Indonesia
Surabaya (MAS) – While delivering the Friday Khutbah on 7 Shawwal 1447 AH (March 27) at the Al-Akbar National Mosque in Surabaya (MAS), Professor HM Mas’ud Said, MM, PhD, a professor at Universitas Islam Malang (Unisma), emphasized that the highest glory is istiqamah/consistency in worship after Ramadan.
“The Shahadah is easy, praying on time in congregation is easy, but practicing it with istiqamah requires high discipline, endurance, and strength,” said the Deputy Chairman of the Central Board of the Nahdlatul Ulama Scholars Association (ISNU) in his khutbah.
In a hadith narrated by Muslim, Abu Amr Sufyan bin Abdillah, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, about something vital and utmost importance for someone seeking the essence of life.
“Yaa Rasulallah, tell me one statement in Islam that is of utmost importance. I will not ask anyone but you.” The Prophet replied, “Kul aamantu billah, tsummas takim’ (Put your faith in Allah, then remain steadfast on that path)” he said, quoting the hadith.
Prof. Mas’ud Said believes that the worship during the past month of Ramadan went very well, fasting with full devotion (faith and self-reflection), as well as giving charity, performing righteous deeds, filling the nights with Tarawih and night prayers, reading the Quran, and even taking the best possible care of oneself.
“The next task is to maintain that goodness as strongly as possible, goodness that is continuous, worship that is disciplined and consistent, steadfast, not fickle, goodness that is istiqamah. Istiqamah is the discipline of performing good deeds continuously, a consistent attitude,” he said.
Consistency/doing good deeds over time is very important, so much so that the ulama say, “Istiqomah Khoiru Min Alfi Karomah” (Consistency is Greater Than 1,000 Karomah). Istiqomah is also called “akbarul karomah” and is believed to be the path to achieving karomah/glory.
“The greatest of all karomah/glory is steadfastness itself. Ibnu Athoillah al Askandary also stated that karomah is a special blessing granted by Allah SWT to a servant whom He wills, whether unconditionally or with conditions,” he said.
In the business world, in the workplace, in government, and in the modern world, research shows that people who are consistent and possess a certain level of tenacity have a significantly higher likelihood of success.
In modern scientific terminology, tenacity is referred to as “tenacity” or “resilience.” In the banking and financial sector, it is termed “resilience.” In Japan, the strong attitude of facing challenges through consistency is known as the “Ganbaru” culture.
“As Javanese philosophy teaches, ‘Nandur ngunduh, tlaten panen’, meaning that sincere, diligent, and patient effort will eventually yield the desired results. Those Who Endure Hardship Will Lead: Those who dare to struggle, work hard, and take responsibility, even while living in hardship and suffering, will become heroes or leaders,” he said.
Indeed, the stories of the prophets, the lives of the messengers, and the saints of Allah are the same, such as Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani RA. The Prophet Muhammad SAW was a figure who remained steadfast in goodness throughout his life. The Quran, Surah Al-Imran 102, implies: “yaa ayyuhallaadziina aamnuttaqullaha haqqa tuqqatihi, walaa tamuutunna illa wantum muslimuun”
“The message of today’s khutbah is that worship should not be sought only at the mihrab or mosque pillars just once, or a few times, and then fade away, but we must maintain night prayers, charity, and guard our hearts in the coming months just as diligently as when we worship during the month of worship,” he said. (*/mas)
This news has been posted on masjidalakbar.or.id
