I see Indonesia as one of the last great fortresses of Islam. The knowledge is here pure and clean as delivered by the prophet Muhammad. But the generation coming up now has seen the offerings of the followers of Dajjal. They see it is a blessing in disguise. It is being taught and the followers or mostly the generation that will soon rule this nation. If the people of Indonesia do not be careful they will fall under the same belief system that has corrupted the western nations. Already some of the best schools here or supported by the US and Christian nations. The government is continually looking that way for financial support. Support to feed an ever-growing desire for the material world and the treasures and trials of this world. They are being taught that success is most important. They are being taught that people with money or the real successful people. But money and all the treasures in the world cannot buy you entrance into paradise. Treasures of this world or available for the good to prove their worthiness. By gaining treasures and thanking Allah then helping others that do not have the same, by giving of what you have to help others within the Islamic community.
To get a full understanding of the condition of Islam in Indonesia you have to come from outside. As a new follower to the message of Islam as received by the prophet Muhammad I feel I see things differently than most people in Indonesia. I have been in the world and have seen the evil that exists all over. I have experienced having the life from the west and can tell you that the life here in Indonesia could be better if people look to help each other and abandon the false dreams offered by what they call the modern world. The world philosophy is how can "I" better myself. How can "I" be successful in business? With what aims, so "I" can have more of the worldly goods that are available. You will see teachings most specifically on self-help. What about improvement for your brethren, would it not be better to help others? Why don't we see teaching entitled community-help? You do not see this, because the individual is not going to get rich. Most philosophers and psychologists say this cannot work because the community gets stagnant. They say that when you start taking away incentives to be the best that the community as a whole suffers. This is because the unbelievers start protesting by not doing anything and pull the community down. This is the problem; too many people do not believe in the rewards that Allah has promised if we help each other. The unbelievers start protesting by saying why should we work harder than someone else if our hard work is going to be shared by those who do not work as hard. This is because they do not believe in Allah, they do not believe that the reward for eternity is greater for those who do better for there brothers, they do not believe in eternity. They only believe in the rewards they can hold in their hands today and in the physical environment that Allah has put us in to test us and separate the believers from the nonbelievers. The majority of people today or infected by the materialistic approach to life and want to know how much they can achieve in this life. A life if they only believed is such a short time compared to the eternity that I wish to build my dreams upon. I cannot believe in the world and that is all there is, but so many do.
It is the desire for the worldly pleasures and the physical things provided that is eating away at Islam. I see Indonesia as a strong nation with great moral foundations. But every day the foundation is being eaten away by desires of the western style of life, in particular that of the United States.
I went to the house of the most recognized Ullama of Indonesia. I was somewhat afraid because of my lack of knowledge in Islam and thought for sure he will test my understanding. I was hoping though that he would give me some inspirational knowledge that would help me to grow stronger in my own faith. I went into his house and the conversation led to how he stays in touch with the world. Within a few minutes he was showing me his compact portable computer that I am sure cost 10 years pay for the average Indonesian citizen. He then showed me his hand phone and started to explain to me how he could contact anyone with just a few clicks on its keys. He told me he was known as the electronic man because of all of the modern gadgets he carried on himself. He told me that he was invited to the US to meet with the president but that his schedule was so busy and that it was not possible for him to leave Indonesia. He told me about his website. He told me about his radio station. He told me about his publishing business. He told me about his travel business. What bothers me most is that all of his success is centered on selling the teachings of Allah and the obligations to Allah. I see nothing wrong with a man being a successful in business if his products for sale or not the words and teachings of Allah. A just man will be rewarded many times over in this world and the next if he pursues his business in ways that are beneficial to all. In the end he started telling me about his new office that he had just built. We went out of his house and just next door we went into this huge conference room that had a really huge nice oval table and beautiful chairs about it. He sat down in one of them. I felt that I had learned all that I was going to from this brilliant man and told him that I needed to go so he could rest for a busy schedule the next day. I thanked him for showing me his toys and left. I left his house very disappointed. I had expected that when I went to the house of this world known and most followed ullama of Indonesia I would come out a changed man. I thought maybe he would impart upon me just a little knowledge that would strengthen my belief in Islam. I do not even remember offering a prayer in his house. A few days later I was making ready to go back to the USA when he came around to where I was staying to wish me a good trip. He was riding on a beautiful motorcycle wearing a leather jacket like that of the Fonz from the TV shows Happy Days. He is teaching the people of Indonesia the ideals of the modern world. How can I succeed in business? How can I do better than my competitors? How can I improve my self?
Is this Islam?
I have been to several other so-called ullama in Indonesia to get some understanding. Some of them are selling Quran writings sealed in cellophane and pass them on for a price as good luck. You are supposed to carry these good luck charms around to get blessings from Allah. One ullama even wanted to sell me a cloth belt that had scriptures sewn into it for 500,000 Rupia. Another one drew cards from beneath the table like a game of chance to predict your future. All of them are standing there with there hands out at the end for money.
The above systems work because they only look out for number one. There is always a rich person controlling the strings that guide it. It is appealing because everyone else wants to be at the top and always work with that goal in mind. But who thinks about the community as a whole? For every rich man there are at least 100 poor people. And at what a loss, the price is the very soul of man. And the reward in the end is Hell.