MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Saad Ibrahim emphasized the importance of gentle Islamic preaching while enhancing religious knowledge and scientific understanding.
He highlighted the example of the Muhammadiyah founder, Ahmad Dahlan, who successfully integrated Islamic teachings with modern science.
“Progress is always based on literacy. It’s not just about reciting. The main mission of the verse is bismirabbik (in the name of your Lord), followed by qiraat (reciting),” said Saad.
Islam and science have never contradicted, and the development of a modern civilization is indivisible from the role of an Islamic civilization.
“Thus, Muhammadiyah people should contribute to reviving the second Islamic golden age,” said Saad.
Muhammadiyah has attempted to achieve the second golden age through its actions and integration between religion and science in Muhammadiyah educational institutions and other institutions.
Muhammadiyah has achieved acknowledgments in Indonesia and overseas. For example, a world anthropologist Robert W. Hefner acknowledged the progress of Muhammadiyah, particularly its education.
Saad, further, emphasized that Muhammadiyah preachers should learn and enhance their understanding of science so that they do not judge their da’wa objects and other people.
“We don’t know what the future holds. Someone who may not be a Muslim today could become a better Muslim than us tomorrow,” said Saad.
Indeed, the idea of amar ma’ruf nahi munkar (enjoining what is good and forbidding) cannot be performed textually. Evil cannot be combated by evil. That would defeat the purpose of amar ma’ruf nahi munkar.
