Ulama need to be close to the ruler, this is the reason for Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan

 

Ulama need to be close to the ruler, this is the reason for Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan

Most of us may still have negative views or stigma if there are ulama who are close to the authorities. The stigma may stem from the assumption that every ruler is dirty and very far from religious doctrines. This is exacerbated by the narrative that some scholars who approach the rulers are nothing but puppets who are looking for a stage by fawning over the rulers. Of course, this view is an exaggeration. If these two things continue to be clashed, of course there will be no common ground.

In fact, religion and power are two things that cannot be separated. The two of them have a very strong relationship. Borrowing Imam Al-Ghazali's term, these two things are twin brothers who cannot be separated.

   الدِّيْنُ الْمُلكُ انِ، الدِّيْنُ لٌ السُّلْطَانُ ارِسٌ، ا لَا لَ لَهُ ا لَا ارَسَ لَهُ فَضَائِعٌ

“Religion and state power are twin brothers. Religion is the foundation, while state power is the guardian. Something that has no foundation, will fall, while something that has no guardian, will be wasted.”

Therefore, among the scholars of the Salaf since ancient times there are also many who are known to be close to the authorities. One of the scholars who interacted with the authorities was Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan, one of the muftis of Syafi'iyyah in 19th century Mecca. He was the professor of many Indonesian scholars, such as Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani, Sheikh Abdul Hamid Kudus, KH Kholil Bangkalan, KH Sholeh Darat, KH Sholeh Langitan and a number of other great scholars. By lineage, Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan is still connected with Sheikh Abdul Qodir al-Jailani and Sayyidina Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib.

Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan has a high position among the scholars of the Haram land of Mecca. It is very calculated. He has many honorary titles. He also has many works of books in various scientific disciplines which are still being studied, even at the end of his life he is still very productive. Every day no less than five pages of the book he always wrote on the sidelines of his activities.

Besides being busy teaching at the Grand Mosque and continuing to write books. Sheikh Ahmad Zaini Dahlan was also very concerned about education among the rulers. Attention to this ruler began when the teachers of several Nusantara scholars received orders and orders from their teachers, namely Sayyid Uthman bin Hasan ad-Dimyathi al-Azhari.

The teacher ordered him to pay attention and enter the ruling circle at that time. Sayyid Uthman ordered that he always accompany the rulers in order to spread knowledge among them, as well as provide signs that must be observed by them so as not to cross the boundaries that have been regulated by the Shari'a. In detail, Sayyid Uthman's message was recorded by Sayyid Abu Bakar Syatho in the book Nafhat al-Rahman fi Ba'dzi Manqib Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan :

العِلْمُ فِى كُلِّ الناَّسِ حَسَنٌ, وَلَكِنَّهُ فِى الْأُمَرَاءِ وَالرُّؤَسَاءِ أَحْسَنُ. لِأَنَّهُمْ إِذَا صَلَحُوا صَلَحَتْ الرَّعِيَّةُ. وَصَلَاحُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يَكُوْنُ بِالْعِلْمِ وَالرِّوَايَةِ. وَبِهِ يَعْرِفُوْنَ رَتْبَةَ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ سَائِرِ الْعِبَادِ فَيُعِيْنُوْنَهُمْ عَلَى مَا أَرَادُوا مِنْ نَشْرِ العِلْمِ وَرَدْعِ الْفَسَادِ

"Knowledge for most humans will make humans good. Whereas knowledge if it is owned by a ruler will be much better. Because if the rulers are good then the people will also be good. And the goodness of the rulers must be based on knowledge and history. With the basis of knowledge they will understand the position of an ahlul ilmi and scholars among all humans. That way the rulers will participate in helping the missions of the scholars to spread knowledge and suppress corruption."

Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan also sincerely carried out his teacher's orders. With the hope that the da'wah can reach a wider circle. Even Sayyid Ahmad did not budge with discordant voices that undermined his decision to maintain scientific relations with the authorities. He ignored all that.

There are so many people who look down on them, including some of their colleagues.  “How can a cleric enter the ruling circle, when it is clear that being close to the ruler is prohibited. Palace scholars are like thieves whose hands must also be cut off.”

In response to this, Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan took it easy. He argues that it is precisely the scholars who have a moral obligation to be close to the authorities. Close in the sense of giving the influence of da'wah to them, not to be influenced. Because according to him, scholars can indeed give lawful, unlawful, permissible or not in the perspective of sharia, but there is one area that can not be touched by scholars, and this area can only be run by the authorities. What's that? None other than making laws and regulations and supervising their implementation.

At this point, according to Sayyid Ahmad Zaini Dahlan, ulama cannot act like the rulers. If the government or rulers in each of their policies are influenced and motivated by the knowledge of the scholars, it is possible that the benefits and knowledge of the scholars will be more acceptable to the community. Vice versa. Imagine if it turned out that when making policies the rulers did not use the ulama as the basis. It could be that the fruit and results of the policy will be far from the Shari'a. And this of course is the responsibility of scholars.

Imam Ghazali's opinion was also quoted. According to Imam al-Ghazali, if the purpose of entering the circle of power is to cause harm to the Muslims, then this is clearly prohibited by religion. However, otherwise it is highly recommended:

إِذَا كَانَ يَسْتَعِيْنُ بِهِ عَلَى إِضْرَارِ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ وَ إِيثَارِ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الدِّيْنِ. وَأَمَّا إِذَا كَانَ لِإِصْلَاحِ الْعِبَادِ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بِمَمْنُوْعٍ بَلْ هُوَ مُتَعَيَّنٌ عَلَى الْعُلَمَاءِ وَالزُّهَادِ.

“(The law of being close to the ruler is haraam) If the purpose of entering the ruling circle is to harm Muslims and pursue world power,. As for if the goal is to provide benefits to humans then it is not prohibited, in fact it can also be an obligation for a scholar and the zahid "

So even though Sayyid Ahmad bin Zaini Dahlan is known to be close to the authorities, but there is a big mission and goals to be achieved. Not just close or 'take advantage' of its position.

Thus should be our intention and purpose in establishing relations with the authorities, namely so that the community and the ulama have a role in the running of the government. On the other hand, the authorities are not arbitrarily in making norms and laws.

If the relationship between ulama and umara is intended and carried out well, it is not impossible that in the future a calm, prosperous and ethical society will be realized.