MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Haedar Nashir, President of Muhammadiyah, has stated that the organization has been proactive in addressing cultural issues and dynamics, including those related to tradition.
Haedar was referring to the Muhammadiyah’s official “Dakwah Kultural” (Cultural Da’wa) concept, which was adopted at the 2002 Denpasar Tanwir (conference). He argued that the concept does not legitimize practices that contradict Muhammadiyah’s religious ideology, including those that involve syirk (polytheism), bid’ah (innovation), and khurafat (superstition).
“Muhammadiyah da’wa concepts and approaches, including the cultural da’wa, are comprehensive and address all aspects of da’wa work,” said Haedar at the opening of the Muhammadiyah Ramadan Preaching Series on Thursday (March 14). He stressed the importance of placing tradition, art, culture, and civilization in their proper perspective and understanding them deeply and positively.
Haedar also highlighted the need to view religious traditions objectively and proportionally, without automatically labeling them as innovation. He cited the example of the Muslim practice of visiting graves, which he said can be done for different reasons. Some people visit graves to pray to the deceased, while others do so to pay their respects or to learn about the history of the people buried there.
“It is important to understand the motives and behavior behind a tradition before judging it as bid’ah,” argued Haedar. He warned against developing an anti-tradition mindset, as some traditions are actually sanctioned by the Prophet Muhammad.
Haedar also stressed the importance of understanding Islam’s purification concept correctly. He said that purification should not lead to an anti-Sunnah attitude, as some traditions that are considered innovative are actually sanctioned by the Prophet.
Haedar concluded by stating that Muhammadiyah approach to understanding art, culture, and civilization, especially those related to religion, is based on social sciences and qualitative-emic perspectives. This approach involves looking at the deeper meanings and contexts of cultural practices.
“Muhammadiyah purification approach should be accompanied by a comprehensive and dynamic understanding of Islam. This approach should be based on the bayani (textual), burhani (rational), and irfani (mystical) dimensions of Islam. This will prevent a narrow and rigid understanding of Islam and promote a progressive Islam that contributes to the advancement of civilization,” said Haedar.
