So, the momentum I talked about was a webinar in our literary community, inviting two people who co-wrote a history book called Azan Terakhir di Andalusia (re: The Last Prayer Call in Andalusia). To non-familiar readers, non-Muslims who live in the non-Islam majority countries for example, I want to tell you how special prayer call or azan in Islam.
Azan serves as a sign whenever prayer time comes. You'd hear it five times a day being broadcasted in every neighborhood. In the modern time, it's broadcasted via masjid's loudspeaker and such. In the past they just did it with bare vocals, in some regions with drums before the vocals. The purpose of azan is to inform the people en masse that it is the time to pray and inviting them to pray first before doing their work, study, cooking, and any other activity.
But other than that, this prayer sign actually serves as a socio-political purpose signifies that Islam is being uphold in that region, if not comprehensively at least a part of it. The reason why some of my readers from the non-Islam majority countries might not be familiar with azan, it's simply because Islam is not dominant in its socio-political realm. And that it would seek social problem to the unfamiliar population, being disturbing, etc... right? Whereas in the region where Islam is being uphold, azan is a blessing instead.
Therefore the last "prayer call" in Andalusia defines the socio-political situation of Andalusia that's not dominated by Islam anymore.
Islam. has. fallen. in. Andalusia.
Such a deep meaning behind its title, isn't it?
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As per today I've only read the book's preface and first chapter. It might seem insignificant, but the way that I've already got ibrah/teaching after reading just a few pages shows how solid and meaningful the book is.
With this book I understand that we, as Muslims, should be willing to learn not just the ups but also the downs of our history. Not to lower our self esteem, but to understand better what some generations did wrong for us to not repeat the same mistake.
Besides, being objective and 'adl is better for us, Muslims just like what Allah said in the Qur'an:
"... 'Adl is closer to taqwa." [Al-Maidah (5) : 8]
Have you ever found people who overly exaggerate the Islamic history and getting mad over some objective criticism towards it? It's cringe, right? Although I salute their spirit in upholding Islam, it's not the right way to choose. What's wrong is wrong, we can't deny it, but we can always analyze what's wrong with it to be able to make a clearer path in the future.
Regarding history, Muslims should be in the middle. They shouldn't be grandiose narcissists who worship the history and nostalgists who can only dream about the past. But they shouldn't be discreditors who blaspheme the past too.
The purpose of history is just like what Allah said in the Qur'an:
"There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Qur'an a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it and detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for people who believe." [Yusuf (12) : 111]
Also Rasulullah Muhammad shalallahu 'alaihi wassalam said that a Muslim wouldn't enter the same hole twice. [Narrated by Imam Muslim]
Ideally, this story of the fall of Islam in Andalusia (now a part of Portugal and Spain) should bring us an evoking reflection of our condition today (eg: the genocide befalling Muslims from various regions; Palestine, China, India, or Myanmar) and pushing us, the successor generations to rule this world according to the Islamic principles just like how Allah told us to do.
Lastly, what's enlightened me in this first chapter is the citation of Ibn Khaldun's theory about the rise and fall of a nation from his famous book Kitab al-'Ibar wa al-Barbar wa Diwan al-Mubtada' wa al-Khabar fi Ayyam al-'Arab wa al-'Ajam wa al-Barbar wa man 'Asharahum min Dzawi as-Sulthan al-Akbar.
Ibn Khaldun explains that the cycle of a civilization happens in four generations.
1. Harsh time creates strong men (the founder)
2. Strong men creates good time (sons of the founder)
3. Good time creates weak men (the imitator)
4. Weak men creates harsh time (the destroyer)
The "four generations" does not necessarily mean consecutive. But in general, every civilization works in this cycle. And it's quite disturbing that Ibn Khaldun wrote about this story just a moment before the falls of Islam in Andalusia. As if he could foresee the future, but guess what? It's just a part of history! For everyone who tries to find lesson in it. Huh, sounds familiar because yes, again that's what Allah said in the Qur'an.
And also, linking it with the writers explanation in that webinar last weekend, sometimes we can't understand that the effect of some bad stuff we do that's not in accordance with the Islamic sharia could affect not just us, but other people too (global warming as an example, huh?).
In this case of Andalusia, it falls when people stop upholding Islam and starting to love dunya or worldly affair more. It's quite funny, the writers said, that when Islam started its way in Andalusia, the buildings being built were rough, simple, and only adhered to its functional value. But as the centuries got by until the last time prayer call was broadcasted in Andalusia, it became grandeur and blindingly luxurious.
Although it's not particularly prohibited or haram in Islam, it just shows how much people in that time loved wealth and to some extents, perhaps, tightly holding into materialistic value more. And it's true because just a moment before the fall, the conflicts were intense in various aspects. Not to mention the injustice towards people who're not Muslims (Christians, Jewish, Catholics, etc), but also the despotism between the body of Muslims themselves. How civil war happened, fueled by tribalism that's actually prohibited in Islam, the unawareness of the Muslims' political situation that led to the despair of lots of people, etc.
And lastly, when the Islamic ruling finally ended in that region, their actual enemies (re: the Portugal and Spain) marched with power to colonize Muslims in other parts of the world, not excluding my ancestor land in the Mollucas and Sumatera.
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May Allah forgive our ummah and ease our path to be the Khalifah on this earth that can bring justice to everybody. Aamiin.
Until next chapters.
Wassalamu'alaikum warrahmatullah.
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Bekasi, 3 September 2024
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