EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — A Muhammadiyah scholar has called on Muslims to emulate the courage of the Prophet Ibrahim in defending truth amid what he described as a growing culture of misinformation and manipulation.
Speaking during a Friday (29/5) sermon at Islamic Center Mosque of Ahmad Dahlan University, Jannatul Husna said one of Ibrahim’s most enduring qualities was asy-syaja’ah, or moral courage.
According to Husna, that virtue remains highly relevant in what many observers call the “post-truth” era. This is an era in which public opinion is often shaped more by emotion and repetition than facts.
“This is an age where falsehoods are amplified and repeated until they are accepted as truth. At the same time, the actual truth is pushed aside and treated as insignificant,” he said.
Husna cited a saying of the Prophet Muhammad describing a time when liars would be trusted and honest people would be dismissed. He argued that a similar situation existed during Ibrahim’s lifetime, when idol worship had become socially accepted while monotheism appeared strange and unpopular.
As a result, he said, truth should never be measured by the number of people who support it.
“Ibrahim had the courage to stand alone against the falsehood of his time,” he said.
Husna also referred to a Quranic verse that describes Ibrahim as an ummah, or a nation unto himself. Drawing on the interpretation of Egyptian scholar Ahmad Mustafa Al-Maraghi, he said the description reflects Ibrahim’s extraordinary collection of virtues, dignity, and courage.
“If Ibrahim’s courage and nobility were distributed among us today,” he said. “They would be more than enough to build a brave nation.”
Silence Enables Wrongdoing
A central theme of Husna’s sermon focused on the dangers of remaining silent in the face of injustice.
He argued that when good people refuse to speak out, wrongdoing becomes more entrenched and harmful.
“Our choices are simple,” he said. “Either we fall together or we rise together. When we ignore immorality and fall to uphold the truth, corruption spreads more widely.”
Husna warned against what h]he called a form of “modern hypocrisy.” That is the fear of speaking honestly because of concerns about losing status, wealth, or favor with those in power.
He compared that attitude to the magicians who served Pharaoh in the story of Moses. Before confronting the prophet, they reportedly asked whether they would receive rewards if they succeeded. Pharaoh promised them prestige and proximity to power.
“This is a transactional mentality,” Husna said. “It is the willingness to sell the truth for rewards and position.”
By contrast, he said, Ibrahim’s example teaches the believers to seek only God’s approval rather than recognition from worldly authorities.
Three Lessons from Ibrahim’s Struggle
Husna outlined three practical lessons from Ibrahim’s mission.
First, he said, truth must be defended through sound reasoning and evidence. He pointed to the Quranic account in which Ibrahim destroyed his people’s idols but left the largest one standing, forcing them to confront the illogical nature of their beliefs.
“In the post-truth era, we do not fight misinformation with more misinformation,” he said. “We respond with facts, evidence and valid reasoning.”
Second, he emphasized the importance of overcoming fear. When threatened with execution by fire, Ibrahim refused to abandon his convictions. Instead, he placed his trust entirely in God.
Third, Husna urged Muslims to promote justice according to their abilities. Those with authority, he said, should use their positions to uphold fairness rather than pursue personal interests. Others can contribute through speech, writing and responsible use of social media.
For those unable to act publicly, he added, rejecting wrongdoing in one’s heart and praying for positive change remain meaningful responses.
Concluding his sermon, Husna challenged worshippers to decide where they stand: with Ibrahim, who remained committed to truth despite pressure, or with those who sacrifice principles for personal gain and political favor.
He also alluded to a recent public debate over the legitimacy of sacrificial offerings funded through public tax revenues.
“The choice,” he said, “is ours to make.”
