MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MAKASSAR — Vice Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Regional Board (PWM) of Sulawesi Selatan, Dahlan Lama Bawa, portrayed Ahmad Dahlan as not only a religious scholar but also a visionary reformer who brought Islam closer to people, simple, grounded, and deeply responsive to their needs.
According to Dahlan Lama Bawa, Ahmad Dahlan’s spiritual strength came from his close relationship with Allah, reflected in his modest lifestyle and devotion. He preferred a small prayer house (langgar) over a grand mosque as his base for preaching. In those humble spaces, he prayed, reflected, and interpreted life through the lens of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Dahlan Lama Bawa emphasized that Muhammadiyah was not established in political areas or academic chambers, but in places filled with prayer and contemplation.
“Ahmad Dahlan began everything from a small prayer room, not from a position of power,” explained Dahlan Lama Bawa.
For Ahmad Dahlan, the Qur’an was not a lifeless text but a guide for action. This was evident in the founding of the Penolong Kesengsaraan Oemoem (PKO) hospital, which was inspired by Surah al-Ma’un. Acts such as caring for the sick, helping the poor, and providing education were not just charitable efforts, but practical expressions of Islamic values.
Indeed, his approach to preaching was inclusive and compassionate. He once taught violin to children as a way to build interest in learning Islam.
“Ahmad Dahlan did not scold, but he embraced. He taught Islam peacefully and warmly,” added Dahlan Lama Bawa.
Besides, his intellectual journey began in his youth, under the name Muhammad Darwis, learning from mosques, prayer houses, and Islamic schools (pesantren) in Yogyakarta. He eventually studied in Mecca, where he was influenced by reformist scholars such as Ahmad Khathib al-Minangkabawi, Muhammad Abduh, and Sayyid Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. These figures helped shape the foundation of his reformist vision, which led to the establishment of Muhammadiyah in 1912.
“His movement lifted people from the darkness of ignorance to a more enlightened and civilized society,” said Dahlan Lama Bawa.
Dahlan Lama Bawa also shared lesser-known stories about Ahmad Dahlan’s character such as his strong principles, personal sacrifices, and noble manners. On one occasion, Dahlan auctioned off his own belongings to pay Muhammadiyah teachers. The buyer later returned the items in support of Ahmad Dahlan’s mission.
When a group of beggars protested in front of his house, Ahmad Dahlan did not turn them away. Instead, he invited them inside and taught them to read Surah al-Ma’un.
“He repeated the surah up to 40 times, ensuring they not only understood but lived by its message,” said Dahlan Lama Bawa.
This sincerity and devotion continue to inspire Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah members today, many of whom serve in education and outreach without expecting any financial reward. Dahlan Lama Bawa noted that this spirit aligned with Imam al-Ghazali’s teaching that good deeds without sincerity are a body without a soul.
It is this spirit that has enabled Muhammadiyah to thrive for over a century, now with international branches in many countries.
“This success does not come from strategy alone, but from the blessing of a pure intention,” emphasized Dahlan Lama Bawa.
Concluding his talk, Dahlan Lama Bawa encouraged participants to emulate Ahmad Dahlan’s sincerity and reformist spirit. He expressed appreciation for those who sacrificed their time and even mobile data just to attend this long-running online religious study, which has surpassed 100 sessions.
“This is Ahmad Dahlan’s legacy, to struggle not for praise or power, but out of love for truth,” said Dahlan.
