By: KH. Drs. Abu Deedat Syihab, MH, The Chairman of the Special Da’wah Institute of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (LDKMUI)
Every Muslim is advised to act based on Islamic guidance. Including responding to two moments at the end of the year that are not from Islamic culture, while soon we will welcome the holy month of Ramadhan. How do we respond to it?
Every December until the process of changing the Gregorian year becomes a moment of faith testing for every Muslim. Why is that? At the end of December, two holidays are not for Muslims, namely Christmas and New Year, but many Muslims are involved and celebrate both. The issues of pluralism, diversity and harmony of religious communities are so loud in the period at the end of the Gregorian year.
Likewise, the celebration of the Gregorian New Year. It cannot be separated from the culture of certain religious teachings. For your information, the history of January 1 cannot be separated from the belief that the Romans believed in the existence of a god named Janus. The god Janus has two faces, front and back. The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar then decided to celebrate the new year to commemorate the birthday of the god Janus, which was then immortalized as the month of January.
Let’s look at the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. “The Hour will not occur until my people follow the path of the previous generation span by span, cubit by cubit.” Then someone asked the Prophet Muhammad SAW, “Do they follow like the Persians and Romans?” He replied, “Apart from them, then who else?” (HR. Bukhari no. 7319).
The hadith above strictly forbids every Muslim from imitating a person. If so, then they are included in those people. So, it would be better to treat the change of the Gregorian year normally. Change of month. Just ordinary. If the entire Indonesian nation considered the change of year normal, this could save trillions of rupiah. No more extravagance, waste, burning firecrackers, and burning fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
What if the New Year is used for evaluation and reflection? Of course, that’s good. In fact, as Muslims, every time, every day changes is also a moment for evaluation. So that reflection is done anytime, without waiting for the New Year.
Preparation for Ramadhan
Rather than getting carried away in useless activities that are not in the teachings of Islam, it would be better to prepare yourself for the coming of the holy month of Ramadhan. This month full of blessings and forgiveness can be a special moment to increase faith and get closer to Allah SWT.
Before Ramadhan, there are the months of Rajab and Sya’ban. The months of Rajab and Sya’ban are the starting line to welcome the holy month of Ramadan. In these two months, many virtues can be used as provisions to welcome the holy month of Ramadan.
Several things can be done before Ramadan arrives. For example, by strengthening faith, cultivating a sincere intention to fast and increasing worship. Remembering the virtues and rewards in the month of Ramadan to be more motivated while also asking Allah SWT. to be given the opportunity and health in carrying out the fasting worship.
Another thing that is also highly recommended is to increase the recitation of the Qur’an and other sunnah practices, as well as attending religious studies further to deepen religious knowledge, both offline and online. On that occasion, friendships and improving relationships with family, neighbours, and friends can also be improved.
Welcoming the month of Ramadhan with thorough preparation will help maximize worship and gain as much reward as possible. Moreover, Allah SWT specifically invites believers to carry out the Ramadhan worship, as in the letter Al-Baqarah Verse 183.
The question is, who is meant by believers? “The ‘true’ believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting—and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. They are the ones true in faith.” (QS. Al-Hujurat, verse 15).
In carrying out the Ramadhan worship, three stages of targets must be achieved. First, become a pious person. Second, become a person who is always grateful. Third, always be on the path of truth. So, be firm. Do not be lazy in the month of Ramadan, because small deeds will be rewarded with great rewards only in that holy month. (***)
*More at https://halalmui.org/jurnal-halal/171/
