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| Dosen Hukum Keluarga Islam (HKI) Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Agus Supriyadi, Lc, M.H.I. (Foto : Istimewa) |
Responding to the controversy involving a religious figure and a viral iced tea seller, Agus Supriyadi, Lc, M.H.I., a lecturer in Islamic Family Law (HKI) at Universiity of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), emphasized the importance of applying fundamental principles in preaching. He highlighted Islam rahmatan lil alamin, which portrays Islam as a religion of peace and compassion under Allah's guidance. Structured systematically, Islam governs all aspects of life, both worldly and spiritual.
Quoting from the book Ushulud Dakwah, Agus explained that there are four fundamental principles in preaching that must be upheld. These include the selection of themes and content for preaching, the characteristics of the preacher (da’i), the target audience (mad’u), and the strategies or methods used in preaching. The essence of preaching, he noted, lies in accompanying, nurturing, and offering compassion with gentleness yet firmness. A preacher is required to be proficient in mastering the material, tailoring their delivery methods and persona to suit the audience's segmentation. According to Agus, a da’i or preacher must not only excel in cognitive intelligence but also possess strong ethical skills to effectively convey their message.
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"These two essential elements are interconnected and significantly influence the success of preaching," he emphasized. "No matter how excellent a preacher's rhetoric may be, if it is not accompanied by proper ethics, the message of the sermon will not resonate in the hearts of the audience."
Furthermore, reflecting on the case, Agus highlighted the importance for preachers to avoid perpetuating negative stigmas. He explained that preachers must carefully maintain their demeanor and choice of words when delivering messages, ensuring they do not demean others based on physical appearance or profession, as this could hurt feelings and create negative perceptions.
This approach aligns with Allah's command in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, which emphasizes that a person's dignity in the sight of Allah is not solely determined by outward attributes, such as physical appearance or profession. Instead, the true measure of a servant's honor lies in their piety and devotion to Allah SWT.
In addition, Agus stated that the true purpose of preaching is to unite, not to divide or alienate people from one another. He referenced a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW: "Whoever cannot show compassion to others will not receive compassion from others."However, he pointed out that instead of fostering unity, the preaching activity in question led to widespread criticism and negative comments, which ultimately fractured the bonds of brotherhood.
"Humor in preaching is a method to lighten the atmosphere or educate with wise content that does not offend others," he explained. "Humor should never be used as a means to insult or belittle others."
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Nevertheless, Agus urged the public not to overreact toward the iced tea seller, as such reactions could foster a dependency mindset. He observed that this trend has led to an increasing number of iced tea sellers appearing at religious gatherings, hoping their goods will be purchased in bulk by preachers. Similarly, excessive criticism directed at Gus Miftah is also unwarranted. While constructive criticism and self-reflection are necessary for improvement, it is important to recognize that Gus Miftah has already apologized and taken responsibility for his remarks, even stepping down from his position as a presidential envoy.
Finally, Agus emphasized the importance of self-reflection after preaching. He expressed hope that the future of Islamic preaching in Indonesia would continue to advance, with sustainable and constructive content. He also stressed that the choice of methods or strategies should align with the target audience. “We must remember that while preaching methods are important, they are not the sole measure of its success. The success of preaching can be seen from the positive impact it has on both the preacher and the audience,” he concluded. (*/wil/ind)
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