Who isn’t disappointed when the trust given is not carried out with integrity? That’s what happened to the #KaburAjaDulu phenomenon in early 2025. This phenomenon stemmed from the accumulated disappointment of the Indonesian people with the country’s socioeconomic conditions. People were disappointed with the government and became pessimistic about their welfare if they continued to live in Indonesia. Thus, the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu (Just Escape First) became trending.
#KaburAjaDulu = Not Loving the Country?
The intention of #KaburAjaDulu itself is to look for opportunities to live abroad rather than survive in the country. This movement reflects disappointment with various aspects of the country. These aspects include rampant corruption among officials, uncompetitive job opportunities and salaries, increasingly difficult economic conditions, political and social instability, and the country’s lack of appreciation for local potential and innovation.
Even so, it does not mean that people who want to #KaburAjaDulu (just escape for now) don’t love Indonesia. It is more of a reflection of a person’s desire to seek a better life abroad. Whether it’s in terms of career, education, or quality of life.
Loving the country does not mean you always have to live in Indonesia. Many people migrate abroad, but still have a great love for Indonesia. In fact, they can contribute more while living abroad than living in Indonesia. With a decent life abroad, someone can contribute by sending foreign exchange or investing in the country, promoting Indonesian culture there, and increasing knowledge and skills that can have an impact when he returns to Indonesia.
This means that #KaburAjaDulu (just escape first) does not mean that someone does not love their homeland. In fact, it could be the best way to contribute to the progress of the nation. So, how do you love the homeland according to the Islamic perspective?
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Loving the Country According to Islam
Basically, the phrase love of the country in the Qur’an is not mentioned directly. The Qur’an also does not explain exactly what the importance of having a love for the country is. However, the values of love for the country are found in the Qur’an and these values are able to answer all kinds of questions about the importance of loving the country.
One of the concepts of love of the homeland in the Qur’an is found in Surah Al-Hujurat verse 13:
“O mankind, indeed We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most devout among you. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware.
(Surah Al-Hujurat: 13)
There are various asbabunnuzul or stories of the origins of the verse above. First, from Ibn Abi Hatim who narrated from Abi Malakah who said, “After the liberation of Mecca, Bilal climbed the Kaaba and then sounded the call to prayer.” Seeing this, some people then said, “How is it possible that this black slave is the one who calls the adhan on top of the Kaaba!” Others said mockingly, “Would Allah be angry if he were not the one to call the adhan?”
Second, Ibn Asakir who narrated in the book al-Mubhamaat. In the tradition, this verse was revealed in relation to Abi Hindun. Once the Prophet ordered the Banu Bayadhah to marry Abu Hindun to a woman from their tribe. However, they said, “O Messenger of Allah, how can we marry our daughter to a slave?” Then this verse was revealed.
According to Al Imam Abul Fida Isma’il, surah Al-Hujurat verse 13 emphasizes the unity of human origins by showing the equality of humanity.
Meanwhile, in the Tafsir Al-Misbah written by KH Quraish Shihab, surah Al-Hujurat verse 13 can be interpreted as one form of human devotion to their homeland or country. That means that they have had a sense of love for their homeland since birth and it is a natural form.
In line with this opinion, the book Ar-Risalah written by Hadratussyeckh Hasyim Asy’ari also explains that defending a country that is under occupation is mandatory. From this opinion, the term hubb al wathan minal iman (love of the homeland is part of faith) popularized by KH Wahab Hasbullah became known.
In accordance with the explanation above, the Qur’an surah Al-Hujurat 13 can be interpreted that basically humans are attached to their origins, including the land they have trodden since birth. It also contains the values of ukhuwah Islamiyah, which is a sense of unity and brotherhood among human beings, regardless of differences. This value is in line with nationalism.
Among Indonesian Muslims themselves, nationalism is when Islamic values have penetrated within. Muslim communities who practice their religion correctly will automatically have a sense of nationalism towards their homeland. So, loving the homeland according to the Islamic perspective exists and has been practiced for a long time. That is, by strengthening ukhuwah Islamiyah to create prosperity and strength for the homeland.
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Ulama’s Ijtihad on Loving the Motherland
A group of scholars in Indonesia issued an ijtihad or opinion on love of the motherland for all citizens. In the decision of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), loving the motherland is mandatory. The most popular expression among Indonesians is the opinion of the scholars who expressed the sentence: Hubb al wathan minal iman or love of the motherland is part of faith.
The meaning contained in hubb al wathan is a form of servitude of man to his god. However, it does not mean making the homeland as God, but rather realizing the feeling of love for Allah.
When examined more deeply, the meaning of hubb al wathan is to love the homeland as an expression of gratitude for the abundance of God’s blessings towards the homeland. This is also in accordance with Maqasid Sharia, which is to protect religion, lives, property, offspring, and the homeland.
The ijtihad of the scholars, which reads defending the homeland is obligatory, cannot be separated from the NU jihad resolution fatwa issued by KH Hasyim Asy’ari in 1945. The meaning of the jihad resolution includes the obligation of Muslims to fight to defend the Indonesian nation and state in the face of Dutch and Japanese colonization.
The NU jihad resolution ignited the spirit of the Indonesian people in the war of November 10, 1945, in Surabaya, which was the greatest resistance of the Indonesian nation after the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
Friends, may we all always be united by Allah in faith and brotherhood. May Allah also always give us the strength to protect Indonesia from destruction and oppression. Aamiin… (RQA)