Mbah Liem, the eccentric Kiai of the Indonesian Guard

 

Mbah Liem, the eccentric Kiai of the Indonesian Guard

The figure of this kiai is currently rare, he teaches how the struggle and Islamic da'wah is lived with passion and sincerity. Mbah Liem is a hidden guardian figure, he lives in complete simplicity. Profile Mbah Liem is a kiai figure who is in harmony with the wong cilik, with farmers on the slopes of Merapi. Mbah Liem preached a calm Islam, a friendly Islam to all God's creatures, an Islam that brings peace. Mbah Liem, the figure of the kiai guarding the Republic of Indonesia.

The author knows him in stories that are often heard from Kiai Abdullah Zein Salam, his close friend who is a pillar of the ulama in Kajen, Pati, Central Java. Mbah Liem and Mbah Dullah, two figures who are always close and connected, both often talk in silence, often talk in silence.

Mbah Liem is an eccentric kiai, who has become the spiritual teacher of many national political elites. Mbah Liem is a reference. During his life, Mbah Liem was known as a kiai who always spread love, peace and guard the integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia. He always echoed the love for the homeland, without leaving his concern for the future of Islam.

There are not many historical sources regarding Mbah Liem's ​​date of birth. According to recorded information, Mbah Liem was born in the Kartasura Palace, but chose to leave the palace fort. Mbah Liem wants to be present in the community by serving and nurturing students.

Mbah Liem is the favorite student of Kiai Sirodj, a major kiai who cares for the Pajang Kartosuro Islamic boarding school. Mbah Liem stayed under the tutelage of Kiai Sirodj until 1953. After studying the Koran at a pesantren, Mbah Liem became a civil servant at PJKA Jatinegara. Feeling uneasy, Mbah Liem left PJKA, resigned as a civil servant, to explore the nature of knowledge. Mbah Liem traveled from pesantren to pesantren, taking the Koran to several kiai to quench his spiritual thirst. In 1959, Mbah Liem was in the hamlet of Sumberejo, Troso, Karanganom, Klaten. In this place, he later settled and founded a boarding school. Mbah Sirodj, Mbah Liem's ​​teacher, once said: "Here, your goal will be achieved". Diligently, Mbah Liem invites residents and guides students in the Sumberejo Troso area.

During the 1965 tragedy, Mbah Lim founded the Indonesian Waliullah Action Unit (KAWI). At that time, several organizations emerged that aimed to protect the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia from the onslaught of rivalries and ideological struggles. Various youth and citizen organizations have sprung up, such as the Indonesian Student Action Unit (KAPI), the Indonesian Student Action Union (KAMI), the Indonesian Graduate Action Unit) and several other youth organizations. Mbah Lim built a struggle front by mobilizing the santri and kiai in the area, who were members of KAWI.

At that time, there was an ideological struggle between groups. Communist-leaning activists pushed for control of the country. The events of September 30, 1965 became a historical record. However, until now this event is still a dark record in Indonesian history. However, what is clear is that the resistance of the santri to the assassination attempt by PKI activists turned around. In East Java and Central Java, students and communist activists were equally victims, thousands of lives were lost.

In 1967, Mbah Lim founded the al-Muttaqien Pancasila Sakti Islamic Boarding School, in Sumberejo Wangi, Troso Village, Karanganom District, Klaten. Mbah Lim and his wife, Nyai Hj Umm As'adah, were persistent in preaching to invite people to understand the nature of Islam as a polite religion.

When teaching students, Mbah Lim always fosters a sense of love for the homeland. The phrase hubbul wathan minaliman (love for the homeland is part of faith)—which became the creed of the kiai's national struggle, became the moral support for the students at the al-Muttaqien Pancasila Sakti Islamic boarding school.

Quirky Kiai, Hidden Guardian

Mbah Liem is known as a unique and quirky kiai. His appearance is very simple, and often wears strange clothes. In public, Mbah Liem often wears an army uniform, wears a vest, or wears a hat. In fact, when giving recitations, Mbah Liem often wears a hat and army uniform, which makes people who don't know him well.

The author had the opportunity to kiss Mbah Liem's ​​hand when he invited him to a recitation agenda around 2007. At that time, the writer together with Bang Anis Sholeh Baasyin held an agenda to campaign for messages of peace for young people, in the town square of Pati. Mbah Liem came as a speaker, who firmly stated the importance of maintaining unity and love for the homeland.

Even though Mbah Liem had to be assisted by a shorthand student (student assistant) who explained his soft and unclear expressions, Mbah Liem was still enthusiastic about giving moral advice to thousands of residents who wanted to hear and take blessings. Mbah Liem is an eccentric figure, at the same time always bringing surprises.

Spiritual Wave

Mbah Liem is known as a spiritual advisor to Subhan ZE, an NU activist who played a central role in 1965. Mbah Liem was also very close to Gus Dur, and became an adviser to Megawati Soekarnoputri. Mbah Liem's ​​charisma and his sincerity in helping the people, made him a pivot for people who are looking for answers to all their worries.

It is said that in 1983, Gus Dur went to Mbah Liem in Klaten. At that time, Gus Dur was not allowed to enter the house, but only outside the house. There was a small dialogue between Mbah Liem and Gus Dur:

"Oh, Gus, why are you drinking, rene. This is a Friday night shelf. Come on, don't carry. Not cranky. I don't remember seeing Mbahmu Hasyim Asy'ari (Why Gus, why are you here. It's Friday night. Come on, I'll carry you, I'll take you to the grave of your simbah Hasyim Asy'ari)," said Mbah Lim.

"Kulo mundut driver Riyen, mbah (I'll call the driver first, Mbah," said Gus Dur.

A moment later, that night, Gus Dur and Mbah Liem left for Jombang. The two of them arrived at the tomb complex of the founder of the Tebu Ireng Islamic Boarding School at around 3 o'clock in the morning. In the middle of the pilgrimage, Mbah Liem advised Gus Dur.

"Gus.

"Nopo kulo is shocked, sis? (Can I do it, Mbah?),” ​​asked Gus Dur.

“Kudu iso, NU kuwi is being approached by your mbah Hasyim dienggo opo, ngarep opo and kanggo sopo? Yo kuwi dalane to manage the country (You have to be able to! Your grandfather Hasyim founded NU, for what, for what purpose and for whom? Yes, it is nothing but a way to regulate the country!)” said Mbah Liem.

In front of Mbah Liem, Gus Dur could not hold back the tears, so they fell down his cheeks. Gus Dur bowed his head after receiving the advice of Mbah Liem, a figure he highly respected. Later, Mbah Liem's ​​words were proven, when Gus Dur became president of the Republic of Indonesia. October 20, 1999, Gus Dur was sworn in as president of this country.

Mbah Liem is a kiai figure who transcends the desires of the world, transcends all emotions and anger. Mbah Liem offers coolness and peace with everything you have. Mbah Liem takes care of the unity of mankind, by continuing to campaign for the values ​​of nationalism, so that this nation remains united in the bonds of brotherhood.

A sign that reads “Joglo for the Peace of Humanity in the World” stands firmly behind the pesantren. The red and white board is attached to the fence of the tomb complex, which is in the area of ​​the al-Muttaqien Pancasila Sakti Islamic Boarding School. On the board was written a beautiful advice: "Even though they have different religions, they are fellow servants of Allah, fellow children and grandchildren of Prophetullah Adam AS, and fellow residents of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia Pancasila." Under the text, the date is 12 Maulid 1428 H/March 30, 2007, at 16.17 WIB, which is signed by Mbah Liem, KH. Muslim Rifa'i Icaparo.

Near the board, stands a peace joglo. This building is Mbah Liem's ​​idea to remember mankind to always be in harmony and peace. Mbah Liem is indeed known as a kiai who protects, activists of the people who are always obedient, and scholars who carry messages of love.

Mbah Liem is also a kiai who loves his homeland, has a deep sense of nationalism. The symbol of Mbah Liem's ​​nationalism, can be seen when he willed that his grave be decorated with red and white, which is none other than the color of the Indonesian heritage flag.

Yayuk Madayani, Mbah Liem's ​​son-in-law, revealed that the figure of the Kiai who is the caretaker of the al-Muttaqien Islamic boarding school is very unique. "Mother is unique. He always gave handwritten orders complete with the day, date, and time as well as his signature. Some are on HVS paper, some are on grenjeng paper, former cigarette packs. We keep everything, the plan will be collected to commemorate Mbah's struggle, "said Yayuk, as quoted by Solopos, August 6, 2015.

Mbah Liem died on May 24, 2012, at the age of 91 years. He was buried in the Peace Joglo, the building he built to remind the importance of human sanity, the importance of love among God's fellow creatures on earth. Alfaatihah