Lebaran, Religious Reflection and Nationalism

In this year’s Lebaran or Idul Fitri, we are still undergoing the Covid-19 pandemic and are overwhelmed by national concern.

Its arrival should unnecessarily be welcomed in ways typical of over consumption and reveling. Moreover, gathering in crowds and ignoring health protocols has the potential to create new clusters of infection.

Essence of Ramadan victory

In such a situation, let us draw the essence rather than the artificial side of the victory of Ramadan. The Ramadan triumph itself has to be pursued through various trials and deeds. First, discipline in the face of temptations involving the beginning and end of the time limit to be observed.

Second, consistence and increased resistance to temptations the whole day. Last, sensitivity to and concern for fellow humans. The three deeds are to be performed in the course of Ramadan so that the victory can be achieved.

The modalities, which are discipline, resistance and concern about fellow humans, seem to have long been sidelined. Perhaps so far we have been trapped too deep in materialism by which everything is measured on the basis of rational and deterministic economic considerations.

Also read:

^ Fasting, Reaching Piety and Blessings

^ Pandemic and Rejuvenating Month of Ramadhan

Even friendships have become an instrument of profit-seeking. Instead of permanent friends, what remain are interests.

Since profit loss and prospective share are the measure, we in turn are losing the most crucial sides of humanity. Certainly, human rationality and intellectuality are important. Their position should no longer be debated.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Muslims perform the last Friday Prayers in the month of Ramadan at the Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, Friday (7/5/2021).

They have made a very valuable contribution to a better life. However, if everything is measured with profit-loss reasoning, this attitude of materialism will give rise to greed and undue ambitions.

Tragically, besides worsening social relations, this condition is aggravated by attitudes that emphasize binary opposition. I am not you, and you are a friend or foe. Our social pattern become dichotomous in a bipolar way. Life is getting so rigid and easy to split. Everywhere there are suspicion, intense rivalry and fraud.

Under such circumstances, the biggest motivation shown is control power rather than concern about fellow humans. This image making is seemingly justified.

Also read: Fasting and Social Observance

In fact, we as humans are not one-dimensional creatures to be entirely subjected to reason and rational. This is obviously inadequate, let alone a long-term dimension. The reasoning should go along with esthetics, ethics and religion. There are feelings to be handled, sensitiveness and concern about fellow humans to be further enhanced and varieties of life to be gratefully enjoyed.

That’s why humans are not just rational animals but also social creatures, moral beings and creations of God.

Human rationality, although important, remains inadequate for our life as complete humans. In many instances, rationality has limitations and is incapable of covering everything. Even what are close by cannot all be comprehended, while what are still unknown do not mean they are nonexistent. That’s why humans are not just rational animals but also social creatures, moral beings and creations of God.

Naturally, I am not you. It is impossible for me to be identical to you. But the distinction is not meant for control, which positions difference as opposition, even an opponent. It is meant to get close to more meaningful humanity. Difference is sunatullah (commendable), which should be accepted with gratefulness, and knowing each other is an obligation of humanity, which should be performed.

So, the awareness of and sensitiveness to fellow humans are eventually found in and determined by other people as well. Life cannot be felt if we are only alone in a vacant space.

Life has empathy, meaning and concern that are manifested in social relations, interactions and communications. We are trained in the practice of fasting with full devotion, solely in search of His consent (transcendental communication).

The religious moments of Ramadan have taught the relations and dimensions of humanity at the same time. Religion has spoken very clearly about empathy and humanity. If someone is happy, we are also happy. Conversely, if someone is in trouble, we also feel sad. Likewise, if we have more to spare, we share.

Also read: Fasting Across Traditions

Universally religion speaks about peacefulness, happiness and brotherhood. Charity through alms, gifts and contributions becomes gratifying radiance.

The penetration of materialistic orientation and the deterministic economic factor supported by the profit and control seeking character have been so worrying. Yet the presence of social media and the virtual era raise the burden of concern and response of their own.

Universally religion speaks about peacefulness, happiness and brotherhood.

Introspection

The hustle and bustle of communications need new intellect in the form of digital intelligence. In social media, teachings and statements get mixed up, which often makes it difficult to distinguish between teachings and understandings with their consequences.

Whether or not realized, such a situation goes beyond propriety and fails to determine the boundaries of private, social, or public space.

All of them become one, which is likely to offend or even anger each other. As a result, the social distance gets even farther, making us even more estranged from each other, while we are actually close.

The existing differences that should be preserved and respected just turn into contradictions in virtual reality and manifest in social reality. Sometimes there are too many similar aspects of humanity that later are forgotten. We as a religious nation can go through the religious month this time with introspection and total reflection.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, the attitude of deterministic economic materialism as well as other improper behavior should become an object of introspection.

The Ramadan victory this time is apparently still celebrated with serenity, tranquility and maturity of our hearts, without road congestions due to exodus travelers or basic staple price hikes and other furors.

Also read: Learning to Fast

We honor and respect our parents by means of video calls or other forms of virtual/impersonal communication. We abandon our dreams of materialism by opening our hearts and offering forgiveness. We pray to be pardoned for all sins and misdeeds.

At the same time, we fill the Ramadan victory with sincerity to reflect on all kinds of concern arising.

What and how do we contribute to support the nation’s advancement as part of the pillar of humanity? What kind of interest that should be displayed as a model so as to put a speedy end to the pandemic? Have we so far turned in such a way into homo homini lupus? Indonesia becomes a baldatun thoyibatun warrobun ghofur (prosperous country blessed by God), for which we all should feel grateful.

ARSIP PRIBADI

Widodo Muktiyo

Amid our serenity, concern and sincerity, let us all through the evenings approaching Lebaran listen to the calls praising Almighty God, the One and Only God, to Whom we all will definitely return. Let us shed worldly vanity and line up for the heavenly abode. Happy Idul Fitri 1442 H, asking you for sincere forgiveness.

Widodo Muktiyo, Professor of Communication Science, Sebelas Maret University, Expert Staffer of the Communication and Information Minister, for Communication and Mass Media Affairs

This article was translated by Aris Prawira