Habib Ali Al-Jufri: The Truth is One, But There Are Many Ways to Get There

 

Habib Ali Al-Jufri: The Truth is One, But There Are Many Ways to Get There

Habib Ali Zainal Abidin Al-Jufri mentions tajdid or efforts to reform and refresh Islamic law to answer the problems and challenges of the times, the law is Fardhu Kifayah. This was conveyed in the seminar "Islamic Studies: Between Conservative (Traditional) and Innovative (Modern)" which was held at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta on Tuesday (23/8).

Because the law is Fardhu Kifayah, according to Habib Ali Al-Jufri, there must be scholars who carry out tajdid in every era. And, if no one does it, then all scholars are considered sinners.

"If no one reforms, then each of us (ulama) are sinners," he explained.

This statement is not without reason. Because, the problems and challenges faced by Muslims continue to grow from time to time. Therefore, there must be scholars who carry out reforms. So that Islamic law can always answer various problems according to actual conditions.

However, Habib Ali Al-Jufri underlined that tajdid is only limited to shari'ah issues ( masa`il as-syar'iyyah ) which are based on non-standard arguments ( al-mutaghayyirat ). As for those based on a standard argument ( ats-tsawabit ), then tajdid does not apply in it. Like the number of raka'at prayers that have been determined, and the like.

“Is that a non-standard argument? That is a text that contains many possible understandings," he explained.

For example, Habib Ali Al-Jufri recited a famous hadith about the story of different companions in understanding the following words of the Prophet SAW.

لاَ يُصَلِّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ اْلعَصْرَ إِلَّا فِيْ بَنِيْ قُرَيْضَةَ

Let none of you pray Asr except in the village of Bani Qurayzah .

As is well known, there was ikhtilaf between friends. Some remained adamant about not praying Asr until they arrived at the Banu Quraizhah village . Others choose to pray in the middle of the journey because they are afraid that Maghrib time will come before they arrive at their destination.

According to Habib Ali Al-Jufri, there is one important point from the incident. That is, that the Messenger of Allah not only accepted the two different understandings of the Companions, but also did not confirm either of the two opinions.

"And I remind here that there is only one truth, but there are many ways to get there," he stressed.

A brief but profound statement. Everyone wants to find and reach for the truth. However, it could be a different path taken, and this is very reasonable. Therefore, as long as the goal to be achieved is the same, do not limit that truth can only be achieved through certain paths.

Another lesson that can be taken is that in an effort to dialogue a limited text with an unlimited context, it is very possible that there will be differences in understanding the text. As long as it is not a matter based on standard arguments, then tajdid may and may even be done. So that Islam has always been shalihun li kulli era wa eating . Islam is always relevant and penetrates the boundaries of space and time. Wallahu a'lam .