Indonesia has a wide variety of unique cultures. The Islamic New Year, which falls on 1 Muharram, is celebrated by Indonesians with various meaningful traditions. In various regions of Indonesia, each with its own uniqueness, such as the Torch Parade, Bubur, Kirab Kebo Bule in Surakarta, Tapa Bisu in Yogyakarta, and even Tabuik/Tabot from Pariaman.
These traditions reflect how Islamic teachings coexist with local culture. However, it is also important to view existing traditions from the perspective of Islamic teachings. This is because not all of them are in accordance with religious teachings, and there are some traditions that lead to things that are not permitted in Islam, such as believing in certain objects or rituals that bring supernatural powers. However, there are also some traditions that are permitted by Islam, such as sharing food and praying together.
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Traditions in Society
In Java, bubur suro is a typical dish. It is a casual dish that contains the philosophy of balance in life, between bitter and sweet, between joy and sorrow. This porridge is usually shared with neighbors as a form of gratitude and a way to strengthen relationships.
In Minang and Bengkulu, Muharram is marked by the Tabuik or Tabot tradition, a ritual to commemorate the sacrifice of Imam Husain. A large coffin is paraded around and then floated out to sea as a symbol of letting go of sadness and hoping for good things to come.
Not only that, in the Yogyakarta Palace, the night of 1 Suro is a time for reflection. The royal servants and residents participate in the Tapa Bisu ritual by walking around the fort without saying a word. In silence, they draw closer to the Creator.
In mountain villages such as Boyolali, there is also a mountain almsgiving ceremony with offerings of crops as an expression of gratitude for sustenance and safety from disasters. In other places, such as Pangkalpinang, residents bring trays of food to the mosque to be eaten together, fostering a sense of brotherhood across age and status.
These traditions are not mere celebrations, but reflections of how Islamic values blend beautifully with local culture. None are uniform, but all speak the same language: hope, gratitude, and togetherness.
Islamic View of Tradition
In Islam, there is an important rule in the science of usul fiqh, namely “Al-‘Adah Muhakkamah,” which means that customs or traditions can be used as a basis for law, as long as they do not contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah.
This means:
– Islam does not automatically reject traditions that exist in society.
– As long as a tradition does not violate Sharia teachings, it can be considered valid and respected.
– Islam is flexible in accepting culture, as long as it remains within the boundaries of Tawhid and Islamic manners.
Not all traditions are automatically haram or mubah. Islam assesses their content and explanation.
– Neutral/good traditions are mubah, which means they are traditions of mutual cooperation, eating together, but do not contain shirk.
– Traditions that are less beneficial are makruh, which are customs that waste excessive time in appearances that have no benefit.
– Traditions that contradict Islam are haram, such as traditions of asking permission from spirits, ritual offerings, or slaughtering animals for other than Allah.
When Do Traditions Become Problematic in Sharia?
In Islam, traditions become problematic when their content contradicts the principles of monotheism and sharia values.
One form that is strictly prohibited is traditions that contain superstition or shirk, such as believing that heirlooms can bring safety, or slaughtering animals in places considered haunted for mystical purposes. Similarly, the belief that there are supernatural powers other than Allah that can determine a person’s fate is also a violation of the oneness of Allah.
In addition, traditions can also be problematic if they place an economic or social burden on the community. For example, the obligation in a custom to hold a large party at great expense, which causes hardship, falls into the category of israf or wastefulness, which is prohibited. On the other hand, traditions can also cause division if they are used to excessively differentiate social status, foster exclusivity based on ethnicity, or even cause conflict between groups.
Permissible or Positive Traditions
Islam does not reject all traditions. If a tradition has positive value and does not deviate from Islamic teachings, it is a form of righteous deed. Examples include visiting relatives, sharing food, giving gifts, praying together, and even giving alms. However, it must be done with the intention of pleasing Allah and without any belief in shirk (polytheism) for it to be permissible.
When practicing traditions, it is also important to avoid those that contain bid’ah syirikiyah, which are rituals that resemble worship but have no basis in the teachings of the Prophet SAW. (Diandra/Syafira)