Nurul Mu’Min, M.Pd
Academic Staff of University of Pasundan
We often forget about what we said that we’re doing His Sunnah, but in the fact, we are even in the opposite side. We easily said that, “It is the Prophet’s Sunnah”, but we always forget that we have easily done the opposite. We did often forget or actually did it on purpose.
The boy was normally born, like the others. His childhood life went on, like the others. He was extraordinarily gifted by an outstanding intelligence, but he lives very humble and helpful around his friends.
On the 18th day since he was born, he was already raised by other people. It is not because his mother did not want to raise him up, but the community tradition said so. The main purpose of the tradition is to make the child being able to learn the language well: a local, original language, which has not been blended with another language.
In the kampong, he was breastfed, raised and well-educated for three years. He grew up into a responsive, patient and honest child. He also kept helping his friends and was always humble, even he had an outstanding intelligence compared to any other kids in his age around him, moreover he is also a descendant of one of the most respected tribes in the area. That made people liked him.
He grew up into a hard-working teenager, a successful goat-herder teenager. When he turned 12 years old, he started to learn trading with his uncle. Because of his tenacity, honesty and friendliness, he became a successful trader. Long story short, he has become a successful young man, a merchant between countries –the so-called multinational entrepreneur, if we call it now. At the age of 25 years old, he married a wealthy businesswoman, who in the end, both spent their energy and wealth to build human civilization.
His wife listened to him well and always supported and helped all struggles his husband has been facing to as well. And so did her husband –loving and loyal: who always stayed by her side until death picked his wife up.
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From the brief story above, we could have probably guessed who that young man was –the young man, that will later be known as a bearer of mercy to the universe “Rahmatan Lil Alamin”. He is the one who was/is esteemed, the role model for all human beings and the headman of all Prophets: Muhammad Rasulullah PBUH (Peace Be Upon Him). Shalawat and salutation are always shed on him, may the blessings and salutation be on ourselves as his people.
If we are good enough to make the story our example, that could surely be our valuable lesson, as motivation to empower us to become financially strong. There are hard-work, honesty and patience in every effort to obtain maximum result. It is clear and important: fidunya hasanah –that we have to obtain hasan in the world first, and then obtain hasanah in the hereafter life.
Then, what is it for, after we have obtained financial strength? Of course, we share them. Build people, help those who need our help. At least, we have already left all things related to the world and have not been bothered by world affairs, so that we are not a burden to society anymore: at least we have already become independent on ourselves. If each and anyone of us have already become independent, it would be much easier for us to become a peaceful and prosperous society.
Forgotten or Purposively Forgotten
Now, the great figure is gone, but his grace and love are always throughout the ages. It is appropriate if he is called a perfect-and-complete human being who has taught us compassion to others. He was/is the bearer of mercy to the universe. There is Uswatun Hasanah inside him, being an example in living the life.
As his people, we should properly follow him as an example: not imitating him in a letterlek (letterlijk) way, but following and implementing the good values inside. That is what we call following the Prophet’s Sunnah.
Based on the brief story above, we should try to explore more about great values of his. He was/ is an honest and patient hard-worker, likeable by his business friends because of his trustworthiness. He built trading industries around the globe, so that he became a successful entrepreneur. From the results of his industry, or his efforts in commerce, he began to build people, build spirit of humanity with patience patiently. We could see his efforts at the present. If we look at today’s reality, we could say that he built the industry first. After he succeeded, he dedicated it to build the spirit of humanity. We could not do it in the other way, unless it would also become useless –or, mistakenly by building a Spiritual Industry
Last but not least, these are the simplest things and everyone, –or those who have learned about the sirah, would also know about it. He was/ is a loving figure especially to his wife, always treated her softly and never hurt her. Frankly and straightforwardly speaking, he never cheated on his first wife while she was still living with him. He was/ is loyal to his love life: his affection towards his wife is also straightforwardly told by his loyal-friends. It is easy to get to know more about his stories, especially through the internet. When his wife died, he lost in grieving. That year was also known as “The Grieving Year” or Ammul Huzni.
From those two examples, we often forget that sometime we said that we are doing His Sunnah, but in the fact, we are even in the opposite side. We easily said that, “It is the Prophet’s Sunnah”, but we always forget that we have easily done the opposite. We did often forget or actually did it on purpose.
Yes, it is probably human’s habit. Human always give it look first –for what it benefits for them. If they think it could give them benefits, they would do it on purpose. Therefore, it is common to see that every Sunnah seemingly trapped us. We always feel satisfied when doing the Sunnah as if it is fulfilling our ancient desires. Finally, we always take cover on the word of Sunnah.
How do we learn of following His Sunnah? Of course, we learn them from Ulama. Ulama is the successor/ heirs to the prophet’s message. We could learn them akhlaqul karimah, akhlaq which always sends love to all beings.
However, it is not easy to find a true one/ ones, because he/ she never cares to show up, never do it on purpose publicly. But he/ she is always there when we need them. Maybe he/ she is the one who picks up trash every day in front of our house, or maybe he/ she is there, every day by our bedside. Wallahu’alam. Cag***
