Gelora Ramadhan PGRI SLCC Edisi 02

Summary

This sermon discusses the importance of increasing piety during the holy month of Ramadan. The speaker emphasizes that true safety in both this world and the hereafter is rooted in fear and devotion to Allah, with piety being the key to achieving this. Ramadan, especially through fasting, serves as a hidden form of worship that helps individuals grow closer to Allah. The sermon illustrates this point with a story of a Kiai testing his students’ piety by asking them to slaughter a bird in secrecy, highlighting the core lesson that true faith is knowing Allah sees all, even in solitude.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ramadan is a time to enhance piety and mindfulness towards Allah.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of Ramadan is to become a person of 'taqwa' (God-consciousness).
• 😀 Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned three keys to human salvation: taqwa, belief in Allah, and good deeds.
• 😀 Taqwa is the fear and consciousness of Allah, which can be cultivated especially during Ramadan.
• 😀 Fasting (puasa) is a form of worship that is private and unseen, a way to strengthen one's connection to Allah.
• 😀 Unlike other acts of worship, fasting is a 'secret' between the worshiper and Allah.
• 😀 A story was shared about a wise teacher (Kiai) testing a student’s devotion by asking him to slaughter a bird in secret.
• 😀 The student, Abdullah, showed his true devotion by refusing to act in secret, knowing Allah was always watching.
• 😀 The story of Abdullah demonstrates the essence of taqwa—acting with sincerity and integrity, even in solitude.
• 😀 Ramadan is a spiritual training ground (Madrasah) that prepares believers to strengthen their relationship with Allah.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the sermon in the transcript?

The central theme of the sermon is to increase piety (taqwa) during the month of Ramadan, emphasizing the importance of fasting as a way to achieve closeness to Allah and improve one's fear and respect for Him.

What is the significance of Ramadan mentioned in the sermon?

Ramadan is presented as an opportunity to increase taqwa (piety) by fasting, which is described as a secretive act of worship known only to Allah and the individual. It is emphasized that the essence of Ramadan is to become more pious by practicing self-restraint.

Why is fasting considered a secretive act of worship?

Fasting is considered secretive because, unlike other acts of worship such as prayer (which can be seen) or charity (which involves material goods), fasting is an internal act that only the individual and Allah are aware of. No one can see if someone is fasting unless they reveal it.

What is the role of fear of Allah (taqwa) in the context of fasting?

Taqwa, or the fear of Allah, plays a critical role in fasting as it helps individuals maintain discipline, even when no one else is watching. The sermon illustrates that fasting helps cultivate this fear of Allah, as fasting requires self-restraint and sincerity.

How does the story about the 40 students and their teacher illustrate the concept of taqwa?

The story illustrates taqwa by showing how one student, Abdullah, demonstrated his fear of Allah by following his teacher's instructions to the letter, even when no one else was around to witness it. The other students, who were less sincere, felt embarrassed when they realized that Abdullah acted out of pure fear of Allah.

What lesson is derived from the example of Abdullah and his actions?

The lesson from Abdullah's actions is that true piety is demonstrated by acting in accordance with Allah's will, even in secret. This teaches that sincerity and obedience to Allah are more important than seeking the approval of others.

What role does Ramadan play in the development of a Muslim's character, according to the sermon?

Ramadan is viewed as a training ground or 'school' for developing taqwa. It is a time to refine one's character, enhance self-discipline, and strengthen the connection with Allah, which will help a person become more pious and upright in their life.

Why does the sermon emphasize that fasting is a unique and powerful form of worship?

The sermon emphasizes fasting as a unique form of worship because it is an internal act that requires complete dedication to Allah. Unlike other visible acts like prayer or charity, fasting tests an individual's inner sincerity and submission to Allah.

What is the ultimate goal of increasing taqwa during Ramadan, as explained in the sermon?

The ultimate goal of increasing taqwa during Ramadan is to become a person who is more conscious of Allah, fears Him, and strives to live a righteous life, both in this world and the hereafter.

How does the concept of 'secret worship' in Ramadan relate to the broader understanding of piety?

The concept of 'secret worship' in Ramadan highlights that true piety involves actions that are solely for Allah, done with sincerity and without the desire for external recognition. This reinforces the idea that taqwa is a personal and internal relationship with Allah.