Halal Bihalal Tradition

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Ahmad Najib Burhani

Idul Fitri took place May 13. However, a halal bihalal (post-Ramadan gathering) is usually held during the month of Shawwal, the 10^th month of the lunar based Islamic calendar. Various government and non-government offices, schools, Islamic organizations, alumni associations or housing complexes usually take turns to hold halal bihalal. Many people hold the post-Ramadan gathering in person and some others hold it virtually.

Halal bihalal is part of a series of activities in the celebration of Idul Fitri. This is a unique Indonesian tradition that is not found in other Islamic countries. Although the name sounds Arabic, it is not an Arabic term. In grammatical terms, halal bihalal does not fit or does not follow recognized Arabic standards, so it does not have a clear meaning.

Literally, it means "permissible by permissible" or "lawful by lawful". However, in general, this term is interpreted as a request to forgive each other and settle a problem. Based on the research of Muhammad Yuanda Zara (2020) and Deni Al Asyari (2021), the term halal bihalal has been commonly used since the first quarter of the 20^th century in various ways of writing, such as chalal bichalal, chalal bil chalal, halal bahalal, alal bahalal, alal. behalal, halal bihalal and so on. The magazine Soeara Muhammadijah in edition number 5 in 1924, for example, used the term "Alal Bahalal" in the title of its editorial.

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The tradition then became an official state event after KH Wahab Chasbullah proposed that president Soekarno hold halal bihalal in 1948 as a way to dissolve tensions between the political elites at that time (Kompas, May 16). The event was used as a tool to bring together various parties who previously did not want to meet and as an effort to reintegrate various elements of the nation. Since then, this activity has become popular, not only among the general public, but also government and non-government offices.

In other countries, during Idul Fitri, Muslims usually say Eid mubarak. Sometimes, it is added with kullu am wa antum bi khair (wishing you blessings throughout the year). A more complete sentence, taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum wataqabbal ya karim, waja\'alanallahu waiyyakum minal \'aidzin wal faizin (May Allah accept all of us, and may you be among those who return to purity and those granted victory).

The tradition of saying the phrase mohon maaf lahir dan batin (I ask for your forgiveness physically and emotionally) or in Javanese, nyuwun pangapunten sedanten kalaling, does not exist in other Muslim countries. In the language of Clifford Geertz (1964, 379), the essence of Idul Fitri or Riyaya, in Java or Indonesia lies in "individual begging of forgiveness" (apologies). Interestingly, this is not only done by Muslims or among Muslims, but also by followers of other religions.

Of course, the halal bihalal tradition can be traced from the Sungkeman or Pisowanan (asking for forgiveness) tradition. Various references indicate that it started when KGPAA Mangkunegara I from Surakarta, or Pangeran Sambernyawa, invited members and soldiers to meet at Astaka Hall to ask for forgiveness to the king and queen after Idul Fitri (Suara Muhammadiyah magazine No. 11, 2019). Although halal bihalal is not known in other countries, the Idul Fitri celebration or festival itself exists in many countries.

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We can see the same traditions in the takbiran parade, fireworks, Idul Fitri prayers, eating together and dressing well. In some ways, this is similar to events held during Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. However, in other counties, there is no tradition of visiting each other or asking for forgiveness from each other during Idul Fitri celebrations. This is typical of Indonesia.

In Pakistan, for example, Idul Fitri celebrations are usually marked with the gathering of families from a number of regions or even those living abroad. This is similar to the mudik or homecoming tradition in our society. On Idul Fitri, they wake up early and wear their new traditional clothes, Kurta Shalwar. Then they gather to eat together, starting with a prayer led by the eldest. After that, they then perform the Idul Fitri prayer. After the prayer, they hug each other and wish each other a happy Idul Fitri.

Well, Idul Fitri celebrations usually combine traditional, modern and even secular elements. Religious elements are reduced or replaced with cultural elements in general. Various traditional foods, such as chapli kebabs and samosas, are served. Children will get angpau (money gift) from parents and siblings.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Hundreds of residents queued at the Jinem Ward, Kanoman Palace, Cirebon City, West Java, to meet and shake hands with Sultan Kanoman XII Raja Muhammad Emirudin at the Idul Fitri 1442 Hijriah open house event, Tuesday (18/5/2021). Even though almost all visitors wear masks, it is still difficult to maintain a distance.

Apart from halal bihalal, other characteristics of the celebration of Idul Fitri  in Indonesia are drum-beating, takbir parade, eating ketupat ( a compressed rice dish cooked in diamond-shaped parcels made from coconut fronds) and visiting family graves. For some, Idul Fitri is not only a celebration for those who are still alive, but also those who have died. Hence, many people were angry when the government banned the people to visit family graves ahead of idul Fitri in order to prevent COVID-19 transmission, while many malls and tourist attractions were still open.

Of course, different regions in Indonesia celebrate Idul Fitri and hold the halal bilhalal gathering in different ways. In Java, the Idul Fitri celebration, which lasts for a week, is closed with the eating of ketupat. Elsewhere, ketupat is served on the first day of idul Fitri.

Hopefully, COVID-19 will end quickly and we can celebrate halal bihalal and other traditional events in a warmer and happier way!

Ketupat, which has become an icon of Idul Fitri, is often ascribed to the word ngalu lepat (admitting a mistake). However, some interpret it as a papat practice (four actions): Lebaran (opening the door wide), luberan (sharing luck), leburan (forgive each other) and laburan (white and clean from sins) (Rianti et al. 2018, 6). There are also those who think it comes from the Arabic word kafa (perfect). After fasting for a month and asking for forgiveness from one another, we will become perfect as human beings.

Finally, I use this year’s Idul Fitri as an opportunity to beg for forgiveness. Hopefully, COVID-19 will end quickly and we can celebrate halal bihalal and other traditional events in a warmer and happier way!

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.