PANDEGLANG, BANTEN — Mad Tarip feels so happy when his students are able to read and write the Quran. Despite the unpredictable rainy season, he remains enthusiastic and steadfast in accompanying the children in their Quranic studies and in applying its teachings.
This 55-year-old man, a beneficiary of the Dompet Dhuafa Remote Area Preacher Assistance Program, has dedicated himself to learning and teaching Islam. Born and raised in Tanjung Kembang village, Cibitung subdistrict, Munjung district, Pandeglang regency, Tarip’s daily life is filled with religious activities.
His main activity is teaching children to read the Quran in a small building he calls the “Gubug Majelis Taklim,” located in front of his house. Additionally, he conducts religious study sessions for women in his neighborhood. For men, he holds sessions at four mosques in the surrounding villages.
Not only that, his morning routine also includes teaching formally at a Madrasah Diniyah as a freelance teacher. At Gubug Majelis Taklim, every Friday afternoon, he regularly holds religious lectures for the local community. Some of his activities include reciting the Quran, yasinan, studying the book Fathul Qorib, and other religious activities. Unfortunately, the place where he holds the study sessions is very cramped. Despite this, the number of attendees can reach 40 to 50 people.
“So I’m constantly moving around teaching religious lessons. In the morning, I go to the madrasah, in the afternoon I teach at the TPA for children, and then in the evening at the mosque for the men. On Sundays, I hold a study session for the men, while for the women, it’s on Friday evenings,” he shared with the Dompet Dhuafa team on Friday (August 19, 2022).
Islamic outreach for community development and support is not limited to urban areas. In fact, rural and village communities show a high level of enthusiasm. The reality is that people in remote areas tend to have simple and straightforward ways of thinking. Add to that economic challenges, making them highly vulnerable to external influences.
Despite living in a family with limited means, Mad Tarip remains enthusiastic about learning and spreading the teachings of Islam. As an unpaid preacher, he works as a farmer and firewood collector to support his family’s daily needs. Additionally, alongside his wife, he runs a small shop in the front of their modest home.
Remarkably, both of Tarip’s children were able to pursue higher education in the city and earned bachelor’s degrees. He truly believes that education is of utmost importance for children. Despite financial constraints, Tarip and his wife remain confident that Allah will provide for them in ways they cannot foresee. Indeed, both of his daughters received full scholarships from donors to pursue their undergraduate degrees.
“I also make time to go to the rice fields in the afternoon after noon prayers, because that’s when it’s empty. In the evening, I immediately go to teach the children at the TPA,” he added.
Another blessing he is always grateful for is the health of himself and his family. According to him, he always feels healthy and energetic despite his busy daily schedule. He also feels a sense of peace in life despite living in a village with limited material resources. From all his activities, Tarip does not receive any special honorarium from his teaching. However, he said that after the rice harvest season, the villagers collect a portion of their harvest to give to Tarip.
“Despite the many activities, alhamdulillah, my body remains healthy, and my mind is always at peace. Insha Allah, by constantly reciting dzikir, I feel at peace and do not want to complain much. I feel this is my duty to continue spreading the teachings of Islam. With that, I always feel light-hearted wherever I go,” he said.
Mad Tarip collects firewood from the forest
In a low voice, he said that he was not a salaried person. However, thank God, there was always enough money coming in to pay for his children’s education. Currently, both of his daughters have graduated from college and found jobs in the city. He continues to be grateful and believes that sustenance comes from anywhere and in any form. He considers his good health to be an extraordinary blessing from God for him and his family.
Tarip began teaching religious lessons in 1999. According to his story, there was once a grant from the district government of 3 million rupiah per year for honorary religious teachers. However, he soon stopped receiving the grant. His reason was to reach more people. He never expected to receive a salary from teaching.
“I teach with the intention of sharing knowledge and helping others. I don’t expect money from teaching. To support my family, I farm,” he stated. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)