EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – The Muhammadiyah community is mourning the passing of Prof. Hamim Ilyas, Chairperson of the Council for Religious Opinion and Reform of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah, who passed away on Saturday (23/5) at 1:40 a.m. local time at RSA UGM Hospital in Yogyakarta.
President of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Haedar Nashir, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Prof. Hamim as a scholar of exceptional character and intellectual distinction.
“On behalf of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah and the entire Muhammadiyah family, we extend our deepest condolences on the passing of our brother, Prof. Hamim Ilyas. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un,” Haedar said during the funeral release ceremony on Saturday (23/5).
He described Prof. Hamim as a humble and quiet figure whose warmth and dignity left a lasting impression on those around him.
“He was simple and reserved, yet genuinely gracious. His ethics were remarkably noble, which is why we regard him as a person of profound stature and virtue. His scholarship was also widely recognized,” Haedar said.
A Legacy of Intellectual Renewal
Prof. Hamim Ilyas was one of Muhammadiyah’s leading intellectual figures. Throughout his career, he consistently advanced the movement’s vision of Progressive Islam.
Through his leadership in the council, he made significant contributions to strengthening Islamic legal reasoning, promoting ijtihad, and encouraging theological renewal that responded to contemporary challenges.
For Muhammadiyah, his passing marks not only the loss of a respected scholar but also the departure of an intellectual reformer who devoted his life to scholarship, religious outreach, and organizational service.
Haedar noted that Prof. Hamim’s theological thought, particularly his concept of Tauhid Rahamutiyah, will remain an important intellectual legacy within Muhammadiyah’s development of progressive Islamic thought.
The concept emphasizes divine mercy as the foundation of faith and calls for Islam to manifest in compassion, justice, and transformative action for humanity.
Enduring Deeds Beyond Death
During his remarks, Haedar recalled a well-known prophetic tradition about the three deeds that continue to benefit a person after death.
“When a human being dies, all their deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them,” he said.
He stressed that Prof. Hamim’s life embodied all three.
His scholarly contributions, his dedication to Islamic thought, and his service to Muhammadiyah have left a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
As Muhammadiyah bids farewell, Prof. Hamim Ilyas is remembered not only for his intellectual brilliance but also for the quiet nobility, humility, and compassion that defined his life. (bunga)
