If we talk about Progressive Islam, surely, our direction is Islam that is Rahmatan Lil’alamin (the mercy to all creation). That was a statement from Prof. Dr Sofyan Anif, M.Sc, at the Islamic sermon on “The Power of Knowledge is a Pillar of Progressive Islam”, at the Islamic Center Madiun, Sunday (08/01).
The Chancellor of UM Surakarta, recently inaugurated as UM Madiun Rector, also told a story in a hadith narrated by Abu Jafar and Abdullah bin Masud. The hadith was told that when the Prophet was about to enter the mosque, he was visited by a young man. He asked “Rasulullah, should I join this gathering (assembly of knowledge) or that (assembly of dhikr)? Then the Prophet replied by pointing to the gathering of knowledge.
Then, he explained Rasulullah’s answer that there is a teaching and learning process in the scientific assembly. “The dhikr assembly is also good, they hope to get a reward from Allah, but whether it is accepted or not is not certain. It depends on the sincerity of the people who pray. But here, there is a process of teaching and learning, from those who know to those who don’t know, from those who already have the knowledge to those who do not have the knowledge,” he explained. He continued, in the history of the hadith, Rasulullah was sent by Allah only to be a teacher (mualliman).
Muhammadiyah is very committed to science, such as by establishing schools or scientific assemblies. He explained that the conversation between the Prophet Muhammad and the young man formed a foundation that Islam should prioritize scientific assembly, by remembering to not forget its contents and implementing the contents of the Koran.
By quoting An-Nisa verse 9, according to Anif, it becomes a warning to not leave generations who are weak in faith, physical, or knowledge. “It is our duty (as parents), which cannot be separated from our responsibilities. Building a generation means building the power of Islam in the future, a strong generation. Not what Allah insinuated in Surah An-Nisa verse 9 earlier, leaving a weak generation,” he explained.
The power of knowledge would provide a strong foundation for the formation of progressive Islam, as implemented by Muhammadiyah.
In front of the audience that gathered in the Madiun Islamic Center, Sofyan Anif also highlighted that knowledge will become light and guidance, both in religious values and scientific knowledge. Not only to recite it but also to understand the content and practice it.
