TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – "If you hate someone because they can't read the Quran, it means you worship not Allah, but the Quran itself. If you oppose people of different faiths, it means you worship not Allah, but that religion. If you avoid people who break moral norms, you worship not Allah, but morality. Worship Allah, not others. Proving you worship Allah is by accepting all beings, as this is the way of Allah." (Gus Dur)
The words of Gus Dur, may God have mercy on him, implant a strong soul in moderate Muslims in this nearing end of Ramadan. Ramadan, where fasting is a bridge connecting the human soul with cosmic grandeur. Grandeur when the body withstands hunger and thirst, with energy flowing calmly to the ocean of consciousness.
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In the tranquil night of qiyamullail, when the first dew falls and moistens the earth, fasting invites people to sail in introspection, sorting the tangled threads of ego and hope. As Gus Dur said, praying to Allah is not enough with just standing, bowing, and prostrating if the heart is still caged by prejudice and hatred. Fasting teaches that Allah is not only in holy verses or the echoing call to prayer, but also in acceptance and empathy towards others.
It is not the Quran that should be worshipped to forget the essence behind its words, nor is religion to become a barrier between people. In the silence of fasting, a gentle whisper is heard, reminding that faith is tested when we can see Allah's face in the smiles and tears of others, feeling His presence in the shared joy and sorrow.
Fasting is a teacher showing the depth of life, digging wells of tolerance in the desert of hatred. As Allah's word in the Quran says, “O believers, enter into Islam completely, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy” (Al-Baqarah: 208). This verse is not just a call for obedience. Rather, it is an invitation to ponder the universal essence of Islam: peace, wholeness, and harmony.
From the Hadith, Prophet Muhammad SAW stated, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (Bukhari and Muslim). This message resonates with the spirit of fasting, where restraining personal desires teaches understanding and valuing others' needs and feelings.
It's also important to remember the words of Rumi, a Sufi whose words flow like a river of wisdom, "Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I change myself." These words affirm that true change starts within, a process intensified during fasting.
Fasting offers a mirror reflecting the best version of ourselves. Not for praise or worship, but for wisdom to be contemplated and corrected. In the silence and hunger of the day, in the quiet and thirst of the night, we are invited to dialogue with ourselves, contemplating the meaning of existence and understanding the essence of true peace.
Fasting leads to the enlightenment that diversity is not a threat. It also creates a beautiful mosaic that assembles human uniqueness. And, fasting teaches that being moderate does not mean being passive, but actively understanding and respecting differences, upholding human values above all.
As the sun sets, the sky changes color, marking the end of a daily journey, not just the stomach is filled, but also the soul with life lessons. Fasting, with all its simplicity and silence, whispers to us that in stillness there is strength, in self-control there is wisdom. Every second of fasting is an opportunity to build bridges between the worldly and the divine, between humans and their creator, and between individuals and society.
In the roar of the times that often demand us to rush, fasting asks us to pause. To take a deep breath. Then, listen to the whisper of the heart.
It teaches that real strength is not in loud words or rash actions, but fasting leads us to calmness and clarity of mind that weaves thoughtful decisions and actions.
Fasting educates the soul to value time, not just counting hours passing. Fasting fills every hour with reflection and awareness. Every pre-dawn meal, when the world is still asleep, and every breaking of the fast, as the sky turns orange, becomes a moment of introspection and appreciation for the often overlooked blessings of life.
In the spiritual journey offered by fasting, we are invited to emulate patience, kindness, and gentleness of heart. Continually reflecting that every person on earth, with all their uniqueness and differences, is part of the beautiful and harmonious canvas of life.
Being a moderate human in the context of fasting is about finding balance between material and spiritual worlds, between personal needs and social responsibilities, between speaking and listening. Moderation is not about being in the middle passively. It is about navigating life's complexities with a wise heart and an open mind.
Through fasting, we are reminded that life is not just a journey in search of wealth or recognition. Life is a profound journey to understand the true meaning of our existence. Fasting teaches not to be quickly satisfied with worldly achievements, but to continually seek deeper meaning from every experience.
In every grain of sand in the time of fasting, lessons are stored that each moment is an opportunity to be better, to remove prejudice, and to spread kindness regardless of background or belief. This is the time when the heart is cleansed of all spite and the mind is freed from the shackles of selfishness.
As the days of fasting pass and Eid al-Fitr approaches, may what has been learned during this holy month not just be a seasonal memory. But may it become a seed that grows lush in the soul, producing fruits of wisdom to be enjoyed throughout time.
Fasting, in its essence, is a journey to discover beauty in simplicity, strength in stillness, and greatness in humility. It is a journey where each step teaches gentleness, every second inspires goodness, and each day brings us closer to the true essence of life and existence. God knows best. (*)
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| Editor | : Khodijah Siti |
| Publisher | : Sofyan Saqi Futaki |
