Investing with Taste

 

Investing with Taste

Kyai is a civilization-oriented da'wah agent. The target of his da'wah is society as a social system, not just the number of individuals. Kyai also aims for transcendent achievements, which go beyond his own lifetime.

So he needs a solid stake in the middle of his preaching environment. Before working on the substance and operating the strategy, he must make an " investment " to embrace an established social acceptance , namely ensuring and maintaining the willingness of the community to accept his presence, then confirming his position as a plenary reference.

Even though at that time the village of Kemadu was not fully santri as it is now, the people had respect and disdain for Kyai Syahid who was still relatively young. One time, past midnight, he took Kusen, a student of his, to pay homage to a resident's house. Approaching the funeral home, seen from a distance many people congregate in the house. The closer they got, it was discovered that they were "leaning", staying up late gambling cards and other games.

Kyai Shahid suddenly turned around,

"Let's just go home," he said to Kusen.

"Not so, 'Yai?"

"No... they'll disband later."

"Why don't you get reprimanded at once?"

"If I tell them now, they'll be embarrassed, and then they won't want to see me again..."