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Chief Justice Anwar Usman delivering a sermon in a virtual kajian (Islamic learning forum) hosted by Bank Indonesia (BI), Monday (5/10) from the Constitutional Court.Photo by Humas MK/Gani.

JAKARTA, Public Relations of the Constitutional Court—Chief Justice Anwar Usman delivered a sermon on “Leadership According to Islam and the Constitution” in a virtual kajian (Islamic learning forum) hosted by Bank Indonesia (BI) on Monday afternoon, October 5, 2020 from his office at the 15^th floor of the Constitutional Court building. “As we know, the teachings of Islam were revealed as a blessing to the universe. Therefore, as Muslims we have a responsibility to practice the teachings of Islam to the best of our abilities,” he said at the event attended by Governor of BI Perry Warjiyo, as well as deputy governors, officials, and staff members of BI.

He said that Muslims are a reflection of the teachings of Islam. If Muslims practice them incorrectly, non-Muslims could have the wrong perception on Islam. He said that the best role model was Prophet Muhammad SAW. “Prophet Muhammad SAW proclaimed that he was sent to complete noble characters. This is apt for [this program]. Aside from building work ethos building behavior, morals as expected by the Prophet is far more important,” he said.

He said that the Prophet led mankind to blessings and revelations. Before he was born, the world had been rife with chaos and abominations that degraded mankind’s dignity to the lowest point. The Prophet brought about social, faith, and state political changes to mankind. “

“Socially, injustices occurred in the jahiliyyah [the period before the advent of Islam]. The people were categorized based on class and race. Slavery was commonplace. People were trafficked like objects that didn’t have the right to life and want. Today countries are opposed to and condemned human trafficking and slavery. Prophet Muhammad SAW was against human trafficking and slavery. All humans are equal before Allah SWT. The only thing that sets them apart is their faith,” Justice Anwar stressed.

He also said that Prophet Muhammad SAW also revolutionized faith. In the jahiliyyah, people worshipped statutes and other inanimate objects. The Prophet proclaimed that those objects didn’t give any benefit to mankind. Only Allah SWT is to be worshiped and deified.

State Politics 

Prophet Muhammad SAW also revolutionized state politics. In the jahiliyyah, truth and justice had been hard to come by because there was no law. Everything was measured only by power.

"So, at the time of Rasulullah SAW, all decisions referred to the Qur’an and deliberation if there was different opinions. Then, rulers no longer oppressed the weak. People had equal rights before the nation and state, although there were differences of opinion. They lived with tolerance, respect for each other, helping each other, respecting the differences in beliefs between religious people," the chief justice said. 

Today, the national leadership is regulated by the Constitution for a five-year term with one reelection in the same position through general elections. The interpretation to such a leadership is singular.

"Each country has the right to determine the shape of their country. Even Islamic countries don’t have a unified state form and system. However, the most important thing in determining the form and system in Islamic countries is that it doesn’t go against Islamic law as the main tenet of Muslims. The most important thing in state life is prosperity and peace for all mankind and the whole world. Mankind was sent down to earth as a caliph to take care of and manage all creatures created by Allah SWT. Therefore, let us emulate the leadership of Rasullullah SAW so that our job as leaders on earth, or as servants of the country, servants of the community, can be carried out as best as possible," Justice Anwar concluded. 

Writer: Nano Tresna Arfana
Editor: Lulu Anjarsari
Translator: Yuniar Widiastuti (NL)

Translation uploaded on 10/13/2020 12:24 WIB

Disclaimer: The original version of the news is in Indonesian. In case of any differences between the English and the Indonesian version, the Indonesian version will prevail.

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