Ahmad Syafii Maarif

This is the nation’s teacher

Who dared face the hunger for power

Dared to face those who abuse religion

Because justice must reign

For the sake of justice, [he] dared stand

Taking a side is a divine calling

So that none can be easily trampled

Those persecuted will not again be abused

–Azhar Ibrahim Alwee (2022)

Death is sure to come, especially for the elderly. Although he said repeatedly that he was very old, we did not seem to accept it and instead, wanted to refute the news about the death of Buya Ahmad Syafii Maarif on 27 May 2022, who was born in Sumpur Kudus, Minangkabau, in 1935.

Buya died on Friday in the month of Syawal. Of course, this is a very good day to depart from a religious standpoint for a person who dedicated his entire life to humanity. However, we never want to be left behind by a figure like Buya, who has been a role model. We have lost our “nation’s teacher”, champion of democracy and a figure who has broken down the barriers between religions and of sectarianism. Buya is a clear symbol of honesty, humility, brotherhood and a national role model.

On the occasion of his 86th birthday on 31 May 2021, Buya published an article in Kompas titled “The Paralysis of Pancasila”. In it, Buya hopes that Pancasila “will not be allowed to languish in the hands of the nation’s children who do not want to learn”. Buya believes that, “Except for the ‘radical and emotional’ group, no one doubts that Pancasila is the best choice and decision as the main guide for safeguarding the journey of this state and country for an indefinite time.”

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However, in practice, Pancasila was often just for show or a “political lipstick” and a shield for those in power. Buya advised: “Pancasila should not be betrayed by anyone anymore so it becomes paralyzed in guarding the independence of the nation.”

Due to frequent illness, Buya published articles only occasionally in 2022. However, until the last second of his life, as stated in the article above, his critical power and courage do not seem to have diminished at all. His sense of fear was long gone. His analytical strength remained sharp and his concern for the nation’s problems was real. It is very rare for figures of his age to be productive still, one of these is, of course, Franz Magnis-Suseno (born 1936).

However, his age did not prevent him from finishing his studies in another country.

With Buya’s death, there are several important lessons to be learned from this “Muezzin of the Nation”. First, Buya is proof that there is no such thing as despair or being late in education or a career. When he did his doctoral at the University of Chicago in the 1980s, he was older than his peers. However, his age did not prevent him from finishing his studies in another country.

KOMPAS

President Joko Widodo visited Ahmad Syafii Maarif or commonly called Buya Syafii, Saturday (26/3/2022).

When he led Muhammadiyah in 1998, he was 63 years old. He was different from other figures like Amien Rais, Din Syamsuddin, and Haedar Nashir, who became general chairman at 50, 45 and 57, respectively. Though Buya was relatively old, he continued his rise to the top after leading Muhammadiyah.

Second, Buya is none other than an example of a man who is given the gift of excellent health and long life. Reaching 87 years is considered a rarity in Indonesia, especially with good health and still working productively. Buya did not have any dietary restrictions. Eating satay and tengkleng (stewed lamb bone) was his habit. What was his secret? Maybe fasting, having a lot of gratitude and cycling diligently.

This custom probably started from his background as a journalist, which he was when he was young, so writing was like breathing for him.

Before 2022, Buya was constantly active in writing for the Resonansi column in the Republika daily and writing opinion articles for Kompas and the Suara Muhammadiyah magazine. Once every two weeks, perhaps, could we read the writings and analyses of Buya Syafii, who surpassed the productivity of even young academics. This custom probably started from his background as a journalist, which he was when he was young, so writing was like breathing for him.

Third, Buya is a model leader who led a simple life. Perhaps many activists who are much younger had nicer homes than him. In fact, if Buya wanted to, he could have become very rich. However, it seems that Buya wanted to lead a simple life with dignity. In the book Orang-orang Muhammadiyah yang Bersahaja (Humble people of Muhammadiyah; 2021), Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, the Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon, tells of Buya Syafii’s official car when he chaired Muhammadiyah. What was it? A Kijang minivan. Buya also often drove himself everywhere or took a taxi. His food favorite was Nasi Kapau in Menteng, and sometimes he brought takeaway to the Muhammadiyah office for sahur (pre-dawn meal) during Ramadhan.

Fourth, and most importantly, Buya has become a symbol that there is no such thing as a human being that is “unchangeable”. A human rights and democracy activist can become a figure of a radical group. Examples can be found easily around us. Likewise, a fundamentalist and radical Muslim can experience conversion and become a model of friendly, tolerant and rahmatan lil ‘alamin Islam. One example is Buya Ahmad Syafii Maarif himself.

As he wrote in his autobiography, Titik-titik Kisar di Perjalananku (Points along my journey; 2009), Buya used to be a fundamentalist who aspired to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia. However, since he studied at the University of Chicago under the mentorship of Fazlur Rahman, Buya became a neo-modernist Muslim. In short, Buya migrated or converted from a fundamentalist to a progressive Muslim.

Finally, as he frequently told his Muhammadiyah cadres, an activist rests only when the soul has separated from the body. Life is not a picnic, but a struggle and sacrifice that must be used as much as possible before we return to God.

DOKUMENTASI PP MUHAMMADIYAH

General Chairperson of PP Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir (right) visits Ahmad "Buya" Syafii Maarif, at PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital, Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region, Sunday (28/7/2019).

In the song “Mars Muhammadiyah”, formerly titled “Sang Surya”, it is said that our only rival in illuminating the Earth is the Sun. Therefore, if you want to be better than the sun in your service, you must start working before the sun rises. “Behold the sun has risen/there on the eastern horizon/The divine call of Almighty God, sami’na wa atho’na”. This is what Ahmad Dahlan exemplified and Buya Syafii Maarif followed in his steps.

Buya Syafii is now at rest. His task of guiding and being the nation’s teacher has ended. We are in charge of continuing it. Even though Buya has passed away, his works will continue to accompany us in turning the wheels of this nation.

Rest in peace, Buya! May we continue to carry your messages steadfastly.

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo)