By: Muhammad Rizal)*
The essence of fasting is the individual’s ability to be able to withstand all that is bad, including emotions. Therefore, the student demonstration on April 21, 2022 is believed to be tarnishing the sanctity of the month of Ramadan, so a fatwa is required for this action.
Demonstrations conducted by students some time ago have been in the spotlight of many parties. Especially when there was a beating that caused Ade Armando to become one of the victims. Moreover, the demonstration took place during the holy month of Ramadan, in which we should all protect ourselves from lust, including anger.
Therefore, KH Taufik Damas as the Deputy Head of Syuriah for the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Management (PWNU) gave a proposal regarding the issuance of a fatwa that it is forbidden to conduct demonstrations in the month of Ramadan. Of course, it was not without reason that he proposed the fatwa, because it cannot be denied that when someone is in a crowd, especially during demonstrations, they will be prone to losing their identity.
The outburst of anger that should be quelled by fasting, was actually shown by the mass action at the demonstration on April 11, 2022. In fact, the essence of fasting is not only being able to hold back eating and drinking, but more importantly preventing anger that arises within us. Therefore, demonstrations carried out during Ramadan, will certainly disrupt the solemnity of worship in this holy month because the temptation to be angry or to eat and drink will be very large.
The facts on the ground also prove that in almost every demonstration, there must be some emotional outbursts and it often ends with physical contact between the two opposing camps. Concrete examples are the beatings experienced by Ade Armando to mass clashes with the police in several areas.
Let alone in the month of Ramadan as it is now, even as good and obedient Muslims, we are absolutely not allowed to take justice into our own hands, to suddenly attack someone who was not involved in anything and did nothing. Spreading emotions to the point of hate speech is clearly strictly prohibited in religious teachings, let alone beatings that clearly harm someone.
How not, even though the goal that Ade Armando wants to do is just to monitor how the demo is going and create content for the purposes of his YouTube account only. But suddenly a number of unknown masses beat him to a pulp. These things do not reflect the morals or behavior of a good Muslim.
Student demonstrations are also often not substantive and only follow-up. This is reflected in the number of photos, videos, and media reports that review demonstration posters “weird” to contain students’ dirty words that actually tarnish the struggle of students. As a result, netizens were furious and expressed their disappointment at the student movement.
Therefore, the proposed fatwa for holding demonstrations, especially in the holy month of Ramadan, which was expressed by KH Taufik Damas could be a solution for all of us to be able to continue to create an atmosphere of peace and maintain harmony with each other. An unlawful fatwa is needed because many guarantee that the demonstration will run in an orderly and safe manner, but it is unfortunate that the demonstration is anarchic.
As a Muslim we are required to always be patient and keep anger, because anger will lead to other evils. These principles must be understood and implemented, especially in the holy month of Ramadan which is the crater of candradimuka to form the quality of faith and piety.
The demonstration on April 21, 2022 should be canceled because it has no benefits for the benefit of the people. Students are also asked to think rationally and fill the month of Ramadan with positive activities including fundraising for people in need. With positive student actions other than demonstrations, the presence of Indonesian students will be taken into account.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute