Repackaging Sufism inspired by Buya Syakur

The Indonesian mourns the passing of the maestro Abdul Syakur Yasin, known as Buya Syakur, (February 2, 1948 – January 17, 2024), a respected leader of Pesantren Cadangpinggan in Sukagumiwang, Indramayu Regency. Buya Syakur was a world-renowned spiritual teacher and an icon of Sufism. His spiritual legacy continues to inspire and guide people along the path to the Light.

As a young person who was interested in studying spirituality in his 20s, the work of late Prof. Dr. Kiyai Haji Abdul Syakur Yasin, M.A. ( Buya Syakur is his nicknamed, wellknown spiritual master of Islamic boarding school Cadangpinggan, West Java) was the main unlocking key.

Although he was rooted from Nahdlatul Ulama ( Revival of the Ulama, NU ) as an Islamic organization in Indonesia. Its membership numbered over 95 million, making it the largest Islamic organization in the world , he never exalted and despised the other religions. Never!

Buya Syakur always sees the seed of enlightenment that is available inside every being. Then pour the cool water so that the seeds of enlightenment can grow healthily.

Not many teachers can combine deep accomplishment into a simple language like Buya Syakur did. And Buya is one of the very rare spiritual master in this regard.

The contribution of Buya Syakur to Sufism.

One of the sacred teachings that is too high for ordinary people to understand is the book of Al-Hikam ( Ibn Athoillah ). But in the hands of Buya this teaching can be digested easily and beautifully. As someone I have personally met in Cirebon Indramayu West Java Indonesia and through Zoom meeting, I must tell here, the late Buya Syakur is a true living Islam.

Listening to his story from only a few meters away, my tears flowed profusely. Even for over an hour.

The same experience also occurred when we disscussed " Dimana Ada Cinta , Disitu Tuhan Ada" (Where there is love, there is God) , the first meeting in 2021 . In the language of energy researchers: “Energy never lies”.

High-level Masters like Buya Syakur have great energy vibrations. It is like a magnet with great attraction.

Which draws many beings out of darkness, then elegantly leads mankind to tread the path to the Light.

So it is understandable that many people crowned him as a saint who deserves to be awarded as Spiritual Master.

In short, it is rare to have a sincere Guru like Buya Syakur. So it is a very beautiful blessing if it can be lit by the lanterns that he shared.

It would be even more wonderful if you could pass Buya’s lantern on to as many creatures in this world as possible. Goodbye Buya Syakur. Rest in Light.

Buya’s physical body was indeed carried away by death. But his goodness body and Buya’s lantern will remain in the hearts of countless disciples here on earth.

The teaching of Buya Syakur on sincerity.

Just as nature cannot throw away the night, the ocean cannot throw away the waves, roses cannot throw away thorns, nor can humans can get rid of bad moods, sorrow, pain, sickness and death.

Death in particular, it is not the enemy of life, but the partner of life. In our time, it is called “Agile Emotion” is very clear on this point. Most people take unhealthy steps when visited by inner darkness such as sadness and misfortune.

First of all we tend to judge the outside as well as judge our innerself. Then run away from sadness and pain. Some run to entertainment, others run to sedatives.

La bellezza della sincerità (الاخلاص) può far sì che l’oscurità esterna generi la chiara Luce interiore.

The importance of spirituality according to Buya Syakur

For that reason, every time you are visited by sadness or pain, learn not to run away from it. Train yourself to be diligent and sincere to “embrace” the discomfort inside. For friends to ponder, no life is always comfortable.

Even holy souls like Jalaluddin Rumi and Ibn Athoillah experienced a lot of discomfort.

The practical step then, learn to grow with the discomfort. See and treat the discomfort as it is. As simple as nature treats the night, as simple as the ocean growing with the waves, as calm as a rose growing with the thorns.

At first there were those who refused inside. From stubborn rejection such as feeling stupid and being fooled by others, suspecting that being tricked by satan. Until subtle refusal like absurd, to justifying oneself with holy verses that only want to comfort oneself. However, keep on training yourself to “embrace” beautifully the discomfort within. Use discomfort as sandpaper that can smooth our innerself.

The invitation to all friends, this cycle of time does contain a lot of violence, but do not allow it to steal our inner love inside. Contrary to the common view that Sufism is somehow incompatible with " the modern", emerging new forms of Sufism signify the creative adaptation of Islam to the religious sensibilities and social demands of modern life. This information focuses on the Wamimma, a thriving Islamic Studies Centre in Indonesia, whose integration of esoteric spiritual knowledge with modern style education suits the modern sensibilities of affluent and educated Muslim cosmopolitans in Indonesia. In the global house cleaning and rebuilding of contemporary Islam, Sufism has not been thrown out, inste ad ... It has been selectively reconfigured.

Yusuf Daud
Founder SophiaCitra Institute PhiloSufi centre for Interfaith and Intercultural dialogue Surabaya-Indonesia