not award places to those who ask for them and are eager for them” (HR Muslim).
Clear the hadith in question, but it all relies on the attitude adopted. Thus, the connection between a degree and its characteristics in life is evident. A diploma certificate is not merely a piece of paper that is required for employment, a series of degrees to be called smart or prestigious, and works are not only for publication and administrative objectives. For this ownership, everything must be viewed as “self-respect and a type of religion.” Nevertheless, imagine the cornerstone of “self-respect” has collapsed. In such a circumstance, a low civilization will be born with a character devoid of faith and resembling a “jumping squirrel or chameleon” who dances to meet the wants of a discordant civilisation. For owners of low civilization, expecting and attaining a “reliable position” by stomping faith is normal. As a believer in the teachings of his religion, a person with such a lack of integrityand idealism loses all sense of character. Therefore, popularity is valued to conceal the failure of electability.
Surprisingly, even though the effects of cheating appear real at the moment, they rarely have a lasting effect on people. In theory, an upstream error will decrease the quality of the process (intermediary) and a failure to survive downstream. In truth, “films originating from dishonesty” that have not been addressed are occasionally exhibited alongside similar spectacles from other recordings and fabrications. Only the “soap opera narrative and actors” distinguish the two. However, the subject matter has something in common with the event that ruptured the integrity of civilisation. Even though everything was genuine, everything seemed calm and tranquil, as though nobody cared. The impulse to “rescue oneself” predominates without a desire to rectify glaring errors. In reality, the Prophet of Allah instructed the owners of advanced civilizations to respond in three ways: “Whoever among you perceives evil, let him change it with his hands.” If he cannot, he should alter the word with his tongue. If he cannot, he must deny it with his heart; this is the weakest faith.” (HR. Muslim).
Almost everyone possesses a diploma certificate or degree today. Each owner must, however, consider administrative ownership. Is it associated with ideal cause and effect or cause and effect that does not usually exist? Indeed, a diploma certificate and a degree are required, but not just for accessories and ceremonies. Diploma certificates and degrees represent self-respect that requires maintenance. It will be relevant and valuable in humans who are civilised. However, if it falls on non-civilized beings, a diploma certificate and title will become an accessory that ruins the development of civilisation. In addition, assume a diploma certificate or degree is gained through evil due to the “transaction” procedure. In such a scenario, only misery will be propagated, undermining future generations’ society and ideals. Make diploma certificates and degrees a sign of self-respect for this reason. Even though nothing is flawless, continue seeking knowledge continuously, like drinking seawater, and continue working (or contributing) to develop a civilisation to the best of your ability with noble manners and God’s favour.
In fact, many certificates and title holders can defend themselvesbased on their self-respect. It can penetrate the sky despite being invisible. Even if the inhabitants of the earth attempt to erase them, the inhabitants of the sky will record their civilization’s inscriptions in golden ink. Then, how can each individualwith a degree and title be responsible for it vertically and horizontally? No one knows where the estuary of theirhope is except for everyonewith self-respect and Divine Substance.
WaAllahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by RiskaSaputra, 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
