NU Congress and ‘Fikrah Nahdliyyah’ in National Interactions
The thinking concept was not merely an excessive obsession, given the fact that NU leaders were among the founding fathers of the nation.
Fikrah nahdliyyah is the foundation of thought of the Nahdlatul Ulama community initiated by the founders of Indonesia’s largest socioreligious organization.
Fikrah nahdliyyah is adopted as the basis for the “Indonesianism” thinking framework (fikrah wathaniyyah). NU leaders hope that such a thinking concept could encourage broad perspectives to inspire the world (fikrah 'alawiyah).
The thinking concept was not merely an excessive obsession, given the fact that NU leaders were among the founding fathers of the nation. Prominent NU figures played an important role conceptually in organizing and formulating the foundations of Indonesia as a nation.
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NU's international role represented by its figures can also be seen from its active involvement in the resolution of national and regional conflicts in a number of countries and regions.
Several NU figures participated in the establishment of a community organization called Nahdlatul Ulama Afghanistan (NUA).
NU took part as requested in reconciliation efforts for the warring factions in Afghanistan. Several NU figures participated in the establishment of a community organization called Nahdlatul Ulama Afghanistan (NUA).
Until today, the ulema community in NUA is still solid, even though some of the community members are in exile in other countries.
NU was also involved in reconciling the conflicts in Myanmar some time ago. The NU executive board has also initiated a conference of world scholars, which is regularly held in Jakarta.
The substance of fikrah
The most prominent substance of fikrah nahdliyyah is the concept of religious moderation (fikrah tawasuthiyyah), which is characterized by adherence to social tolerance (fikrah tasamuhiyyah), with a reformist spirit (fikrah ishlahiyyah) and dynamism (fikrah tathawwuriyyah), based on the principles of rationalism (fikrah manhajiyyah).
The concept of fikrah ushuliyyah promoted by NU figures allows NU to glide independently on the political waves of the country.
With the conceptual nature like this, we indeed hope that NU, as a religious organization and the largest social organization in the world in term of membership, can remain a balancing force, as well as a melting pot for the myriad of intrigues in this beloved country.
NU was born and developed with its own style and culture. As an organization with ahlussunnah wal jama'ah religious school of jurisprudence, NU displays an accommodative approach toward various religious schools of jurisprudence outside it.
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A meeting between the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, Said Aqil Siroj and the Secretary General of the World Muslim League, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, at the PBNU Jakarta office, Thursday (27/2/2020).
NU proves itself to be able to adapt to local wisdoms on the one hand and international-universal values on the other.
With its tolerance spirit, as seen in its historical trajectory, NU has never thought of uniting nor overpowering the other existing religious schools of jurisprudence.
Likewise, since its inception, NU has never thought about getting rid of local cultural values, even though they are diametrically distinct from the substance of its sharia doctrine.
On the other hand, NU acculturates and interacts positively with the traditions and culture of the local community.
The acculturation process has given birth to Islam with a friendly face to local cultural values and respectful of differences in religion, traditions and beliefs — all these being viewed as the cultural heritage of the archipelago.
In this regard, NU has naturally built a multicultural perspective. This means that its socio approach, aimed not at protecting local traditions or culture but acknowledging local traditions and culture, is the manifestation of the rights to life in accordance with the core of NU's Islamic jurisprudence.
One of the distinctive features of NU religious practices is their capacity to implement sacred religious teachings in a contextually profane culture.
NU can prove that the universality of Islam can be applied without having to get rid of local cultures. The universality values of Islam, according to NU, do not necessarily clash with local cultures or values that come from outside NU.
NU believes that Islamic law can be practiced without it being formally institutionalized.
NU, right from the beginning, has subscribed to a flexible approach in practicing Islamic teachings, in that it does not see it compulsory to go through formalistic means if it meant colliding with reality in a formal way. NU believes that Islamic law can be practiced without it being formally institutionalized.
NU idealizes the substance of sharia values implemented in society rather than idealize formal institutionalization.
A formal institutionalization of religious teaching is not a guarantee for the realization of sharia values in society. Moreover, NU is resolved that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) based on Pancasila is an unnegotiable state form for the nation. NU is of the view that it is the destiny bestowed by Allah SWT that Indonesia has emerged as a nation with social pluralism.
Future challenges
NU's challenges in the future are getting tougher along with the growing complexity of the problems that arise in this 4.0 era. Every nation inherently has its own unique culture that it has the right to use and develop in order to progress and achieve glory.
The vaccinator injects the AstraZeneca vaccine to Nahdlatul Ulama clerics, which was attended by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin at the East Java PWNU Office, Surabaya, East Java, Tuesday (23/3/2021).
Japan, China, South Korea, New Zealand and a number of other developed countries have been able to overcome the challenges of their times without losing their identity.
Of course, we don't want NU to contribute a fikrah that would get rid of the identity of the nation. NU is expected to become the social anchor of this great nation so as not to be swayed by various cultural waves from outside without us being selective and resistant.
NU existed before this nation was founded and has since been around to help oversee the process of this nation's journey. NU's nationalism cannot be doubted.
Since its inception, NU has been committed to the creation of civic society as evidenced further by its idea of Islam Nusantara (Islam with Archipelagic nature), which is seen as a manifestation of an "independent nation".
This commitment was demonstrated in the Banjarmasin Congress in 1936, the Jihad Resolution in 1945, the inauguration of the state head of the Republic of Indonesia as waliyyu al-amri ad-dharuri bi as-syaukah (holder of a dlaruri government with power and sovereignty) and the acceptance of Pancasila and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia as the ultimate goal of Muslims’ endeavor.
They function as motivators and stabilizers in aspiring the national mission of the Republic of Indonesia.
NU scholars have always put in efforts to overcome common social problems. They position themselves as faqih fi mashalih al-khalqi (having the capacity and knowledge about universal welfare, especially for human beings). They function as motivators and stabilizers in aspiring the national mission of the Republic of Indonesia.
The 1926 NU khitah stipulates that NU as an organization should not only stay away from the practical political arena but also strive to prevent the community from being divided by politically vested powers.
The adage "NU is everywhere, but not going anywhere" is a very important reminder for anyone who will lead NU in the future.
NU will be abandoned by its loyalists if it lets itself under one of the forces of a political party. NU will be much more respected if it moves beyond the maneuvers of short-term interests.
Elderly clerics from Nahdlatul Ulama met with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin who is also Mustasyar NU at the Vice President's official residence, Jalan Diponegoro, Jakarta, Wednesday (24/11/2021) afternoon. This meeting discussed plans for the 34th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress to be held in Lampung.
In the momentum of the upcoming NU congress, we hope that all circles, especially the candidates who will compete for NU skipper, always side with the community and all citizens of the nation in prayer and strive for Indonesia to be able get through the difficult times and emerge a winning nation in the ensuing competitive era. Allahu a'lam [Allah knows best]
Nasaruddin Umar, Grand imam of Istiqlal Mosque, former chairman of NU Council Board
(This article was translated by Musthofid).
