The birth of Prophet (PBUH) to whip up prophetic spirit

It is reasonable enough if Salahuddin Al Ayyubi celebrated the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW to whip up the spirit of jihad against crusaders. It is a fact that through the commemoration he could fuel Muslims moral to get triumphs in any battles. The sunnah or tradition pioneered by the Muslim hero has till now continuously reverberated in every corner of Muslim countries. Unfortunately, there have been some Islamic groups both forbidding and regarding the tradition as a heresy because they have had no whispering fight spirit and suggested the fight is not important.

But Muslim majority especially Sunni would always hold firmly on the tradition preserved in entire Muslim countries. Its voice has reverberated up to now in any forms, including religious sermon and even recited ballads, praises and poetries could reverberate the Throne of God (arasy). For the commemoration has become a tradition so if has its own logic. As the procession that can no longer be put aside so it is understandable if the Republic of Indonesia has settled the Maulid Nabi as holiday.<>

It implies that we need to constantly find inspiration and prophetic spirit from the commemoration of the Maulid Nabi for till now there have still been many sectors that should be taken into account like politics, social and culture. Whatever small the community, it should again and again inherit the tradition as effort of expecting protection (syafaat) to win freedom from backwardness, poverty and any sufferings.

On account of its own “stupidity” to hand over entire sovereignty to irresponsible foreign countries, Indonesia has now still faced big problems and multi-crises like moral, culture, politics and economy. Indonesia has in this case lost its capacity to serve its own people. In turn, its people would forcibly beg other countries and even be treated as slaves for it has lost its self confidence, identity and integrity.

Prophet Muhammad as the man bringing the lighting torch has succeeded to eradicate the condition of ignorance to peace; elevating people’s dignity and morality to be the ones whose integrity and freeing the people from any exploitation conducted by rich circles by introducing the importance of distribution through what called as zakat, sodaqah and infak. The spectacular examples were implemented by the Prophet (peace be upon him) from avoiding possible gap in society.

Through the commemoration of the Maulid Nabi we are expected to take as many lessons as possible by tracing the history or the legacy of the Prophet (PBUH). At present we are being trapped into any shackles. For that reason we are really in need of the spirit of liberation so we will no longer complain about condition. We are expected to take a stand against any injustice. This is a prophetic duty that should be supported by each of us as such effort to realize Islam as the blessing for the universe.

Ironically, there have been some considering the condition as a normal feature so there is no need of total change as viewed by circles using advantages of the imbalance and injustice social structure. But those precisely examining the reality, the social imbalance can not be put aside. The condition that is not in line with the principle of moral and justice should be changed.

To meet the goal any social activities must be conducted. Besides, we must have both spirit and militancy to address the expected goal in accordance with the principle of justice. Through the commemoration of the Maulid Nabi SAW, it is a good time for Muslims around the world to whip up the prophetic spirit to fuel power in dealing with the justice. Moreover in accordance with the Quran as saying that the justice is the end goal leading to taqwa. (Abdul Mun’im DZ)