By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
The broomstick is a very common and well-known household implement. A stalk is the coconut or palm leaf’s skeleton. They are essential and provide numerous benefits to humans. When it is nothing more than a stick, a clean stick is used to remove dirt from between the teeth or to connect two distinct sides. When a collection of sticks is joined, it can be used to clean dust or debris. Even though the existence of poles is so commonplace, it may be impossible for humans to learn anything from them, whether they are standing alone or tied together. Among the lessons learned from sticks are the following:
First, a bundle of sticks represents fortitude and unity. A single stick lacks any true strength. This is due to its fragility and ease of breakage. However, when a collection of twigs is united to form a “broomstick,” it is capable of sweeping anything due to its superior nature. Indeed, poles and broomsticks are the ideal analogy for interpreting the unity and existence of humans. This is in accordance with His words: “And do not imitate those who scatter and argue after receiving plain information. They are the ones who are punished severely” (QS. Ali Imraan: 105).
The significance of the broomsticks’ unity must be comprehended in depth. In rural communities, sticks are used to “close” banana leaves (and other variants) so that their contents do not escape. This is accomplished by tying the sides together. The meaning of sticks as unity surrounds and safeguards the country’s entire potential, preventing it from being appropriated by other parties.
Stick connections are not limited to material (physical) unity, but must be accompanied by immaterial (thoughts and ideals) unity. This is due to the fact that material (physical) unity will be firmly established when immaterial unity is present. Indeed, immaterial unity is the primary factor in material unity formation. Over the course of history, immaterial unity synchronises the same aspirations. It is even eternally lasting. Meanwhile, material (physical) unity will be achieved when a shared interest exists. When there is no longer a shared interest, unity becomes a hollow note. Political unification is an example of material unification. It is comparable to a body without a soul. Comparable to a pole with a frail rope. He is at peace when the garbage is minimal. However, when confronted with a large amount of trash, the bond is broken and the sticks disperse.
Second, juvenile branches are more malleable for use as rope. Flexibility and cohesion go hand in hand. Flexibility implies mutual regard and esteem. However, young humans occasionally develop the propensity of breaking the bond. The phenomenon of fights and destructive “gangs” appears to contradict the nature of juvenile sticks. While the ancient stick is harder, making it ideal for removing dirt. Only when the truth is firmly established can filth be removed. In the meantime, the decisions of a few members of the elder generation have become a pollutant to society.
Together, a collection of twigs become cleaners of the surrounding “garbage” Before the sticks can fulfil their responsibility of cleaning the environment, they must be thoroughly cleansed. Because only spotless sticks can remove soil. In contrast, if dirty sticks are used to clean, not only will they be unable to perform their duties, but the adjacent environment, which was previously clean, will also become soiled, potentially spreading dirt over a larger area.
Therefore, when the stick is dirty, it is essential to clean it as soon as possible. If the grime cannot be removed, the broom must be replaced and discarded. When the desire to clean the stick is not fulfilled, it indicates a collective desire to maintain the filthy stick in order to “play dirty areas together”
However, occasionally individuals choose otherwise. The proprietors and maintainers of cleanliness are eliminated. Meanwhile, the interests of the soil’s proprietors and stewards are protected and maintained.
Third, if the stick is spotless, it can serve as a signpost to the truth even when standing alone. The evidence is that in the past, many children in the village used a (clean) stick as a guide for reading the Qur’an.
What a valuable instruction that one can only approach the holy (al-Quran) with a clean stick. The prophet Muhammad SAW reminds us of this through his words: “Verily Allah SWT is pure who likes pure things, He is the Cleanest who likes cleanliness, He is the Most Noble who likes glory, and He is the Most Beautiful who likes beauty, therefore clean your places” (HR Tirmidhi).
The above Hadith provides unambiguous guidance for maintaining human purity at all times. If a man possesses chastity, he will attain renown. If life is always filled with filth, then degradation will result. Allah has so eloquently demonstrated numerous phenomena. In spite of a million attempts to conceal errors with various fabrications, Allah will eventually expose them. No one will be able to conceal them. Although it is becoming increasingly strange for humans to find honour in physical falsehood and deny the real truth, they continue to do so. In fact, Ali bin Abi Talib once advised, “Do not look at who is speaking; instead, focus on what is being said.” Despite being delivered by the “key-holder of the Prophet’s knowledge,” humans opt for an alternative path. Listening by focusing on “who speaks, not the quality of what is spoken” As a spotless stick can only be broken, while a dirty one can be kept and praised. In actuality, soiled sticks are always cleansed. Meanwhile, the clean twigs are simply bundled together. This selection of nature is only temporary. When Allah reveals the filthiness of the cherished stick, everyone will move away and perform a ritual of hand-washing. If “washing hands” proves to be challenging, “finding a scapegoat” will be attempted.
It is fortunate and joyful to have the personality of a broomstick. A sturdy, broomstick can still remove dirt from between the molars, even on its own. Evidently, the fact that the stick stands alone does not imply that it lacks significance. As long as the stick is sanitised, it remains functional. However, if the stick is dirty and alone, it will be fractured and discarded. Similarly, if the twigs are bound together but filthy, they will be discarded with the trash.
Fourth, for the stick to effectively remove grime, it must be straight. Straightforward in both intent and action. This refers to the words of the Prophet Muhammad SAW: “From Amirul Mu’minin, Abi Hafs Umar bin Al Khottob, he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah SAW say: Indeed, every action is determined by its intent. And indeed, each individual will be rewarded according to his intentions. Whoever performs hijra for Allah and His Messenger will have performed hijra for Allah and His Messenger. And whoever hijrahs for the world he desires or for the woman he desires to wed, his hijrah (will be worth) what he intended” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).
Fifth, clean sticks must be organised, maintained, and supervised to prevent contamination. For this, a measurable work system is required, and the individual who will use the broom is someone who values sanitation. They are all interconnected to complement one another. If all components are constructed cleanly, the outcome will also be neat. However, if one of the “sticks” is dirty and crooked, the living space resembles a refuse heap that only flies and maggots prefer.
Even if the rules and systems are well-designed, if the user has the personality of a filthy stick, the rules and systems will be modified using “deliberation clothes” Similarly, a person with a decent character who lacks rules and systems to guide him will easily stray and make mistake after mistake if there are no rules and systems to guide him.
Sixth, broomsticks are unable to determine whether he is clean or filthy. This is due to the fact that rods are creatures without reason. In contrast, humans are frequently similar to sticks in that they do not perceive themselves as clean or dirty and are only aware that everything outside of themselves is unclean. He is only able to remove a small amount of grime, but is unable to clean himself. Because it comes out that his filthy self is the cause of his inability to clean the area he desires to clean, and is actually making the area dirtier.
Allah has actually reminded us through His words of the ideal function of keeping the stick clean: “Dear you who believe, guard yourselves and your families against the fire of Hell, whose fuel is man and stone, and whose guardians are harsh and stern angels who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them and always do what is commanded” (QS. at-Tahrim: 6).
Thus, His words eloquently remind us that each individual must always be vigilant to serve as a model for his environment (family), so that the “reflected light” of virtue illuminates the greater environment. But if the opposite occurs, only devastation will result, both in a limited and a broader sense. The inability to maintain hygiene cannot be explained by a “scapegoat” or “horse glasses.” This is because the dirty, even unclean, stick is the source of grime. Moreover, if filthy sticks are joined to filthy ties, hygiene is merely a slogan that can never be realised. Be a clean, tightly bound broom in order to sustain civilization. The preservation of the tongue from “dirt and disease” is a sign of good health. Because filthy and diseased tongues frequently break apart the bonds of unity. The strands of a diseased tongue include speaking harshly, dancing lies that do not correspond to actions, gossiping, disseminating slander, blasphemy, pitting individuals against one another, feeling superior and noble, and other variations. Unhealthy verbal threads result in fractures that threaten the group’s cohesion. Especially in the age of social media, the “sick tongue” frequently causes chaos, injustice, misinformation, injustice, and division. In fact, the tongue resembles regurgitation. The only thing that comes out when purging is the present and consumed contents. Consequently, the quality of the vernacular (along with its writings and variants) reflects the quality of each individual’s character. Therefore, Allah reminds us through His words that the tongue is healthy: “Invite (people) to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them in a good manner.” (QS an-Nahl: 125).
Allah reminds people in the verse above to always maintain a healthy tongue in order to preserve virtue. The concept of unity can only be realised in a civilised manner. Humans with and who listen to healthy tongues will be able to preserve their unity and shape the character of civilization. In the meantime, individuals with and who listen to diseased tongues will only cause discord and harm to society.
Everything that occurs is analogous to water. All flows must have a source and a destination. Its presence is interdependent and must conclude. Although humans can be deceived and compelled to conceal or eradicate the truth, the Creator cannot be deceived. When Allah reveals the shame of His servants, make it an i’tibar so that every person is cognizant of his own shame. Do not claim to be the most flawless person. Because every person has shame. When Allah opens it, humans will be unable to view their reflections in the mirror. However, His verses and numerous i’tibar are frequently disregarded and disregarded. Be as pure as a stick, but it must be bound by faith to sustain the hope of nation-building. Do not sever the bond between two individuals with rotten souls and betrayal. Indeed, the iron’s hardness can still be dissolved by the heat of the fire. However, the hardness of a human heart that is closed to divine truth will not soften until it is taken by mortality. When that time arrives, however, a million regrets are useless.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by Riska Saputra
Alumni STAIN Bengkalis
