Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory for Muslims who have fasted, carried out sunnah worship during Ramadan, and paid zakat fitrah. According to the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Pusat, KH M. Anwar Iskandar, celebrating Eid al-Fitr does not need to be extravagant. Because, this has the potential to hurt the hearts of many people who are in difficulty because of economic pressures, disasters, and other conditions. Celebrate Eid al-Fitr in a simple way.
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During a month of fasting, Muslims are actually taught to feel the thirst and hunger that those who are lacking feel every day.
"What is the meaning of us being happy if our brothers are still in trouble. The Prophet said that Muslims are like one body. When one part is sick, then the other parts of the body also feel sick. When our brothers in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and other areas are affected by disasters, it's time for us to help," said Kiai M. Anwar Iskandar.
Therefore, he continued, empathy must really be demonstrated in daily life. "Empathy is not only in verbal form, but also in deeds. If there is an excess, help the deficient. The help is better coordinated so that it is even," he said.
After that, continued Kiai Anwar Iskandar, no less crucial is the education of children in disaster-stricken areas. "In addition to clothing and food assistance, education for affected children is also important. The pesantren in Java can accommodate children affected by the disaster to continue their education until the end of their education," he told Edy Suherli, Bambang Eros, and Irfan Meidianto from VOI who met him at his residence, in the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, not long ago.
In the midst of being busy leading the MUI, how did Kiai personally prepare himself to welcome Eid al-Fitr 1447 H this time?
Before Eid al-Fitr, the preparation that is carried out is to carry out fasting in the month of Ramadan. Fasting plays an important role in cleansing our hearts, as an effort to get closer to the mercy of Allah SWT. That is the most important thing, the rest - like we welcome the arrival of guests - is just a complement. The most important thing is spiritual readiness to receive God's mercy.
What kind of Muslims are those who bear the title of fitrah on the day of Eid al-Fitr?
Idulfitri is Arabic, meaning a return to nature. The nature of man is a clean creature. The Prophet Muhammad said: every child who is born is certainly in a state of purity or nature. When he grows up, there is lust, there are wrong deeds and sins. Fasting is a tool given by Allah to the believers to cleanse those sins. As long as fasting is followed by the practice of sunnah and zakat fitrah, then it will return to purity. The essence of Idulfitri is the return of man to his nature or purity, as he was born from his mother's womb.
Allah gives guidance after fasting and returning to nature, the end of which is that we must be grateful to Allah SWT. So that is the end of the ritual in the month of Ramadan. Gratitude is not only with words, but also applied in daily deeds. Not only for our personal happiness, but also for the masses.
This year many of our brothers and sisters have been affected by disasters, maybe some are wandering in the evacuation. How do we remain grateful and empathize with those who have suffered disasters?
Building an attitude of empathy for our brothers who are being tested by Allah SWT, such as being afflicted by disaster, is part of gratitude. Moreover, if the income obtained is partly donated to those affected by disasters. What is the meaning of being happy if our brothers are still in distress. The Muslim, said the Messenger, is like a single body. When one part is sick, then the other parts of the body also feel pain. When our brothers in Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and other areas are affected by disasters, it's time for us to help.
Empathy is not only in verbal form, but also in deeds. If there is an excess, help the deficient. The assistance is better coordinated so that it is even. In addition to clothing and food assistance, education for children affected is also important. Pesantren which exist in Java can accommodate children victims to continue their education until the end of education.
So what is the way we celebrate Eid al-Fitr?
Please celebrate Eid al-Fitr, but you don't have to show off your pleasure. The sense of caring for our brothers and sisters who are lacking and affected by disasters must continue to be maintained. This is a manifestation of our gratitude to God. So, we don't use Eid al-Fitr to show off excessive pleasure.
What is the role of zakat, infak, and alms in the context of disaster fiqh? Do we need to prioritize this matter?
"We are not only talking about fiqh or the law, now the condition is an emergency. In this condition, what was not allowed to be allowed; this is about natural disasters. MUI as an official state institution that collects zakat and alms has done a lot for natural disasters. There are also non-governmental zakat collectors who have also done a lot. There are also other organizations that collect and distribute assistance to disaster areas. All are moving, just strengthened. MUI will also build a mosque in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, respectively. In addition, 500 units of houses will also be handed over to those affected. Many people channel through us and also other institutions.
When asked about the determination of 1 Syawal, the difference between the methods of hisab and rukyat often makes the people below confused. According to Kiai, what is the biggest obstacle for us to unite these two methods in a single Islamic calendar?
We do not want to unite it. Let it be a disagreement between one and the other. The important thing is to respect each other's decisions. Even though it's different, we have to keep maintaining the Islamic brotherhood. The difference in determining the beginning of Ramadan and the beginning of Syawal has existed since before the colonizers came to the archipelago. Well, don't let this difference become a trigger for the cracks in the unity of the Muslim community in Indonesia.
There is also a tradition of homecoming before Eid al-Fitr. Currently, the economic condition is difficult, should you force yourself to go home?
Homecoming has both positive and negative sides. When meeting with parents, children can bow down; that reward is not small. It is a bond of brotherhood between children and parents - in the Western world it does not exist. Then build a relationship with brothers who may not have met for a year. From the economic side it is also good, how much money from the city is circulating in the area during the homecoming.
But there is also a negative side, when someone forces himself to go home even though his condition is not good. Some have to rent a car to be seen as rich. Then there are also those who make the Lebaran momentum to squander money by burning firecrackers and fireworks.
Ramadan is actually a field to collect rewards, especially in the last 10 nights; there is iktikaf and hunting lailatulqadar. If the focus is to go home, is it possible to achieve the golden moment in Ramadan?
Of course we prioritize the important things behind pleasure. The Prophet said there are odd dates where the probability of lailatulqadar is down. Well, if you can, we avoid odd dates for homecoming. That is the golden opportunity that Allah gives once a year in the month of Ramadan. So the silaturahmi is still maintained without losing the golden moment in the month of Ramadan. Lailatulqadar is a better night than a thousand months. Allah distributes mercy in that night.
What is Kiai's special message or brief tausiah for disaster survivors so that they remain strong, and what is Kiai's prayer for the Indonesian nation?
The first must be patient. Allah tests His servants with disasters or whatever it is to raise their status. If we can be patient with this trial, Allah will raise our status. So, don't blame God for this trial. Remember, patience does not mean just being silent, but also trying. With effort, God willing, there is a way.
"I as the head of MUI appeal to the people who are given excess wealth to donate through any existing organization. Then we also think about the future of children who cannot go to school. We help Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and other disaster-affected areas so that they can go to school.
To the government, with the authority it has, give sanctions to the owners of gardens or mines that cause disasters; floods, landslides, etc. To the people who live in disaster areas, if it is already uninhabitable, yes move or migrate, especially if the government facilitates.
What is Kiai's message for all Muslims who celebrate Eid al-Fitr?
In a time of disaster everywhere, Muslims who celebrate Eid al-Fitr must show their sympathy. Celebrating Eid al-Fitr does not need to be excessive. God does not like excessive because it can hurt our brothers who have just been affected by disasters.
KH M. Anwar Iskandar and Living What There IsLife for the Head of the Central MUI, KH. M. Anwar Iskandar does not need to be cute, just live life as it is. (Photo: Bambang Eros VOI, DI: Raga Granada VOI)
Living in this world for KH M. Anwar Iskandar does not need to be complicated. Live everything as it is and do not overdo it. Maximum effort must still be carried out. However, when you are no longer able to, give everything to the Almighty. That way, life will be easy and the soul will be healthy.
The routine carried out by KH M. Anwar Iskandar is teaching at the pesantren pondok that he manages: Pesantren Al-Amin and Assaidiyah in Kediri. "After subuh I teach, after zuhur and magrib also teach," said the man who was born in Wringinputih Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, April 24, 1950.
"In between teaching activities, I take care of various types of businesses that we have started. And also do sports activities to maintain health," he said.
"The business we run has several, ranging from agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and culinary. In addition to generating material profits, overseeing the course of this business for me is entertainment. Seeing chickens, goats, and cows in the farm for me is entertainment that makes the heart happy, hehehe," he said with a distinctive laugh.
Between Jakarta and KediriAs the General Chairperson of MUI which has its headquarters in Jakarta, M. Anwar Iskandar once had to fly to Jakarta. The reason is, if there are important matters that require his presence without being represented, he must leave. "For the MUI national leadership meeting every Tuesday, it can be done virtually. So from anywhere, including from Kediri, it can be done. If there is an important event, I will only go to Jakarta," he said.
When he was young, he tried many sports: badminton, volleyball, football, and others. "Because of age, I can't do heavy sports anymore. What can still be done now is to walk every morning and swim once a week," he said.
In exercising, Kiai Anwar does not want to force himself. "The important thing is to move, there is no need to be lazy for people who are my age. If you are tired, rest. The choice is a sport with minimal risk; for sports that are pounding, it can't be anymore," he continued.
Keeping the Heart HappyIn addition to maintaining physical health, which is no less important is to maintain spiritual health to stay happy. "The way, whatever happens to me is grateful and enjoyed. Happy and difficult to remain grateful to God Almighty. That way the heart becomes calm," he said.
"Because we have religion, there is a teaching to pray. If we are strong, we solve the problem. However, if we are not strong, leave everything to God Almighty. We trust in the Almighty," he advised.
With this pattern, he continued, it does not burden the soul. "So our soul remains healthy. Remember, our ultimate goal is not the world, but life in the hereafter," he said, who has reduced spicy, sour, and sweet foods.
"This world is a stopover or in Javanese known as mampir ngombe. What does it mean? "Mampir means it is not forever, ngombe (drinking - Red) is to use what God gives to humans. We can be happy in this world, even looking for the world is mandatory because it can be a provision for the hereafter," he said.
And there are three messages from KH M. Anwar Iskandar for young people: "We must equip ourselves with faith and piety, equip ourselves with knowledge, and be good at choosing friends who are also on the path to goodness," he said.
"The essence of Eid al-Fitr is the return of man to his fitrah or purity, as he was born from his mother's womb,"
KH. M Anwar Iskandar
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