Corona Virus and Infidel Squares

The outbreak of the Corona virus throughout the world which until now in Indonesia alone has claimed more than 700 human lives has caused deep concern for all levels of global society because this epidemic indiscriminately based on race, ethnicity, religion and nationality. This catastrophe not only had a direct impact on aspects of people's lives in the health sector, but also in socio-religious aspects. One example of the affected socio-religious aspect is the occurrence of a Friday preacher in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, polished by the community on April 3 because it has disturbed the community. The preacher in his sermon said that someone would be an infidel if they did not perform Friday prayers three times in a row.

The statement that it is based on their understanding of the hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wasallam which reads as follows:

من ترك الجمعة ثلاث مرات تهاونا بها طبع الله على قلبه

means, "Who leaves the Friday prayers three times because of underestimating it, Allah closes his heart," (HR at- Turmudzi, At-Thfiahi, Ad-Daruquthni). The hadith is certainly not wrong, but understanding of it by the preacher was problematic because he could not see that the Corona virus outbreak which proved to be very dangerous was sufficient reason for Shariah to not carry out Friday prayers at the mosque as appealed by the umara and leading scholars from the national level up to the international level and instead the people are encouraged to pray dzuhur in their homes. With this problematic understanding, the preacher in his sermon may intend to insinuate while warning Muslims around the mosque who do not pray Friday up to three times so that they can immediately return to their normal practices. Indeed, in the field the appeal of the umara and ulama above was not responded to singly by the caretakers of the mosque. There are those who continue to hold Friday prayers, and there are those who take the day off. It is not uncommon to create a sarcastic attitude among the worshipers of their respective mosques.

Of course, the satire is very disturbing to the people who hear it because they do not want to be disbelieved just like that. Are not they not carrying out the Friday prayer was motivated by his intention to comply with the call of the umara and ulama such as those who are members of the PBNU, MUI, Muhammadiyah, DMI, and scholars who are members of the Haiah Kibaril Ulama al-Azhar (Al-Azhar Ulama Association) Cairo Egypt ? Fortunately the preacher then realized his mistake in the police station and apologized to Muslims in Central Lombok so that he was finally released. This event should be a joint lesson that the above hadith of the Messenger of Allah should not be conveyed to the public in a haphazard manner without an explanation based on a correct understanding of the parties who have no doubt about their wisdom and diversion, namely credible scholars. Especially in the current situation of politicizing the hadith above for certain interests and for a moment is certainly not very wise because this will only complicate the atmosphere of reticence in society which is precisely needed to strengthen their resilience in the fight against Corona virus form which is very small but the effects are very shocking great for all aspects of human life. 6 Times No Friday Prayers = Unbelievers Squared? So far it has been six times Friday that I have not prayed Friday at the mosque because I wanted to obey the calls of credible scholars and umara so that Muslims will temporarily not be Friday, especially for areas that have been declared the Corona virus red zone by the authorities such as Solo and its surroundings .

Until last Friday I was still strong in my heart to return to the mosque to perform Friday prayers. Five absences from Jumatan at the mosque is enough to make this heart yearn for the house of God. But once again I still want to continue to obey the calls of the umara and the scholars because the situation in Solo there is no evidence that the Corona virus pandemic has subsided. In fact, the number of positive Corona patients continues to increase and the number of people who die also increases. Especially on Friday reported in an online media that two people under the age of 10 tested positive for the Corona virus. This means that the Corona virus is no longer in view of a person's age. So far, the positive people infected with this virus are those who are old to old. With this cruelty the public is demanded to be more careful by complying with health protocols by practicing social distancing and implementing a healthy lifestyle regardless of age.

As I alluded to above that so far six times Friday I have not prayed Friday at the mosque. Instead I pray Dhuhur in congregation at home with the children and the bojo. Assuming the preacher as mentioned above there has been no change in understanding the hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wasallam above in relation to the Corona virus outbreak, surely in his view I and my children who are both male infidels are squares. Na'udzubilahi min dzalik.

Muhammad Ishom, lecturer in the Islamic Faculty of Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) Surakarta.

Source: https://www.nu.or.id