MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Isra Mi’raj should not be reduced to a ceremonial observance detached from its deeper meaning, Haedar Nashir, President of Muhammadiyah, said on Friday (16/01). Instead, he urged Muslims to translate the spiritual message of the journey of Prophet Muhammad PBUH into personal piety and ethical conduct in public life.
Speaking during a reflection marking Isra Mi’raj 1447 Hijri, Haedar emphasized that the event tests faith, devotion, and tawheed. Because Isra Mi’raj lies beyond ordinary human reasoning, he said, it challenges believers to reaffirm their trust in God.
Therefore, he added, the commemoration should strengthen the relationship between humans and the divine. At the same time, it should deepen faith and moral awareness among citizens and national leaders alike. From that spiritual grounding, he argued, a sense of righteousness can emerge.
Haedar noted that personal piety serves as a moral safeguard. It can restrain impulses toward corruption, abuse of power, cruelty, and indecent behavior. “Faith and devotion must become clear boundaries,” he said. “They define what we must not do.”
Moreover, he highlighted the importance of muraqabah, a spiritual awareness that one lives under constant divine observation. When this awareness takes root, he said, destructive behavior loses its appeal. Consequently, both leaders and ordinary citizens may act with greater responsibility.
A Call for Authentic Role Models in Public and Religious Life
Beyond personal ethics, Haedar urged Indonesians to reflect on the Prophet’s example. Today, he said, society suffers from a lack of authentic role models, including among political leaders and religious elites.
“Let Isra Mi’raj remind us to continuously embody genuine moral examples,” he said. Leaders, he added, must speak and act with care so that citizens can regain trust and respect. Without such conduct, leadership loses its moral authority.
Likewise, religious figures must align their teachings with their actions. When words and deeds diverge, Haedar warned, public confidence erodes. As a result, religion itself risks losing its credibility.
Ultimately, he said, the nation needs figures who can serve as moral oases amid widespread ethical fatigue. By returning to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH as a benchmark, leaders at every level can help restore integrity in both private devotion and public life.
Translator: Bintang Adrian
