Amid noisy politics, Ramadhan fasting purifies us. It reflects the best of what Islamic teachings have to offer: that good ends must be achieved through good means.
By
·3 minutes read
Amid noisy politics, Ramadhan fasting purifies us. It reflects the best of what Islamic teachings have to offer: that good ends must be achieved through good means.
We agree with Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin that Idul Fitri sermons must comprise good words and kind messages instead of cursing or hate speech. Preachers are urged to safeguard the sanctity of Idul Fitri, known as “a day of victory” among Muslims, by not dragging practical politics into their sermons.
This year, Idul Fitri will be held close to the June 27 simultaneous regional elections. Even during Ramadhan, we still see and hear campaigns that do not uphold good manners and politeness, especially on social media.
It has seemingly escaped some of us that what we write on social media will be read by thousands, if not millions of people from diverse cultural, academic and social backgrounds. These people are not aware that what they write may have unintended positive or negative consequences on their readers. On social media, a person may behave aberrantly.
Therefore, we support the religious affairs minister’s encouragement to avoid using abusive words in their sermons to prevent what has been happening on social media. Abusive words may only beget an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and finger pointing.
Mudik (exodus) is an Idul Fitri tradition for many Indonesians. Through mudik, we hope to relive our good memories of the past — of our childhood and teenage days — despite having to endure arduous journeys on our way home.
The mudik tradition contributes to the nurturing of our bonds of nationhood. Meeting our families and reuniting with our old friends will strengthen our bonds of kinship and community among citizens. Allah says in QS Al-Hujurat, verse 13: "Indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another [lita’arafuu]." In other words, diversity is Allah’s blessing and we need to sincerely accept our differences.
The commands to share with one another and to give alms were given because of this difference (in economic matters). Our willingness to share with one another assumes a sense of knowing one another and mutual respect among men. Because of our differences, we must be good in expressing our gratitude, instead of denouncing or hating each other.
The Ramadhan fasting has reached its end and, as chants of takbir (Allahu Akbar, or God is great) and tahmid (Alhamdulillah or Praise Allah) fill the air, let us all welcome the day of victory with pure hearts. On Idul Fitri, let us all forgive one another and start a new chapter of life in our country. We have much work to do and challenges to overcome.
Eid Mubarak, 1 Syawal 1439 H. Minal aidin walfaizin, forgive us for our physical and emotional wrongdoings.