KULTUM BERTEMA "RAMADHAN DI BULAN JIHAD"

Summary

In this sermon, Sakira Rizki Putri discusses the true essence of fasting during Ramadan, emphasizing its role in cultivating taqwa (God-consciousness). She highlights that fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also controlling one’s desires and resisting sinful actions. She explains the concept of jihad al-nafs (struggling against one's ego) as the true battle of Ramadan, citing teachings from Imam al-Ghazali. The sermon encourages a higher level of spiritual discipline, urging believers to focus their hearts solely on Allah and purify their intentions during this blessed month.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fasting during Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food and drink but also about spiritual purification and self-discipline.
• 😀 The core purpose of fasting is to increase taqwa (consciousness of Allah), as stated in the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:183).
• 😀 True fasting involves restraining from not just physical needs like hunger and thirst, but also from sinful behavior and desires.
• 😀 The greatest jihad is the struggle against one's own ego and desires (nafs), as described by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• 😀 Imam al-Ghazali divides fasting into three levels: general fasting, special fasting, and super-special fasting (puasa hati).
• 😀 General fasting (saumul 'umum) is the minimum level, focusing on abstaining from food and drink.
• 😀 Special fasting (saumul khasus) involves controlling not just food and drink, but also protecting the senses and actions from sin.
• 😀 Super-special fasting (saumul khasus khasus) requires the heart and mind to focus solely on Allah, eliminating worldly distractions.
• 😀 Fasting at the highest level purifies the soul, with the individual seeking closeness to Allah through both actions and thoughts.
• 😀 Ramadan is a time for self-reflection, spiritual growth, and striving for purity of the heart and mind, in order to live according to Allah’s will.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speech?

The central theme of the speech is Ramadan, particularly focusing on the concept of jihad during this holy month. It emphasizes increasing piety and controlling one's desires as an essential part of fasting.

How does the speaker define 'taqwa' (piety) in the context of Ramadan?

The speaker defines 'taqwa' as not just fulfilling religious duties like fasting and avoiding prohibited actions, but incorporating these acts into daily life in a meaningful way, making them more than just formal obligations.

What does the speaker mean by 'jihad' in relation to Ramadan?

In the speech, 'jihad' refers to the internal struggle against one's own desires and ego, often described as the 'greater jihad' (jihad akbar), which is more difficult than external physical battles. The struggle is about controlling one's impulses and acting in accordance with Islamic principles.

What does the speaker say about the difficulty of fasting?

The speaker acknowledges that fasting may seem easy because many Muslims, particularly in Indonesia, live in a culture where fasting is widely practiced and respected. However, the true difficulty lies in controlling one's desires beyond just food and drink, such as avoiding sinful behaviors and negative thoughts.

What are the three levels of fasting mentioned by the speaker?

The three levels of fasting mentioned are: 1) General fasting (saum al-‘am) which involves abstaining from food and drink. 2) Special fasting (saum al-khass) which extends to controlling senses like sight, hearing, and speech. 3) Super-special fasting (saum al-khass al-khass) which involves purifying the heart and thoughts, focusing solely on Allah.

How does the speaker explain the concept of 'puasa hati' (fasting of the heart)?

The speaker describes 'puasa hati' as the highest form of fasting, where a person not only abstains from physical needs but also keeps their thoughts solely focused on Allah. This level of fasting requires one to cleanse their heart from worldly distractions and desires.

What did Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) say about the greater jihad?

Rasulullah (Prophet Muhammad) described the greater jihad as the struggle against one's own desires, emphasizing that this internal battle is more challenging than external physical battles. This was mentioned after the Battle of Badr, where he told the companions they were returning from a smaller battle to the greater battle of controlling their nafs (ego).

How does the speaker differentiate between the different types of fasting in terms of the practitioners' spirituality?

The speaker differentiates the types of fasting by the practitioner's level of spirituality. General fasting is for ordinary people, special fasting is for the devout who avoid sin, and super-special fasting is for those whose hearts are fully devoted to Allah, free from worldly distractions.

What does the speaker hope for the audience during Ramadan?

The speaker hopes that the audience will use the opportunity of Ramadan to purify their hearts and minds, cleanse themselves from sinful behaviors, and strengthen their devotion to Allah, ultimately making this Ramadan a transformative experience.

Why does the speaker mention the difficulty of controlling one's desires in the context of fasting?

The speaker highlights the difficulty of controlling one's desires because it involves more than just abstaining from food and drink. It requires resisting negative emotions, harmful behaviors, and temptations, which is much harder than controlling basic physical needs. This struggle is considered the true test of fasting during Ramadan.