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The Education and Teaching Division of MKWK UMM regularly holds Saturday Fajr Lectures (KSS) to strengthen the scientific, social and spiritual dimensions of students (Photo: Special) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) offers a variety of unique and engaging activities, one of which is the Saturday Subuh Lecture (KSS), regularly organized by the MKWK Education and Teaching Division. KSS serves as a platform for fostering Al-Islam and Muhammadiyah values, aimed at strengthening academic, social, and spiritual dimensions. On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin, M.Si., was present to provide new insights to the students.
Attended by more than 3,000 students both offline and online, the Saturday Subuh Lecture (KSS) explored the theme 'Progressive Islam for Gen Z'. Syamsul shared that since the 3rd grade of middle school, he had aspired to become a religious teacher. “Back then, I was inspired by a book on the history of Islamic education. The mosque in Medina, built by the Prophet Muhammad, was highly multifunctional. It wasn’t just a place of worship but also a center for learning. That mosque was the precursor to madrasahs and Islamic education, a place for developing knowledge,” he said.
According to Syamsul, the UMM Mosque serves as a foundation for students to build their academic experiences. Additionally, students also need to cultivate social experiences. In many aspects, humans naturally require habitual practices, such as performing congregational prayers. The concept of jamaa’ah becomes a medium for fostering social engagement—a process of communication and involvement within a community. “The practice of congregational prayer is crucial for building social engagement. It helps create a sense of community and fosters social involvement, which in turn contributes to better well-being,” Syamsul explained.
Syamsul also elaborated on Surah Al-Hashr, verse 18. Quoting Muhammad Asad’s concept of taqwa, he described the term as God’s consciousness—an awareness of the divine presence—and referred to muttaqin as "all the God-conscious," those who are constantly aware of God’s presence. Thus, being taqwa means feeling and internalizing the presence of Allah wherever and whenever one may be. This divine consciousness is the pinnacle of spiritual experience, which does not emerge suddenly. Through the habitual practice of prayer, one can cultivate and progress toward this state of divine awareness.
Furthermore, Syamsul reintroduced the five characteristics of Progressive Islam in Muhammadiyah. First, Islam is based on tauhid (al-Mabni ‘ala al-Tauhid). Second, it is an Islam sourced from the Qur’an and Sunnah. Third, it emphasizes the practice of ijtihad and tajdid (renewal). Fourth, it promotes moderation (Tanmiyat al-Wasathiyah). Lastly, it seeks to bring mercy to all of creation (rahmatan lil ‘alamin).
"Therefore, as Gen Z living in an increasingly complex era, it is crucial for you to embody the ethos of a progressive Muslim. The first foundation is tauhid—always remaining optimistic in Allah. Build optimism through the habitual practice of prayer. Second, develop a love for reading the Qur’an and applying its teachings in life. Third, adopt a tajdid mindset with critical thinking. Lastly, embrace moderation and spread Islam as a mercy to all creation (rahmatan lil alamin)," he concluded. (*/wil/ind)
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