Biografi Buya Hamka - Bagian 1

Summary

Utan Hamka, born in 1908, was a prominent Islamic scholar, preacher, and political figure from Indonesia. His early life was marked by personal struggles, including a strained relationship with his parents and a search for his own identity. As a leading figure in the Muhammadiyah movement and a well-known writer, Hamka played a crucial role in Indonesia's national movement. Despite political tensions, he continued to influence the religious and literary world, creating the renowned *Tafsir Al-Azhar*. Hamka’s legacy remains significant in Islamic thought, with his impact spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hamka was born on February 17, 1908, in a family with a significant Islamic reform influence. His father, Abdul Karim Amrullah, was a well-known figure in the Minangkabau region.
• 😀 At the age of 6, Hamka enrolled in the Sumatra Tawalib modern Islamic school, led by his father, but sought to distance himself from his father's prominent legacy.
• 😀 In 1924, at the age of 16, Hamka moved to Java to further his education and connect with key figures of the national movement, such as H. Omar Said Cokroaminoto and Ki Bagus Hadi Kusumo.
• 😀 Hamka's strained relationship with his parents, particularly due to their divorce, led him to take an independent path. He later traveled secretly to Mecca at 16, working there to support himself.
• 😀 Hamka’s arranged marriage to Siti Raham lasted 42 years, and they had 10 children together, despite initial guilt over his secret departure to Mecca.
• 😀 Hamka rose to prominence as a preacher and scholar within the Muhammadiyah organization and played a significant role in its expansion in West Sumatra and Medan.
• 😀 In the 1930s, while in Medan, Hamka engaged in literature, producing poetry and novels, including bestsellers with Islamic preaching themes, such as 'The Sinking Ship'.
• 😀 Hamka contributed to the national movement during the Japanese occupation, even assisting with military propaganda, and continued to support the Indonesian independence struggle.
• 😀 In 1950, Hamka became politically involved and was elected to the Indonesian Constituent Assembly, representing the Indonesian Muslim Assembly Party (Masyumi).
• 😀 After the political changes under President Soekarno's regime, Hamka faced imprisonment, physical torture, and criticism for his political resistance, especially his stance on the Indonesian Constitution and its national ideologies.
• 😀 Despite being imprisoned from 1964 to 1966, Hamka completed his monumental Tafsir Al-Azhar, a widely respected interpretation of the Qur'an that remains influential across Southeast Asia, even after his release.
• 😀 In the 1970s, Hamka was appointed as the first chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and was influential in shaping religious discourse in Indonesia, though his stance on religious issues sometimes brought him into conflict with the government.

Q & A

Who was Utan Hamka's father, and what was his significance?

Utan Hamka's father was Abdul Karim Amrullah, also known as Rasul. He was a significant figure in Islamic reform in Ranah Minang and was the leader of the modern Islamic school, Sumatra Tawalib.

Why did Hamka decide to migrate to Java at the age of 16?

Hamka migrated to Java at the age of 16 to escape the shadow of his father's great reputation and to establish his own identity, partly due to a strained relationship with his parents after their divorce.

What relationship did Hamka have with prominent figures like H. Omar Said Cokroaminoto and Ki Bagus Hadi Kusumo?

Hamka had close relationships with several influential figures, including H. Omar Said Cokroaminoto, Ki Bagus Hadi Kusumo, and RM Pranoto, which helped him in his involvement with the national movement and Muhammadiyah.

What significant event took place during Hamka's time in Medan in the 1930s?

In Medan during the 1930s, Hamka led the magazine 'Pedoman Masyarakat,' which became a platform for national movement figures, including Bung Karno and Bung Hatta, contributing to the spirit of national independence.

How did Hamka contribute to literature, and what were some of his notable works?

Hamka returned to literature, writing poetry and novels, including two romantic novels with a message of preaching. His novel 'The Sinking of the Ship' became a bestseller.

What role did Hamka play during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in 1942?

During the Japanese occupation, Hamka helped the military by delivering speeches that inspired unity and bravery among Muslims in Indonesia, urging them to adapt in the face of war.

How did the political situation under President Soekarno affect Hamka's career?

Hamka's political involvement, particularly with Masyumi and his opposition to the Soekarno regime, led to significant tension, with Hamka later being imprisoned and his work targeted for destruction by the government.

What major event led to Hamka's imprisonment in 1964, and what was his condition afterward?

Hamka was arrested on January 17, 1964, under accusations of counter-revolutionary activities and tortured. He was only released in 1966, after which he was treated for physical ailments caused by the torture.

What was Hamka's greatest scholarly achievement, and how did his imprisonment impact this work?

Hamka's most significant scholarly achievement was his monumental tafsir of the Quran, Tafsir Al-Azhar. His imprisonment allowed him the time to complete this tafsir, which is still widely respected today.

How did Hamka's relationship with the government evolve over time, especially with the New Order regime?

Although Hamka initially had a close relationship with the government, particularly with Bung Karno, his involvement with political opposition led to a strained relationship. However, in the 1970s, Hamka was approached by the New Order regime and appointed as the first chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).