How do you see Palestine?
Palestine is indeed a blessed place, mentioned in the Qur’an (Al-Isra [17]:1) with a shout-out to Masjid al-Aqsa and its surroundings. Allah, the Most High, says:
سُبْحٰنَ الَّذِيْٓ اَسْرٰى بِعَبْدِهٖ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْاَقْصَا الَّذِيْ بٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهٗ لِنُرِيَهٗ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَاۗ اِنَّهٗ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْبَصِيْرُ
“Holy is He Who carried His servant by night from the Holy Mosque (in Mecca) to the farther Mosque (in Jerusalem) whose surroundings We have blessed that We might show him some of Our signs. Indeed He alone is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Qur’an, Ministry of Religious Affairs, 2023).
The meaning of Barakna Haulahu (which We have blessed its surroundings) is also mentioned in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The lands of Greater Syria (Ash-Sham) and Yemen are said to be lands that were prayed for their blessings by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These lands are fertile and can be cultivated with fruits and vegetables such as watermelons, olives, and so on.
Then, what is the role and attention of Indonesia in defending the sacred land, Palestine?
Indonesians have shown and advocated for sympathy in various ways and places. Concrete actions include the formation of volunteer committees for Palestine, frequent donations, humanitarian concerts to raise funds for Palestinians, and the distribution of essential supplies to those in need. Every effort made by Indonesians is a manifestation of their care for fellow human beings. The fundamental basis for building solidarity among Muslims is the compassion for fellow believers, as emphasized in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him):
عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: “مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ، إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى” (رواه أحمد)
From Nu’man bin Bashir, he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and sympathy is like a single body. If one part of it suffers, the whole body feels the pain, staying awake and having a fever.” (Hadith narrated by Ahmad)
If one part of the body is in pain, the rest of the body feels it too. This is a form of empathy among individuals. The support and sympathy shown by Indonesians towards the Palestinians are manifestations of love (rahma) for fellow Muslims. As the hadith above illustrates, expressions of love, care, and empathy are all parts of being human (Quraish Shihab in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 2020). So, it’s only right for Indonesians to keep helping Palestinians in every way they can.
A Way Towards Peace in Palestine
A way to mobilize peace in the conflict in Palestine is through diplomacy to bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A ceasefire is also a crucial step toward achieving independence. The Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI) has engaged in diplomatic efforts at the Parliament building, holding meetings with various countries such as South Korea and others.
The author observes that Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) can also voice the call for the freedom of Palestinian land, whether from behind the walls of the pesantren or from the classrooms of campuses. This can be achieved by generating ideas so that others become increasingly aware “that freedom is the right of all nations, and therefore, colonialism in the world must be eradicated because it is inconsistent with humanity and justice.” This is a paraphrased quote from the preamble of the 1945 Constitution.
O Allah, strengthen our mujahideen brothers in Palestine, especially in Gaza, and protect their blood. O God, punish the cursed Zionist Jews, and bring down Your wrath on them. O God, support your religion, your kalam, and the sunnah of your Prophet, Muhammad—may Allah bestow grace on him and give him peace.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!
Author: Sholahuddin
Editor: Indana Hamuda
