Notes from CIIS Class (Contemporary Issues in Islamic Studies)

When someone achieves high level of knowledge, s/he might not need religion.

This happens when someone with high knowledge, they tend to see things or diagnose any problem or situation from a scientific point of view, do observation and finally put it into clear and logical explanation. In this state, ones tend to consider themselves to be able to overcome their problems by themselves without any reliance on what the religion says. It is because people commonly come to religion when they are not able to find an explanation of things. In other words,  it shows their weaknesses as human being.

Low level of knowledge view what happens as a mystery.

This shows the limited ability of ones to find an answer of what is happening in the surrounding. this is close to positivism which refers to the limited ability of human to explain stuffs. For example, when a kid is having fever, we might have ever heard people relate it to any interference of Jin or any spirits around. Here, the circumstance is perceived to be a mystery. Another example is Tsunami in Aceh in 2004. Not a few people saw this phenomenon to show that God is angry for what the people are doing there and urges the importance of taubah after this disaster. Besides, some people tried to make certain connections between what is happening with what Qur'an says in particular verses by matching the number of the surah and verse. Sorry to say, it is considered to be false logical thinking.

The knowledge in Pesantren is over.
If we try visiting some Pesantren and have a look at how Islam is taught by the Kyai as the main teacher, we will find that the knowledge of Islam there is delivered in one-way without much critical questions coming from the students. Yes, sometimes the students of the Pesantren might ask questions but still the explanation is referred to the books (so called Kitab Kuning, after the Holy Qor'an) being learned which have been used and repeated for long time from generation to generation. This kind of teaching is considered to be normative since it is related to an ideal standard or model, or being based on what is considered to be the normal or correct way of doing something (Al-Qur'an, Hadis, and Kitab Kuning). What has been told is that is to be followed with no more discussion on it.

Religious study doesn't meet the social expectation.
This case is closely related to the last point above. Islamic religious study is mostly normative and cannot really answer the recent social phenomena or problems happening in the surrounding which might have never found in the past. This kind of study may be enough for the agricultural people in rural area, but not for the people living in a competitive environment and global life like Jakarta. Too many contemporary things to be discussed and answered in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence.  Therefore, this situation requires to conduct an empirical study in the planning and design of Islamic education.

In the last semester, I studied Contemporary Issues in Islamic Studies (CIIS). This course was delivered by two excellent lecturers, Prof. Dr. Abudin Nata, M.A. and Dr. Abdul Mu'thi. I have learned lots of things from both of them through the classroom discussion and also lecturing. The note above is just a little compared to what both have already shared to my friends and I in the classroom for one semester. I am not more than a learner who is always looking forward to your comments and feedbacks.

Each of Us is Free to Choose

I wrote the following thoughts a few weeks ago when the issue of governor election of Jakarta became such a hot issue to talk about.

Many times my students ask my opinion about voting for non-Moslem leader. Well, it's what's happening now in Jakarta. Recently, Moslems and non-Moslems, they are all like in a war; even among Moslems too. A war with no sword nor murder, but different thoughts and beliefs in rough words. Honestly I don't know what to say to them, my students about it. I'm afraid that what I'm saying might be wrong. Lucky if my answer is correct, but what if not. I might be feeling burdened in all my life afterwards. I take my time and now trying to see this case from some different points of view. No one is qualified to make a judgment of which one is true or wrong to be followed after all. The different ideas of some groups are not wrong. What makes it wrong is just about they way people speak up which then cause the situation worse.

Some groups of Moslems insist to not for non-Moslem to be the governor of Jakarta. The reason is that the Holy Qur'an says so. Besides, they are worried about and scared by a lot of possibilities, especially any policy against Islamic principles, which might happen in the future if the governor is not a Moslem. Thus, to not vote for a non-Moslem is such an opportunity to avoid all of those possibilities happen. Well, simply I can say that these people have a good reason and intention in their voice.

Anyway, some other people (including Moslems and non-Moslems) say "to chose a governor is not only for Moslems, but also for all people in the society (with different religions)", which means the governor doesn't have to be a Moslem. It can be anyone from any religion. I learned long time ago from my teacher that we need to hand over a task or duty for those who are qualified and competent. And now, what is the Moslem candidates are not as qualified or competent as the non-Moslem  candidates. Don't you think we need to be smart in this case? objectively analyze the programs proposed by each candidate for the better future.

In fact, the idea above invites people (Moslems who says 'no' for non-Moslem leader) respond "But someone's thoughts and actions are the representations of his/her religion. Still we go for Moslem leaders". This point of view implies that for them, a Moslem governor is good and a non-Moslem governor is not good, or Islam is a good religion and others are not good religions.

This complicated debate has been going on till now. What I said to all my students is that each person (including my students) has his/her own reason for what she/he is doing with certain intention and expectation within. And I'm pretty sure that the intention is for the sake of goodness. Each of us is free to decide which one to vote for with our own reason and it's confidential.