Halal-bihalal in IPB: Spirituality Has to Have Social Implications
Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) held a halal-bihalal (gathering) after the Ramadhan break ended, Thursday (21/6) in Graha Widya Wisuda, Dramaga campus. IPB Rector, Dr. Arif Satria in his opening speech delivered his 1439 H Eid Al-Fitr greetings to the audience. Moreover, the Rector said, "Eid Al-Fitr is always a winning moment in fighting against carnal desire, as well as a moment for us to be reborn as a new human being, a fitri (holy) human being. A man who has come back to his/her fitrah(natural tendencies). With a new character as a muttaqin, which is a man that is honest in his/her faith, whose orientation solely to achieve Allah's ridha (blessings)."
As times progress, when everyone is busy with various businesses, day and night, and interconnected with network (virtual world), the silaturahmi (hospitality) nowadays become one thing that has to be maintained. The Rector told that Rasulullah SAW had long promised that whoever struggle to maintain his/her silaturahmi with everyone, inshallah will live a long, blessed life, wealth, and loved by Allah. "Let's in this fitri day contemplate the word of Rasulullah SAW that there are three characteristics that constitute the greatness of Muslims. One, the brotherhood bond between you and everyone that hates you. Second, giving helps to others, including them who never helped you. Third, forgive others, even if you have been wronged." Moreover, Rector explained that Ramadhan has cultivate several characters needed for social transformation, which are honesty, discipline, care, sincerity, modesty, and patience. "So, spirituality has to have social implications, not only be seen in an individual dimension. That means, we are obliged that our spirituality has a meaning in the process of social change," said IPB Rector.
KH. Ma'ruf Amin, Head of Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in his tausiyah (sermon) delivered the importance to build ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islam brotherhood) and ukhuwah insaniah (humanity brotherhood). In his tausiyah, the Kiai delivered about Minal Aidin, which is a person who came back to fitrah, clean in his/her origins, a child born fitrah, clean without sin. "We in Indonesia have our own creativity. Halal-bihalal is a tradition unique to Indonesians; it is what we do to continue silaturahmi.Why do we do silaturahmi? Muslims are considered to come from the same womb, fellow brothers even if we come from different mothers. Silaturahmi is a moment to reconnect as brothers. Islam brotherhood, a parable between one mukmin and the other is to love each other, mawaddah, wa rahmah(in Allah's love and grace), as one body. If a part of the body is hurt, then the others will too. Because of that, solidarity has to be maintained by loving our brothers and sisters as we love ourselves," explained Ma'ruf Amin. This event featured performances by Agria Melodia IPB Choir, Agrianita IPB Choir, Degung Arianita Fahutan IPB and last but not least, the Rector himself singing two songs, 'Kepada-Mu Aku Pasrah' and 'Syair Kehidupan'. (CN)
