KH Dr. David Rashid MA: With I'tikaf Life So Light

Not a day without speaking. This is what David has lived KH Dr. MA Rashid. Even in Ramadan as now, he could speak to three or four times a day at different places of offices, hotels and mosques to mushlla. According to the man born in Medan, 1962, this, lectures and forums in various places it is a religious mandate that must run.

Moreover, said the first Indonesian to win a medical degree in the field of Hadith from the University of Cairo, Egypt, the people's understanding of Islam is still very low. ''For example, understanding the problem I'tikaf worship or other problems, is still very lacking. Not surprisingly, then very few who do I'tikaf worship in Ramadan.They are still looking, it's only fitting I'tikaf scholars have done,''said the father of five children. Beyond the activities of the lecture, he also teaches. Among others, as a graduate professor and chair of the department of Hadith same program at IAIN Sunan Gunung Jati, Jakarta. He was listed as a lecturer at the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Sciences (LIPIA) the results of cooperation between Indonesia-Saudi Arabia in Jakarta. At least six books he has written as well, namely: Islamic Reform and Orientalism in the Spotlight (second printing), Evaluated from Different Dimensions of Islam (second printing), Islam and Reform (2000), praying Practical Guide (2002), What and How Hadith The Prophet (2002), Assunnah fi Indonesia (in Arab/2002), Slander Kubro (translation) /, and the Banks Without Interest (translation). Here's an interview with one of the Republika Team Menkeh Islamic Jurists and Human Rights, about I'tikaf and benefits for individuals and society. Interviews were conducted at his residence in the area of ​​Condet, East Jakarta, Monday.

What is a I'tikaf?

I'tikaf is silent in a certain period in the mosque as exemplified by the Prophet SAW.In the context of Ramadan, I'tikaf started ten last night. So the night 21 to the evening feast. In terms of legal basis can be explained? I'tikaf, as the majority of scholars, is one practice the Sunnah in Ramadan. Because of the Sunnah, then the legal basis is the words and deeds of the Prophet. In Sahih Bukhari-Muslim said: 'Messenger of Allah do I'tikaf when it has entered the last ten nights of Ramadan'. This practice continues to be the Messenger of every year.

What do you think I'tikaf benefits for self, family, and society?

There are two kinds of benefits, short term and long term. Short term, definitely get a reward from God, because it I'tikaf agenda only remembrance, contemplate the creation and the greatness of God, read and study the Koran, sertama deeds-deeds of worship. Long-term impact is the creation of life in society are peace, quiet, and civilized. While the benefits of a very personal example, also will create peace of soul and mind. This can only be felt directly by those who carry out I'tikaf.That person will really feel how quiet it is real. Once he came out of the 'arena' or I'tikaf activity, all was light. As if it did not feel any problem / issue, when in fact there are problems. That is why in the context of society, its real impact is very clear, the creation of a peaceful order and cool, because he's cool I'tikaf result in societal attitudes. Especially when it (I'tikaf) has become a culture in most of our area, so that our society is not easily provoked emotions and awakened civilized attitude.What I have described it might be a little difficult to understand by those who have never felt the benefits I'tikaf because've never done it.

The requirements must be met in what I'tikaf?

The most absolute I'tikaf must be done in the mosque. This practice should not be done outside the mosque. There are some who argue should be in the Masjid Jami '(grand mosque). But it seems to me, which is important in the mosque, whether large or small mosque, same thing. Then the person should not be out of the mosque except only for personal use such as toileting or other urgent needs such as to eat. Even to visit the sick or just not allowed to mourn dead. Therefore, the purpose beyond the personal intention of urgency, as mentioned earlier, it will cancel the I'tikaf. That requirement is physically.

In addition, also was ordered to do deeds-deeds as qiyamul Lail (night prayer), dhikr, read the Koran and so forth. Under conditions of fatigue and tired, so sleep.Such routine activities during I'tikaf. Do you think it's I'tikaf heavy so few people do it? Base is a matter of knowledge. Our society is getting less or have enough knowledge about the following I'tikaf benefits and procedures for implementing it.I'tikaf they thought it was just for the scholars and religious teachers only.

Though it is not so in fact, I'tikaf for all the Muslims that allows time and energy.Perhaps also because it was thought that it's I'tikaf silence continues in the mosque, so boring. So feeling this is not boring-not to make them 'averse' carry it out. In fact, it's actually I'tikaf if done very beautiful, delicious, light, so serene heart, the mind becomes calm and clear, and so forth. Well, this I'tikaf not been socialized in our society well. So just understanding the problem here that needs to be deepened and enhanced in the community.

That the retreat is actually very beneficial not only for personal, family, but also for the community. Especially in the midst of uncertainty and complexity of current issues, then I'tikaf be a very promising solution.

From your observations so far, how does our community's understanding of religion?

Understanding of their religion I may say is still relatively low, so running nothing more than religious rituals, which really does not understand its social impact.Though the social impact that's enough to dominate in our doctrine. That many verses of the Qur'an cites the social life of man is not less dominanannya with akhirati later life. While the means to enhance the improved understanding that does not portray the functionality. We see religious events on television, has been a tendency meninabobokkan amsyarakat.

Religious impressions are nothing more than the superficial impressions of Islam.Indeed, the passion of religious impressions, especially in the month of Ramadan is increasing, but yes it was, did not increase understanding, only on the plain outside.I have no experience, when I delivered cerama in one of the television, I have to say quite a bit already seriously reprimanded the management, delivery of content that is not heavy-weight. Then I thought, if that much new has been considered too high, then when we mangangkat understanding of this religion of our society?

So, the point is to increase our religious knowledge. If it does not exist, do not expect our people's understanding of religion would be better.

What is the characteristics of people who managed to do I'tikaf?

Indeed there is no physical characteristics in particular. Only, those who managed to do it I'tikaf of which can be seen from his behavior. For example, there is a change in attitude compared with before doing I'tikaf. Because it I'tikaf spiritual affairs, then the impact would also be felt by people who do. But the impact must have, life is so lightweight, big problems seemed small, way of looking ahead and thinking are always optimistic, and any matters so smoothly. That is possible because the person feels has reached the peak, which was closer to Allah SWT.

In your opinion, what is the relationship between I'tikaf and Laylat al-Qadr?

One of the main agenda I'tikaf it was 'lurking' Laylat al-Qadr that. If we I'tikaf it was an opportunity to get Laylat al-Qadr was immense. For the nights of the retreat was certainly filled with worship practice the Sunnah, so that will bring inner self and it feels closer and closer to Allah SWT. A clean heart conditions and proximity to God this is the potential gain that glorious night that was wide open. Moreover, as the Prophet, that Laylat al-Qadr was there during one night in the last ten days of Ramadan. So closely interwoven, inseparable unity. How did the Prophet and the Companions retreat? Prophet looked so earnestly in worship, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Likewise with the friends, do not want to miss it with his nights. He also often wake his family members to qiyamul Lail. Well, besides doing I'tikaf Prophet also did qiyamul Lail. There is a difference between the two. If I'tikaf not allowed out for no urgent urination, including trade, allowed opposite qiyamul Lail.

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