Gus Baha Emphasizes Balance Between Religion, Logic

Yogyakarta—Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) organized a Tabligh Akbar (mass religious event) as part of its 80th anniversary celebrations, inviting speaker K.H. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim, patron of the Tahfizul Al-Quran Islamic boarding school Al-Quran Science Coaching and Education Development (LP3iA) in Rembang.

The event was held at the Ulil Albab Mosque in UII’s Main Campus on Monday, 13 March 2023.

During his speech, Gus Baha—how K.H. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim is widely known—explained about dirayah, the daily behavior of a religious Muslim who understands the logic of his religion. “Dirayah is an analytical study where we believe in the Hadiths, but also understand the logic,” Gus Baha explained.

“We must practice dirayah. This is important to strengthen our tawhid,” he said.

Gus Baha then highlighted the issue of diversity that was inevitable in our society. “Differences are normal. Maybe some people read a lot, see things differently. This is normal,” he said. “Differences are a matter of point of view. Point of views cannot be managed.”

Apart from his speech, Gus Baha also mentioned that he was close to UII. The close relationship between UII and Gus Baha has been going on for a long time since he and the late former UII rector Prof. H. Zaini Dahlan, M.A became authenticators (pentashih) of the UII Quran manuscript.

Continuing his speech, Gus Bahasa highlighted that differences between orderly campus system and the flexible Islamic boarding school (pesantren) education system were a blessing for Indonesia.

“This is proof of a real coalition. I as a kiai [Islamic scholar] who don’t keep track of time work with someone who keeps the time in check. If all follows the campus system, it becomes a question when someone isn’t on time, because we can’t always be on time. This is why Indonesia is a blessing,” Gus Baha said.

“There are many pious kiai on the streets. There are also many kiai on campus, Doctors in Fiqh [Islamic jurisprudence]. There are many others who study general science and various others,” he added.

After the speech, the event continued with a question-and-answer session. Several former UII rectors, the university’s leadership, students and the general public attended and enlivened the event.

UII Rector Prof. Fathul Wahid, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. hoped that the audience became muta’allimin [the educated]. “I hope that we can all become not only a muhibbin [lovers of education] because that’s still at the lower level,” Prof. Fathul Wahid said. “One level up, we become a mustami’in [listeners] and one more above this is the muta’allimin,” he said. (Jhefry/Ana)

 K.H. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim (left), accompanied by UII Rector Prof. Fathul Wahid, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D. in the Tabligh Akbar that was organized as part of the university’s 80th anniversary celebrations. (VIP Magazine Vol 10)