We have now entered the final days of the holy month of Ramadan 1445 H, a month filled with faith and goodness for Muslims and humanity. Every year during the month of Ramadan, Diponegoro University (UNDIP) routinely organizes a Tarawih Keliling (Tarling) event at various locations within the UNDIP Semarang area. On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, UNDIP’s Tarawih Keliling event was held at the SA-MWA UNDIP Building Auditorium, and the hosts were the heads of LPPM and LP2MP UNDIP.
The Head of LP2MP UNDIP, Prof. Dr. Ir. Setia Budi Sasongko, DEA., and the Head of LPPM UNDIP, Prof. Dr.Ing. Ir. Suherman, S.T., M.T., as the hosts of the Tarling, expressed their gratitude for the smooth implementation of the event.
After performing the Ishaa prayer together, the congregation of UNDIP’s Tarling devoutly performed the Tarawih and Witr prayers. The activity was followed by a lecture titled “Itikaf in the Holy Month of Ramadan,” delivered by Prof. Dr. Suparman Syukur, M.Ag., from the Assessment, Research, and Development Commission of MUI Central Java.
Prof. Dr. Suparman Syukur, M.Ag., mentioned that we should believe that, as humans, we need not fear death because life is essentially about seeking the pleasure of Allah SWT. “Like the Javanese saying, ‘urip kuwi tentrem, madhep, mantep’,” he emphasized.
In order to keep faith strong, the body must also be prepared. Prof. Dr. Suparman Syukur, M.Ag., emphasized the importance of physical health. Islam is a strong religion; therefore, the body should also be strong.
The practice of itikaf at the end of the holy month of Ramadan is essentially carried out by Muslims as a form of faith and seeking the multiplied pleasure of Allah SWT in this noble month. Prof. Dr. Suparman Syukur, M.Ag., provided tips for maintaining focus on worship, especially in the final days of Ramadan, including:
- Positive thinking; having good thoughts and husnudzon, for example, not thinking that having new clothes for Eid is obligatory, but if there is, then Alhamdulillah, it is part of fortune,
- Ensure to sleep at the right time so you can wake up for the night prayers; by intending to worship at night, Allah will surely awaken us,
- After the night prayers and heading towards the pre-dawn meal, increase istighfar(seeking forgiveness) and tahlil (reciting “La ilaha illallah”),
- Giving zakatand charity to purify our wealth as per the saying, “In your wealth, there is something that does not belong to you but belongs to others.”
By performing itikaf and worshiping wholeheartedly, we all experience the blessings of Ramadan and share happiness with others. (Titis/Wigas-Public Relations)
