By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Homecoming is an annual tradition that is observed to reunite with family. This tradition appears so cumbersome, especially whenever the month of Shawwal arrives. According to the Indonesian Main Dictionary, repatriation and “going home” are synonymous. Migrants engage in homecoming activities when they return to their hometowns. The return is motivated by nostalgia and longing for the site of his birth. The desire to get together with family members.
Homecoming is an acknowledgement that a hometown is a special location, a gathering place, the best place, and a place filled with memories. Indirectly, it is a “temporary” residence and self-recognition as “an immigrant” if it is not the native country. Even though the house is large and magnificent with opulent amenities, it does not overshadow the desire to return to one’s birthplace. Although the destination is far away, physically exhausted with traffic jams or long queues, and there are many twists and obstacles along the way, expensive costs are not a problem, all of which seem to have never been ignored when the hope of returning home appears to be able to make the heavy light, far feels close, or expensive costs are not a problem. Everything vanishes and pays off when the desire to return to one’s homeland is satisfied. In fact, homecoming preparations have been meticulously planned in advance. A series of material preparations, mementoes to be brought (even more than that), vehicles to be used, and destinations have been meticulously planned.
Although homecoming is appealing and all available energy is mobilized, the external homecoming tradition does not correspond to the ultimate homecoming (in the future). In actuality, the outward manifestation of homecoming cannot reflect preparations for the ultimate homecoming. In fact, the Prophet SAW reminded his people to conduct themselves properly in this world without neglecting about the hereafter. Rasulullah stated, “Be in the world as a wanderer or a nomad” (HR. Bukhari).
The above hadith is a figurative expression used by the Prophet to remind humans of their place in the universe. As an immigrant, remembering your birthplace is the most effective treatment for homesickness and the best way to cultivate admirable qualities while you await the time of your eternal homecoming. A period of delay must be prepared with “souvenirs” of habit for when the time comes to return home (in the afterlife). In fact, only time and distance separate every nomad from his homeland. Who knows the distance and the time between the call to prayer and the call to prayer? There will be a “homecoming” for everyone, regardless of preparation. Ath-Thibiy stated, “The Prophet of Allah (SAW) compared people living in this world to strangers (al-ghorib) as nomads without a place to lie down and a place to remain. A foreigner may remain in a foreign country for a limited period of time. Eventually, he must return to his country of origin. As the objective of his journey, the parable of “a traveller” refers to his temporary passage through a country en route to a distant country. There will be various “salts of life” along the path, including happiness and misery. Theoretically, a beautiful flower garden with a fragrant scent should not cause you to neglect your purpose and linger to appreciate it. Every expense of beauty has its proprietor.
Similarly, when it encounters a barren expanse, it is not permitted to run and must promptly reach its destination. Everything has a duration and a limit. Because, as nomads and wanderers, humans can remain as long as the owner (Allah SWT) grants permission. Indeed, the activity of homecoming to one’s birthplace is a venerable tradition that must be preserved and offers multiple meanings to prepare for the actual homecoming (in the future). These connotations include:
First, recall the town in which you were born. The location of your birth has its own unique appeal. The place where you were raised, guided, and showered with parental affection is an irreplaceable magnet. Even though they are physically separated and have a better existence, they will never forget their hometown. As the Malay proverb goes: “As high as the stork flies, eventually only to the cesspool (puddle)” Consequently, existence in this world is analogous to a traveller. Every nomad cannot remain abroad indefinitely. A shrewd nomad will undoubtedly use his time abroad to find as many supplies as possible to bring back to his home country. Consequently, humans plan provisions for the afterlife. Longing for the origin of events reminds us of the eternal “homecoming” (in the future). A yearning that evokes a realization of memory and an awareness that prepares supplies of virtuous deeds.
Although humans are busy preparing for their homecomings, they neglect to prepare for their homecoming to the source of the event (death). If both forms of homecoming preparation are conducted in a balanced and equitable manner, safety will be attained. Furthermore, blessings will be attained if the preparation for returning to the origin of the event is more dominant. However, homecoming to the birthplace overlooks the homecoming to the incident’s origin. Strangely, while abroad, humans amass wealth by any means, so that when they return to their native village, it is considered a successful migration. In actuality, when this is done, it becomes contemptible and a loser when returning to the afterlife. When preparations for a homecoming to the hometown are made earnestly and at great expense, preparations for a homecoming to the incident’s origin are made when there is a “pressing problem” and the cost is minimal. When problems are resolved by abundant favours, preparations for a return to the country of origin are frequently neglected.
The second objective of travellers is to return home with “something (souvenirs)” that their parents and the “village” community can be pleased of. Therefore, humans who recognize they are nomads will undoubtedly return home. All of Allah’s commands are used as savings to purchase “souvenirs and provisions” for the voyage when the call to return home is received. If the command is met with submission, Allah will purchase it with strands of His Rahman and Rahim. If the trust is repaid with disobedience, Allah will purchase it with His vengeance. Allah reminds us of this in verse 197 of Surah al-Baqarah: “Be armed, and indeed the best provision is piety”
Wise individuals always recollect themselves in time to return to the village of eternity. A memory that renders one wary of the “tricks of the world” However, the deception of the world causes humans who forget their “hometown” to forget when it is time to go home. Forgetting that one is a nomad who will (certainly) return home makes one content (and even the mastermind of various “worldly tricks”).
Thirdly, the realizes that he is a “nomad” and that the house he has outside his village is a “transit” house that is not as attractive or comfortable as his “hometown” home. Allah SWT reminds us through His words, “Indeed, the Hereafter is superior, and it is the best destination for the righteous.” (QS an-Nahl: 30). Therefore, once people realize the true nature of life, they will prioritize the eternal afterlife over the temporary existence of this world. Allah reminds us, “Verily, the Hereafter is better for you than the present” (QS ad-Dhuha: 4).
When going home in this world, humans are able to exert maximal effort and plan it meticulously, full of longing and zeal; energy, thoughts, and materials are even prepared beforehand. Nonetheless, when going home in the afterlife, it is frequently forgotten, or at least without longing (or fear, as if one did not want to go home), without effort, disseminating injustice, and if necessary without a desire to spend money. Rasulullah SAW reported from Jabir bin ‘Abdillah RA that the Messenger of Allah SAW had said, “Avoid doing injustice because injustice is darkness piled up on the Day of Judgment, and avoid ash-shuhh (miserliness accompanied by greed) because it has destroyed those who came before you” (HR. Muslim).
Fourth, Kampung (village) signifies the origin of life (fire, wind, water, and earth) and the time to return with a parcel of earth to the origin of its occurrence. What mementos will be brought and how will they be transported? Relics in the form of deeds that will be held accountable before Allah. There is a choice between bringing “souvenirs” of godlessness (sin) or piety (reward). Vehicles accompanied by whips to hell or accompanied by tasbih to His paradise of ecstasy.
Fifthly, Homecoming reminds us that life is ephemeral, like dust that flies away whenever the wind moves. Indeed, humans frequently choose to conduct oddly. When temporary homecoming (homecoming while in the world) is prepared with more than adequate provisions. While the eternal repatriation (return to the afterlife) is frequently without provisions, even carrying heavy debts (sins) on his shoulders. Injustice, slander, and duplicity have accumulated enormous debts. It is as if they have lost faith in returning to their homeland. In reality, everything will be held accountable before Allah SWT. If the momentum of Ramadan behaviour and heart cannot be pure, how can the presence of purity be anticipated outside of Ramadan? How could you be charitable with other people’s affairs if you are too miserly with your own? How can the cleanliness of other people’s homes be maintained if the house itself is purposefully filthy? Allah reminds everyone through His word: “Dear believers, guard yourselves and your families from the flames of hell…” (QS. at-Tahrim: 6).
The preceding verse explains that the purity of the individual is the foundation for the purity of the family and the larger community. According to what is suspected, if prejudice is built, it is truly a reflection of the individual’s true character. The individual who prepares a stockpile of offences for the ultimate homecoming, which can occur at any time, is despicable.
Homecoming to the nation of origin must always be kept in mind when performing activities. With this memory, every action (spoken and performed) is undertaken with prudence. Both the memory of homecoming to the country of origin and the memory of homecoming to the homeland are present. At the very least, this memory will serve as a means of regulating the conducted actions. However, if this does not also remind humans of returning to a certain and enigmatic country of origin, only regret will result. Regret that, despite wailing and struggling, is fruitless. Allah reminds us of this in His words: “Such is the condition of those who disbelieve, that when death comes to one of them, he says, “My God, send me back to the world so I can perform good deeds for what I have left behind.” Surely, he only utters a single syllable. And a barricade stands in front of them until the day of their resurrection” (al-Mukminun: 99-100).
Imam Ibn Rajab explains the above verse as follows: “The greatest desire of the dead is that they return to life for a moment to perform repentance and good deeds that they neglected during their existence on earth. Those still living in this world are identical. They squander their lives in indifference, and some of them waste their lives in injustice and disobedience as well. But nothing is useful. While returning to one’s birthplace can still be done repeatedly, returning to one’s country of origin is never done again. However, individuals are more concerned with returning to their hometowns and forget about returning to their country of origin.
Allah has warned the people of the world against ignorance through His words: “Have they not traversed the earth in order for their hearts to comprehend and their ears to hear? “It is not the eyes that are blind, but rather the heart in the breast” (QS al-Hajj: 46).
So many eyes observe the “traces” left behind by unjust and religious humans. Allah definitely observes all human behaviour on the surface of the earth. Despite this, it does not appear that humans are able to comprehend and learn from what they see. All is due to the interests that shut the door to the mind and heart to the illumination of truth. Consequently, people prefer to disbelieve in His favour. What a miserable individual, especially when his actions have a wide-reaching impact and destroy civilization.
How wonderful and joyful it is to be able to return to my birthplace. A joyful gathering of family and friends. Seriousness and zeal to make a succession of preparations that are – at least – comparable in quality to those made for the ultimate homecoming (in the afterlife). Preparations for their return to the country of origin of the incident, including the provision of religious practices, so that they may encounter the Prophet and other residents of heaven. Every individual possesses all options for annual homecoming activities and the ultimate homecoming, which can occur at any time. The two polarities of homecoming that will be experienced are not limited to words or physical appearance but also include the option to alter one’s beliefs and conduct.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by Riska Saputra, S.Pd
Alumni from the English Education Study Program at STAIN Bengkalis.
Master Student at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology in National Central University, Taiwan.
