GROUP ALWAYS APPEARS AHLUL FITNAH WAL JAMA'AH THAT SEEK THE INTEREST OF THE WORLD IN THE MESSAGE OF RELIGION

At the end of this era, we are required to always be vigilant. Because, there will be many people or groups who spread slander. This group is actually difficult to recognize but easy to understand. They, outwardly, appear to be pious people, diligent in worship, ascetic, sacrifice and seek the afterlife, but they are actually world worshipers by selling religion. 

This phenomenon has been informed by the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alaihi wasallam, a hadith narrated from Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu Anhu (died 678 AD in Jannatul Baqi' Medina), that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wassallam said:

يَخْرُجُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ رِجَالٌ يَخْتِلُوْنَ الدُّنْيَا بِالدِّينِ ..... 

"There will come out at the end of time some people who seek the world with their own practice...." (Narrated by Imam At-Tirmidhi Rahimahullah, died in 892 AD in Termez Uzbekistan). 

The hadith above shows the emergence of a group of people who reveal themselves as experts in worship, asceticism, and are gentle in their speech and fun by using religious symbolism. In fact, they are essentially seekers of world and power. The world is their biggest goal or to be their first god. 

Their outer condition, of course, is contrary to their inner condition. Their hearts crossed their mouths. They seek the world by doing the deeds of the hereafter. Human groups like this are the cause of slander in society. What is more slander than people who appear to be worshipers outwardly, or appear to be seekers of the hereafter in the eyes of people, but they are actually worldly worshipers? 

This hadith also indicates that the existence of this group of werewolves in society is the main reason for the fall of society into misleading slander. The slander was so dark and enormous that it made even those who most deserved to know the truth become confused in managing their affairs. 

The sacredness of religion, by them, is often used as a means of justification (justification) for their business or political interests. The lack of knowledge and the magnitude of lust, can encourage people to pawn their religion, for the sake of momentary interests. In the Qur'an, there are at least several warnings about selling Allah's verses, including:

وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ بِآيَاتِي ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً وَإِيَّايَ فَاتَّقُونِ

"Do not exchange My verses at low prices, and only to Me should you fear .." (QS. Al-Baqarah: 41). 

In the commentary book of Ibn Kathir it is explained, the meaning of ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً (low price) is the world and everything in it. Here's the full explanation:

God bless you

"It means, don't take the world, deliberately hide explanations, information, and don't spread useful knowledge to society, and obscure the truth. So that you can maintain your leadership position in a world that is cheap, lowly, and soon to perish. (Book of Interpretation of Ibn Kathir, 1/244). 

Indeed, based on several studies by hadith experts, this hadith, when viewed from all its narrations, includes weak hadiths (dha'if). However, each narrator corroborates the other. There are many Syawahid (strengthening) paths, so that their status rises above the weak. 

Apart from all that, the hadith above really indicates something that is not wanted by Muslims. But in fact, the Prophet's gesture is currently really happening in our society. In fact, this group that likes to sell their religion, does not hesitate, and is not even ashamed to show their movements in public. 

The term "selling religion" appears. The mode of selling this religion, is considered very neat, because it is wrapped in activities that appear to be Islamic, another term is syar'i. In fact, ridden by the interests of power and the interests behind it. Power, popularity, wealth, and women are the main goals. 

The lure of wealth, throne, women and world popularity has derailed many su' scholars. Among them there are those who masquerade as Muslim scientists or intellectuals, but in reality they are religious hawkers whose profession is to modify verses and hadith according to the demands and tastes of their great master. 

In the context of this "religious business" mode, religious people are a very exciting "market" and because of that the "religious capitalists" can take good advantage of (or manipulate), a cool term. These capitalists or religious traders, could be clerics, preachers, politicians, bureaucrats, academics, artists, journalists, businessmen, writers and many more. 

Whoever they are, whatever their profession, what is clear is that they make or use religion as or like "commodities" to gain worldly material, political and economic gains as well as popularity. This religious capitalist group seems to really understand and understand the factual context, that some religious people are like loyal and faithful consumers who can easily buy religious products, so that it is profitable for the traders and "middlemen" of this religion. 

Why is it so easy for the ummah to mobilize their religious emotions? Because some Muslims in Indonesia, especially the urban Islamic community, are "crazy" or "religious puberty", the business or sale of political Islam is peddled, campaigned for, and propagated by a number of Muslim elites (both elitepolitics and religion) and this Islamic mass organization is also selling well in Tanjung Kimpul. 

Many Muslims with great enthusiasm and innocence flock to buy various products of "political Islam" with the hope of course to get the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and as much reward as possible so that one day they can enter heaven. 

What is clear, like the model of economic capitalism, actors or sellers of political Islam do not need large capital to reap these benefits. They only need to capitalize on a number of verses from the Qur'an plus a number of hadiths and sayings (aqwal) of certain scholars, of course all of them (both verses, hadiths, and aqwal), have been sorted or sorted in such a way and adapted to the narrative, taste, agenda, and their interests. 

In the name of respecting and glorifying Islam and upholding the dignity of Muslims, they are also willing to humiliate, belittle, and ignore the citizenship rights of citizens, especially non-Muslims. 

This is where we really see that what they claim to be an action or movement of "Islamic politics and syar'i products" is very un-Islamic, because it is against the rules, morality, etiquette, prophetic ethics, and the norms of political decency, which are outlined in the The Qur'an and Prophetic Practicesas well as aqwal scholars. 

In fact, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has also warned Muslims, through his word (in QS. Ali Imran verses 199-200). That Muslims should not do what the people of the book are doing, namely selling religion at a cheap price. 

Groups who are fond of selling religion do humiliating things, such as making religion a tool to gain worldly profits. There are other characteristics, namely: if the syara' law conflicts with world law, then they (a group of "religious sycophants") are willing to change the law of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala so that it is in accordance with world law with arguments that appear to be Islamic. 

Another example, there are also those who were originally preachers or preachers whose process of appearing was through a kind of audience or search event. They suddenly became famous because of the opera scenarios of the media industry owners. The intention of preaching has shifted. His role in society is no longer as a guide for the people, but is already at the level of top celebrities; entertainer and become an exciting spectacle, where every time there is a gig there is a price bargain. The moment of Ramadan becomes a tantalizing field. These celebrity preachers see a great opportunity to make a profit. Because, at such times the television media is indeed competing to increase the rating of its advertisements with spiritual entertainment programs. And they will be the main characters. 

However, there are also those who have been designed by a certain group or institution from the start, so that these figures become the mascots of their product interests. With the provision of doctoral degrees, expert experts or ustadz, these figures very easily legalize what is unlawful and forbid what is lawful. Spreading slander, hostile to defenders of knowledge and constantly misleading people from the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, which has become his main job. Of course, with very tempting rewards and payments. 

There are so many ordinary people among Muslims, they don't have the tools (religious knowledge) at all to rectify other people's mistakes and mistakes. He even let it all go, he understands, because he himself did not have religious knowledge to admonish him. Especially if both are the perpetrators of evil and sin. He does not know what is wrong and what is right according to religion. A person like this claims to be a Muslim, but has never wanted to study religion and if he deliberately does not want to study religion is included in "selling verses at a cheap price", because he prefers the cheap one, namely his stupidity, ignorance of his religion and inability to admonish one another and give advice inassociation. 

If the scholars and honest people are confused about this phenomenon, then what about us lay people? 

Everyone must be aware and realize that the life of this world is a field of forging and testing (darul ibtila') for every servant who lives it. Each will get a test from Allah Subhanahu wata'ala according to the level of his faith. Sometimes in the form of badness and sometimes also in the form of goodness (enjoyment). Allah Subhanahu wata'ala says:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيَْا ُرَ

"Every soul shall taste death. We will test you with bad and good as a (true) trial, and only to Us will you be returned." (QS. Al-Anbiya ': 35)

As for those who are not given taufik and guidance by Allah Subhanahu wata'ala when the test comes, religion is at stake. Faith and Islam, which are the main capital in this life, are mortgaged for the sake of momentary pleasure. The Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam said:

بَادِرُوا بِالْأَعْمَالِ فِتَنًا كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِم،ِ يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ مُؤْمِنًا وَيُمْسِيْ كَافِرًا وَيُمْسِيْ مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا، يَبِيْعُ دِيْنَهُ بِعَرَضٍ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا

"Hurry up to do good deeds, (because there will be) tests like pieces of a dark night. (Because of the test) in the morning a person is in a state of faith and in the evening in a state of disbelief, in the afternoon in a state of faith and the next day in a state of disbelief. He sells his religion for something from (the glitter of) this world”. (Narrated by Imam Muslim Rahimahullah from the friend of Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu 'anhu)

The hadith above covers all the personalities of this ummah, both the poor and the rich. The poor sell their religion and pawn their faith, because they can't wait for the test of poverty they suffer. Quite a lot of examples of cases in our society. Sometimes with the promise of a position, sometimes with the provision of business capital or soft loans, sometimes with the provision of a house or place to live, sometimes with the distribution of groceries, sometimes even with just a few packs of instant noodles. 

As for the rich, he sells his religion and pawns his faith because of his arrogance and lust. He did not want to be grateful for the gift of Allah Subhanahu wata'ala given to him. In fact, he felt that it was all thanks to his intelligence and hard work. Let's remind you about the story of Qarun, a wealthy man from the Children of Israel (son of Prophet Musa's uncle 'alaihis salam) who pawned his religion and faith because of his arrogance and lust? 

How many of us meet experts in knowledge and worshipers who deviate from the straight path, they are eroded by the sweetness of the world, so they dare to sell their religion, it is really scary when we read the warning from the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, as he said:

عن أبي عبدالرحمن عبدالله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال حدثنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو الصادق المصدوق ” إن أحدكم يجمع خلقه في بطن أمه أربعين يوما نطفة ثم علقه مثل ذلك ثم يكون مضغة مثل ذلك , ثم يرسل إليه الملك فينفخ فيه الروح , ويؤمر بأربع كلمات : بكتب رزقه , وأجله , وعمله , وشقي أم سعيد . فوالله الذي لا إله غيره إن أحدكم ليعمل بعمل أهل الجنة حتى ما يكون بينه وبينها إلا ذراع فيسبق عليه الكتاب فيعمل بعمل أهل النار , وإن أحدكم ليعمل بعمل أهل النار حتى ما يكون بينه وبينها إلا ذراع فيسبق عليه الكتاب فيعمل بعمل أهل الجنة

From Abu 'Abdirrahman Abdullah bin Mas'ud radhiyallahu 'anhu (died 650 M in Jannatul Baqi' Medina), he said, that the Messenger of Allah had said, – and he was an honest and justified person: for 40 days in the form ofnutfah, then it becomes an 'alaqoh (clot of blood) for a while then becomes a mudhghoh (a lump of flesh) for a while, then an angel is sent to blow his soul on him and then he is ordered to write down 4 things: sustenance, death, charity and woe/happiness. So, for the sake of Allah, who has no deity but Him, there is someone among you who does the deeds of the experts in heaven so that there is no distance between himself and heaven but one cubit, then he is preceded by Allah's decree and then he does the deeds of the people in hell and he enters hell. There are those among you who do the deeds of the people of hell so that there is no longer any distance between themselves and hell except for one cubit. then he was preceded by Allah's decree and then he did the deeds of the experts of heaven and he entered heaven." (Narrated by Imam Bukhari Rahimahullah)

That's the picture, when someone does good deeds based on intentions not because of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, the deeds of the experts in heaven that he practices are only limited in the eyes of humans, even though the deeds of the experts in heaven are actually according to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, he has not practiced them yet. 

We are reminded of some of the messages of the Islamic scholars of his time "Really looking for food with drums and flutes is more to my liking than seeking the world under the guise of religion". (Imam Abu Ali Fudail bin Iyadh bin Mas'ud bin Bisyir AtTamimi Al-Yarbu'i Al-Khurasani or Imam Fudhail bin Iyadh Rahimahullah died 803 AD, Jannatul Ma'la Mecca)

"It's really very hard to prohibit money that is obtained from the results of pretending to be pious or defending religion even though it's just a guise."

(Al-Imamul Muhaqqiqin Wa Zubdatul Arifin Al-Quthub Abdul Wahab bin Ahmad bin Ali bin Ahmad bin Ali bin Muhammad bin Musa Asy-Sya'rani Al-Ansari Asy-Syafi'i Asy-Syadzili Al-Mishri or Imam Asy-Sya' rani Rahimahullah died 973 H / November 1565 AD in Egypt; Kitab Al-Anwar Al-Qudsiyah Fi Ma'rifatQawa'id Ash-Sufiyyah, page 34). 

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا keyword

"Our Lord, forgive our sins and our actions and set our stand, and help us against those who disbelieve." (QS. Ali-Imran: 147). 

رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا عَلَى رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُالْمِيعَاد

“Our Lord, indeed we hear those who call to faith, (namely): “You have faith in your Lord, so we also believe. O our Lord, forgive our sins and erase our mistakes, and leave us and those who are dutiful (righteous). O our Lord, give us what You have promised us through Your Messenger. And do not humiliate us on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, You have never broken a promise.” [QS. Ali-Imran : 193 - 194). 

O Lord

"Dear Allah! I ask You for firmness in this (religious) matter and a strong will in following the truth.” (Narrated by Imam Ath-Thabrani Rahimahullah). 

‎‏اللَّهُمَّ يا مُقَلِّبَ القُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلبَيْ على دِيْنِكَ،

"O Allah, the One who turns hearts, strengthen my heart on Your religion." (HR. Imam Ahmad bin Hambal Rahimahullah died in 855 AD in Jannatul Baqi' Medina). 

O Allah

"O Allah, strengthen me, make me a guide and guided (by you)." (Narrated by Imam Bukhari, Rahimahullah). 

Allah, the Most High, the Most Merciful

“O Allah, guide me and make me straight. O Allah, indeed I ask You for guidance and straightness." (Narrated by Imam Muslim, Rahimahullah)

O Lord

"O Allah, I really ask for guidance, piety, purity, (being kept away from things that are not lawful/bad), and sufficiency." (Narrated by Imam Muslim Rahimahullah; Imam At-Tirmidhi Rahimahullah died in 892 AD in Uzbekistan and Imam Ibn Majah Rahimahullah died in 887 AD in Qazwin, Iran). 

Wallahu A'lam.