By: Samsul Nizar
Professor & Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Indeed, many indications of God’s majesty are overlooked by humankind. Occasionally, these verses are closest and reside within every person. Everyone has a purpose, but not everyone can unveil the secrets of His creation. Allah expresses this in His words: “…Our Lord, you did not create the universe in vain.” (QS. Ali Imran: 191).
According to Jalalain’s interpretation of the preceding passage, the intelligent mind and heart may comprehend everything in its essence in a clear and precise manner. They recognise that each of His creations has insight that reveals the magnitude of His creation, strength, wisdom, and mercy. Everything is evidence of God’s might, which can only be comprehended by educated people who use their wits to “see Allah” in the image of wisdom. Among Allah’s verses about the forgotten self are:
First, the taste of fresh saliva. Allah made saliva tasteless so that the tongue could feel all the flavours. With a fresh taste, the tongue can distinguish various flavours of food, drink, or anything that enters the mouth. Through the ability to taste that is captured by saliva, humans can choose and sort everything before it enters (swallows) the body. In traditional society, saliva is considered sterile (disinfectant), which is believed to heal (minor) wounds. More than six hundred (600) types of bacteria in the mouth and saliva can cause infection.
Despite this traditional understanding, saliva is essential for humans, including breaking down food in the mouth so that it can be tasted by the tongue and easier to digest by the stomach, cleaning food and dead cells from the lining of the mouth, binding food into balls for easy swallowing, Cleans food and bacteria from teeth, prevents dry mouth lining, destroys or prevents the growth of certain fungi, neutralizes acids in food and drinks, and helps to regenerate damaged tooth enamel. Indeed, saliva, which is considered something disgusting, turns out to provide enormous benefits for humans. Among humans who are considered or feel noble, they are unable to benefit others. Alternatively, even causes misery and harm to the universe. Saliva teaches the meaning of the words of the Prophet: “The best of humans are those who are most beneficial to humans” (HR. Ahmad, ath-Thabrani, and ad-Daruqutni).
On the other hand, humans should learn with the taste of saliva in interacting with the universe. Think and place the object of interaction at point 0 (zero) to can judge each other wisely. There is no subjectivity put forward, let alone starting with hatred. If there is goodness in the interaction, it is taken to make him healthy. However, if the interaction is antagonistic and self-destructive, then “speak” so as not to poison him. Humans, in general, never learn to interact with their saliva. As if the taste of his saliva often changes according to the purpose and the object of the interaction. If the object of interaction is from the nobility, courtiers, or owners of high social strata, then even though what is felt is bitter or salty, it is still swallowed and declared sweet and healthy. A smile broke out, even though the pain was bitter. His tongue has become accustomed to changing tastes according to the interests and needs of the moment. It does not matter whether what is swallowed is a “poison” that will damage organs or cause self-harm.
In contrast, when interacting with objects that have low social status, do not provide benefits, or even people who are considered “enemies”, the honey that comes out will be vomited and said to be bitter. In fact, sweet honey promises health and goodness, but everything is ignored. This attitude is a low-civilized human character. This is reminded of the Prophet through his words: “Verily Allah does not look at your bodies and not at your appearance, but He looks at your hearts” (HR. Muslim).
The taste of saliva teaches the tongue to tell the truth (objectively). If it’s sweet, say sweet. If it’s bitter, say bitterly. If wrong, say wrong. If true, say true, and so on. However, Allah teaches humans to use their tongues through politeness. This is exemplified through His words: “Call (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good lessons and refute them wisely…” (QS. an-Nahl: 125).
The verse above teaches humans should keep and control the tongue when speaking only on positive things that contain the value of goodness. There is no need to talk about things that can plunge you into a pit of error. Do not use saliva to deliver haram food (nature or substance). Do not also use the tongue to “lick” full of deception. Because, after being “licked”, he no longer has “taste” (power), then he will be left like a “living corpse” meaningless and disgusting. Truly a hypocritical tongue only leaves a rotten mouth permeating the heavens and the earth. For that, the Messenger of Allah reminded us through his words: “Man’s safety depends on his ability to guard his tongue” (HR. al-Bukhari).
The Malay proverb reminds us that “the tongue has no bones”. It’s easy to “dance” when there is power, but it’s awkward when clamped by an open mistake (disgrace). The dancing is often uncontrollable. There is an Arabic proverb that says, “If the sword hurts the body, there is still hope for recovery, but if the tongue hurts the heart, where will the medicine be sought?” So terrible is the danger of the tongue, even to the death that people will remember it. Therefore, be careful when speaking and use saliva with faith so that you can sort out what will be put (felt) in your throat. According to substance or nature, it is something “unclean” (haram).
On the other hand, the proverb reminds “upper saliva” that “upper saliva is indeed salty and powerful”. Although wrong, they were considered noble. In contrast to “bottom drooling” as if it is meaningless, even though it is correct, it is considered wrong. As the saying goes, the truth from the “lower people” is like “spitting up, falling on oneself”. As a result, people who are persecuted are only able to pray to the All-Hearing Substance.
Second, salty tears taste to protect the eyes from damage. The salty taste serves to protect and protect the eyes. The tears that come out clean the eyes from dust and keep the eyeballs healthy. Medically, tears are glands lacrimation produces to clean and lubricate the eyes. Tears come out not only when humans cry sadly, endure pain and happiness, or laugh out loud. Whatever the reason, shedding tears is the result of a normal and natural anatomical function. However, psychologically, tears are dominant due to emotional impulses, both horizontally and vertically. If horizontal emotion is related to the interaction between self and the universe, then vertical emotion is related to the interaction between servant and Khaliq. This is narrated in the words of the Prophet Muhammad: “From Abu Hurairah RA, that the Messenger of Allah said: “A person will not enter the hell who cries out of fear of Allah until milk returns to his nipples and will not be able to gather dust in the way of Allah with the smoke of hell. (HR. Muslim).
Buya Hamka reminded us that “tears taste salty because tears are the salt of life”. That is in the meaning conveyed. Because, in this life, some thorns and thorns must be passed, seen, and felt. For this reason, tears usually show caring for others. When the hand is injured, the ear or tooth hurts, the heart is scratched, and the eyes shed tears as a form of human emotion. However, there are also abnormal tears only possessed by humans who experience psychiatric disorders and “human” disorders. If you have a psychiatric disorder, a psychologist can help.
However, if you suffer from a “humanity” disorder, only you and God’s counsel can cure it. Tears are secreted by “humanity” disturbances as a misleading tactic to control the circumstance. This phenomena is commonly referred to as “crocodile tears” This type has the ability to be held by all humans, regardless of gender or social status. The tears he shed were really a type of hypocrisy in order to reach his objective. However, true emotional encouragement as a manifestation of sincerity and dedication to God is not reflected by tears.
Third, ear water tastes bitter. Medically, bitter earwax results from secretions from the glands in the ear, which are alkaline and sticky. The secretions prevent insects from entering the ear because the liquid tends to be sticky and bitter. If a small creature enters, it will not last long and will soon come out of the ear. Thus, Allah makes water in the ear bitter to kill germs and protect the ears from various animals that enter the ear. With bitter ear water, no animals enter, and humans are safe to rest. Imagine if ear water tastes sweet, it will be difficult for humans to protect it (especially the rest) from swarms of ants or other animals. Such is the love of Allah, the Most Merciful. Hearing organs (ears) are the five senses which function for the first time since a baby is born. For this reason, it is sunnah to ring the call to prayer and iqamat in his ears and to be reminded to remember Allah when he picks up the death penalty to achieve death smoothly (husnul khotimah). Allah says: “…hearing, sight, and conscience, all of that will be held accountable” (QS. al-Isra: 36).
Ear care and care are not only physical. Spirituality is a part that should not be forgotten. Imam al-Ghazali said, “You should guard your ears. Do not listen to heresy (slander) cases, negative discussions about other people’s matters, bad words, false conversations, or other people’s ugliness”.
Thus, the message above is clear, but the phenomenon says otherwise. Philosophically, the bitterness of ear water teaches humans to be careful about guarding their ears. All information is heard in advance and digested with care. Bitter ear water is like drinking bitter herbs. If you treat a healthy bitter herbal medicine, then drink it. When you meet bitter herbs that are not useful, let alone bring harm, then avoid them immediately. That is the bitter philosophy of ear-watering for all information received to be filtered and thought out wisely as a sign of a highly civilized human being, not like a low-civilized human being or without civilization.
Indeed, the three human organs above (mouth, eyes, and ears) are closely related. Allah created two eyes and two ears so that humans are wiser to think about what they see and hear carefully. Meanwhile, Allah created only one mouth, so that wise information by the eyes and ears is narrated by conveying a single truth that is soothing and intelligent. However, if two eyes and two ears (especially if there are spies and whisperers) are not used wisely, then what will come out of the “dual” (hypocritical) mouth is the birth of a narrative (sometimes) spicy, sweet but painful, and offensive to others. If this happens to the “mouth” of the trust holder, there will be an injustice (tyranny) on the policies and decisions taken. Even though they have a single mouth, they often become “wild”, like “a thousand nine hurt the body” with “dancing tongues”, building hypocritical and slanderous opinions. Although it is clear the consequences that Allah shows as notify, humans often choose to repeat the same mistakes. As if challenging Allah over his eyes, mouth and ears with unlimited freedom. Allah has warned through His word: “And indeed, We will fill the hell of hell many from among the jinn and humans. They have eyes (the potential to see) but do not use them to see (the good), and they have ears but do not use them. Him to hear (guidance). They are like animals, even if they are more misguided (despicable). They are the ones who are careless “(Surah al-A’raf: 179).
Indeed, in this life, humans are taught to accept the existence of other individuals despite their varying natures and personalities. The objective is to appreciate one another, contribute, and avoid hostility with an open mind (as vast as the universe), not “like a frog in a shell” who thinks narrowly about a “belt.” The judgments of others in the form of criticism do not leave you with an eternal sense of resentment, nor do compliments make you forget who you are. In actuality, the opposite is frequently the case. Then, are you prepared for the blood, tears, and earwax that each person will shed before Allah in order to answer for their actions? No one knows save for every self and the owner of every self (Allah).
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
