Recite to Kiai Wahab Chasbullah

 

Recite to Kiai Wahab Chasbullah

Learning from Kiai Wahab Chasbullah is learning about the spirit of the national movement that never fades. Kiai Wahab or Mbah Wahab, who was born on March 31, 1888, is one of the important figures in Indonesian historiography, pesantren and NU. His role in strengthening Indonesian Islamic values ​​and upholding the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia cannot be forgotten. On the momentum of Nahdlatul Ulama's Birthday, on 16 Rajab, the figure of Kiai Wahab needs to be contemplated as an inspiration.

The movement of Kiai Wahab's struggle becomes an afterthought in the midst of the challenges of Islam in this country, and the international context. The challenge of the relation between Islam and nationality has become a dynamic issue in global discourse. The emergence of religious radicalism, such as ISIS ( Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ) and the al-Qaeda network, is a challenge for Muslims to have a dialogue with the concept of state and nationality. Moreover, the development of Islam in Asia and the Middle East cannot be separated from ethnic and cross-ideological dynamics. For this reason, reflecting on the footsteps of Mbah Wahab Chasbullah on the momentum of Nahdlatul Ulama's birthday, is certainly a valuable inspiration.

The gait of warrior kiai from pesantren is not much written in Indonesian historiography. Of course, the politics of knowledge is the main instrument for analyzing the marginalized role of kiai and pesantren leaders in fighting for Indonesian independence.

In the nineteenth century, santri became the front line in the Java War (1825-1830), which was commanded by Prince Dipanegara. The Laskars led by Kiai Maja, Kiai Hasan Besari and Sentot Ali Basya, harmonized the Dipanegara resistance movement in addition to the knight army that was Prince Sastradilaga. The struggle of the santri is not written much in the politics of memory, instead it is drowned out as myths and illusions.

During the revolution, the santri-kiai network played an important role in fighting for independence and against colonial soldiers. The call for the fatwa of Jihad Kiai Hasyim Asy'arie (1871-1947) moved thousands of students to fight together in November 1945 in Surabaya and the Palagan Ambarawa incident, Semarang (Bizawie, 2013). Once again, the historical role of the santri is excluded from modern Indonesian historical texts.

Kiai Wahab's National Gait

Kiai Wahab Chasbullah is an important figure in the journey of the pesantren to uphold Indonesia. He, together with hadratus Shaykh Hasyim Asy'ari, became the vanguard in the formation of a network of pesantren after the Java War (1825-1830) led by Prince Dipanegara, which became the network for the birth of Nahdlatul Ulama.

This kiai, who was born in 1888, in Tambakberas, Jombang, is a genuine santri with an active spirit, never standing still looking at the faces of the Indonesian people who are crushed by the colonial power. He was also unwilling to see the santri community humiliated by the colonial regime and the feudal traditions of this country's priyayi elite. Kiai Wahab Chasbullah led NU after the death of Hadratus Syeikh Hasyim Asy'arie, in 1947. Kiai Wahab led NU until 1971. The span of about 23 years has certainly been a long journey for Kiai Wahab to lead NU, despite his work at a young age.

Kiai Wahab founded the Nahdlatul Wathan organization in 1916, to raise awareness of the Indonesian people. Then two years later, in 1918, he was with several national movement figures, such as Dr. Soetomo founded Tasywirul Afkar (thought movement), to strengthen the dynamics of national thought.

Then, to support the national movement and struggle, Kiai Wahab founded Nahdlatut Tujjar in 1918. This movement was intended to strengthen the economic foundation for the social-national movements that Kiai Wahab championed. Nahdlatut Tujjar was led directly by Kiai Hasyim Asy'arie, while Kiai Wahab was the secretary.

Thus, Kiai Wahab's movement strategy feels complete and balanced. He built national insight through Nahdlatul Wathan, supported by Tasywirul Afkar as the dynamics of thought. Furthermore, Nahdlatut Tujjar became the energy driver and supporter of the economic base for this social-national movement.

Archipelago Islamic Fort

Kiai Wahab Chasbullah was also a pioneer in fortifying Wahhabi expansion internationally. When the Wahhabi sect of Najed Arabs began to dominate Mecca in 1924 and Medina in 1925, Kiai Wahab moved to consolidate the network of pesantren in Indonesia to voice aspirations for a moderate and tolerant Islam in the style of ahlussunnah wal-jama'ah, which became the basis of the NU movement.

This consolidation movement was strengthened by the birth of NU on January 31, 1926, which then sent Kiai Wahab and Sheikh Ghonaim al-Misri to meet King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud. Kiai Wahab's diplomacy was then well received by King Abdul Aziz, so that the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad was not demolished, and the scholars from the four sects were released.

Kiai Wahab, thus not only engaged in the Islamic struggle in this country, he has played a role in international diplomatic networks. Kiai Wahab's role is what needs to be an inspiration in the momentum of Nahdlatul Ulama's Birthday. The role of Kiai Wahab with Kiai Hasyim Asy'arie, Kiai Bisri Syansuri, Kiai Wahid Hasyim, Kiai Saifuddin Zuhri and other ulama networks, is certainly an important note in the context and historiography of Islam Nusantara.

Kiai Wahab teaches us to be balanced and strong in managing the movement; by building a national spirit (through Nahdlatul Wathan), developing strategic ideas (Tasywirul Afkar) and strengthening the economic foundation as the energy of the movement (through Nahdlatut Tujjar). It is the spirit of Kiai Wahab, who should be the aspiration for the successors and leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama, now and in the future. Move with guts, develop strategic concepts and execute through totality and sincerity. Hopefully.