Shaykh Rifa'i, the Cleric Who Silenced the Colonial

 

Shaykh Rifa'i, the Cleric Who Silenced the Colonial

Clerics opposed to colonialism were exiled and ostracized. The scholars who opposed the Dutch East Indies government were recorded in history. Among them, Sheikh Rifa'i or often called Kiai Rifa'i Kalisalak.

Kiai Rifa'i was born in the 18th century AD, in Tempuran Village, Kendal, Central Java. His father's name is Muhammad Marhum bin Abi Suja Wijaya (Raden Sukocito), his mother's name is Siti Rohmah.

Since childhood, Rifa'i studied religious sciences. He explored several Islamic boarding schools to study, deepening the classical sciences of religion. In 1835, when he was 30 years old, Shaykh Rifai went to Mecca to deepen his knowledge of Islam, as well as perform the pilgrimage. He studied with several sheikhs, namely: Shaykh Uthman and Shaykh Faqih Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz al-Jaysyi. He is also friends with several students who are studying in the holy land: Kiai Cholil Bangkalan and Shaykh Nawawi Banten.

After eight years in Makkah, Rifa'i continued to study in Egypt. In that country, he studied under Shaykh al-Barowi and Shaykh Ibrahim al-Bajuri, author of the book Fathul Qarib . Later, Shaykh Rifa'i decided to return to his homeland, fight for da'wah and teach the santri-santri.

Shaykh Rifa'i preached with three principles of struggle: first, the Dutch colonial government was an infidel, who often oppressed the people. Second, the traditional bureaucrats were Dutch stooges, similar to the infidels. Third, religious practice should not be mixed with ancestral beliefs.

Of course, the Dutch government was very angry with Shaykh Rifa'i's principles. Moreover, students and residents have started to follow Shaykh Rifa'i's call, especially in the Kendal, Batang, and surrounding areas. On May 15, 1859, Shaykh Rifa'i was arrested and then exiled to Ambon.

According to Abdul Jamil's Research ( Thoughts of Kiai Desa: Islamic Thoughts and Movements KH. Ahmad Rifa'i , 2001) KH Ahmad Rifa'i's support group in Kalisalak emerged as an accumulation of cultural isolation from the government, as well as all ranks of bureaucrats. On the other hand, it is also an effort to establish communal boundaries, to distinguish the ulama who should be used as references. The term 'alim 'fair, is used as a boundary to distinguish between the scholars who should be embraced and which ones are rejected.

Regarding tarekat, Kiai Rifa'i considers it to be a path that one must take to make himself close to God. This understanding appears in the following verse:

Or the order of traders and farmers

That is to pray to Allah with an obedient heart

The benefit of the heart is to help worship

Adhere to the obligation to stay away from immorality

The heart is dedicated to the benefit of the hereafter

Meaning: (As for the sect of people who trade and plant/ That is, their heart desires to obey God/ The benefit of the heart is to help worship/ Fulfill obligations and avoid immorality/ The purpose of the heart is to obtain the benefits of the hereafter)

In Abdul Jamil's notes (2000), the expression of the word Tariqa according to Rifa'i is related to efforts to build a balance between the three pillars that determine one's attaining the ideal level of religion. In this context, the continuation of the Sunni Sufism tradition emphasizes the balance between the three things, as a reaction to the tendency of Sufism to ignore these three things.

Shaykh Rifa'i emphasized the importance of a leader who is pious and just. This principle is what distinguishes leaders who can be a reference for the people, or those who need to be opposed.

Also must take the science of fitwane

'Alim 'Adil trust syarah' found

I'timad in the righteous advice

It is also valid to be a role model teacher

In the house of my time

It is forbidden to take knowledge of nonsense

It's fun to be like a sinner

Alim fasik because the world is ignorant

 

(Also obliged to take knowledge of his fatwa/ 'Alim is just religious belief' happens/ Stick to 'Alim 'Adil' advice/ Also valid to be used as a role model teacher/ In one's space and time/ It is forbidden to take knowledge inconsequential/ Hunting for the pleasures of sinful lusts that have been explained/ 'Salm is wicked because the world has been known)

The life of Shaykh Ahmad Rifa'i is a reflection of the resistance of Sufi scholars to the Dutch East Indies government. Sufism values ​​become solid principles for looking at life, fighting for independence.