MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MALANG – Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Saad Ibrahim highlighted one of the challenges of Muhammadiyah as a progressive movement. Muhammadiyah needs to strive for a level of advancement that surpasses the existing modernity. However, he stressed that building an advanced civilization should be based on science, which should always be informed by the holy verses of the Quran.
Kiai Saad pointed out that the Quran itself foreshadows progress and that the Prophet Muhammad embodied this concept in his actions. He argued that as an organization following the Prophet’s teachings, Muhammadiyah has a duty to carry the torch forward and build a flourishing Islamic civilization.
“Islam is inherently progressive, even remarkably so. Even scientific concepts are hinted at in many places. For example, the big bang theory is mentioned in Surah Al Anbya verse 30,” said Saad at the Darul Arqom program for Top Managers of the Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah higher education institutions on Thursday (June 27) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Although the information in the Qur’an has preceded modern science, according to Kiai Saad Ibrahim, it is necessary to carry out scientific verification. He encouraged Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah higher education institutions to take on the responsibility of contributing to the advancement of civilization, with the goal of creating a future Islamic civilization that is distinguished by its progress, modernity, and brilliance.
Kiai Saad pointed to the integration of knowledge within Muhammadiyah as a tract established by Kiai Ahmad Dahlan even before the founding of the organization. This principle was exemplified by the establishment of the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Diniyah Al Islamiyah in 1911, which incorporated general subjects into its curriculum.
Kiai Saad called for these founding principles to be preserved and carried forward by Muhammadiyah educational institutions, both now and in the future. He cautioned against stagnation, urging Muhammadiyah to stay ahead of the curve in terms of progress. In other words, Muhammadiyah should not have been advanced in a less progressive era and then fall behind in a more advanced era.
Through this Baitul Arqam activity, Kiai Saad expressed his hope that more and more people would come to understand the importance of upholding the verses of Allah, serving Islam, and contributing to the betterment of the community, nation, and all humanity through Muhammadiyah.
