The democratic celebration of the presidential and vice-presidential candidate selection has begun. This is marked by the release of the program and schedule of campaign activities for the election by the General Election Commission (KPU). The KPU Regulation number 15 of 2023 regarding the General Election Campaign, which started on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, and will continue until February 10, 2024.
This campaign program includes limited meetings, face-to-face encounters, distribution of campaign materials to the public, placement of campaign paraphernalia in public places, presidential and vice-presidential candidate debates, and social media. The hope is that during the campaign, the public will become aware of the work programs presented by each presidential and vice-presidential candidate.
It is not just about political promises, but realistic work programs that meet the needs of the people when the presidential and vice-presidential candidates win in the 2024 presidential election. We should not let this democratic celebration be tainted by the behavior of presidential and vice-presidential candidates that do not reflect statesmanship.
A presidential and vice-presidential candidate who will lead this country must engage in politics with a clean heart and stay away from oppressive behavior. In Arabic, “zalim” means placing something or a matter in the wrong place, or someone who cannot act justly. Because the opposite of “zalim” is “adil” or just.
In the 2024 presidential election, it is highly possible that there will be presidential and vice-presidential candidates who engage in oppressive or unjust politics. Politics that use power to win the 2024 presidential election.
We should not neglect the democratic way of life just because we are in power. We should not treat the people unfairly in order to maintain power. Violating the constitution and suppressing democracy is what we call using oppressive politics.
To counter the growing trend of oppressive politics in society, Nahdliyyin United leader Muhammad Rofi’i Mukhlis, or Gus Rofi’i, invites Nahdliyyin members to increase the recitation of Sholawat Asyghil.
Sholawat Asyghil was created by Imam Ja’far Ash-Shadiq during the persecution of the Ahlul Bayt, the descendants of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially during the leadership of Yazid bin Muawiyah. Ja’far Ash-Shadiq prayed for the wicked or oppressive people to fight among themselves. May the oppressive people quarrel with each other.
Since ancient times, Indonesian scholars have recommended that students and members of Nahdliyyin increase their recitation of Sholawat Asyghil. One prominent Islamic scholar who has a sanad (chain of transmission) for Sholawat Asyghil is KH. M. Anwar Mansyur, the head of Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School. He obtained the ijazah (authorization) for Sholawat Asyghil from KH. Abdul Abbas Buntet Cirebon. It is also frequently recited by KH. Abdullah Syafi’i, also known as Kiai Dullah, the founder and first head of the as-Syafi’iyah institution in Jakarta. It is also propagated by KH. Muhammad Syafii Hadzami, a native Betawi scholar.
The author has a teacher who always advises to continue reciting Sholawat Asyghil. Similarly, Gus Rofi’i, the leader of Nahdliyyin United, encourages Nahdliyyin members to increase their recitation of Sholawat Asyghil to counter the oppressive politics in the 2024 presidential election. Because the slander of evil people will become more rampant in the future. In critical situations like this, all Nahdliyyin members are encouraged to recite Sholawat Asyghil more frequently than usual.
The evidence for reciting Sholawat Asyghil includes the fact that reciting blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad SAW demonstrates love for him. Regarding the command and virtue of sending blessings, it is mentioned in the Quran, Surah Al Ahzab: 56.
“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.”
Once again, Nahdliyyin United invites Nahdliyyin members to regularly recite Sholawat Asyghil with the following lyrics:
“Allahumma shalli ‘alaa Sayyidinaa Muhammad.
Wa asyghilidh dhoolimiina bidh-dhoolimiin.
Wa akhrijnaa min baynihim saalimiin
Wa ‘alaa aalihi wa shohbihii ajma’iin.”
Meaning: “O Allah, bestow blessings upon our leader, Prophet Muhammad, and occupy the oppressors with their own oppression. Safely remove us from among them, and bestow blessings upon his family and all of his companions.”
The benefits and virtues of reciting Sholawat Asyghil can be explained as follows:
- Allah forgives sins: It is narrated that whoever sends blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad once, Allah will send blessings upon them tenfold and erase ten of their sins.
- Elevated status: Similarly, it is mentioned that whoever sends blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad once, Allah will send blessings upon them tenfold, erase ten of their sins, and elevate their status by ten degrees.
- Loved by the Prophet Muhammad: The Prophet Muhammad himself stated that the person who sends the most blessings upon him will be closest to him on the Day of Judgment.
- Avoiding speaking ill of others: Reciting Sholawat Asyghil can help individuals refrain from speaking negatively about others.
- Seeking Allah’s assistance: By reciting Sholawat Asyghil, one can seek the help and support of Allah in various matters.
May the recitation of Sholawat Asyghil in abundance lead to a successful and smooth presidential election in 2024. Those who engage in oppressive politics will face opposition from those who stand against oppression. Meanwhile, the fair presidential and vice-presidential candidates who do not engage in oppressive politics will emerge as the winners.
Nurul Azizah, the author of the book “Muslimat NU Militan Untuk NKRI.
