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originally opposed, is now beginning to
276 Indonesian Islamic Culture in Historical Perspectives
observations, this condition started to entire field, while there is also a stage is similar to other rituals held by other
be appreciated. Sufism has long suffered change in the 1980s. According to Julia within the fully carpeted tents. On a Muslim communities in Jakarta and
from marginalization the emerging D. Howell, the tendency to change had certain Sunday, whenthe offices are other major cities in Indonesia. Some
modernist orientation which assumed already begun in the 1970s (Howell, vacant, the annual commemoration is television shows often broadcast similar
Sufism was not original Islamic teaching. 2008: 375). Muslim scholars started performed. The followers of Qadiriyah rituals conducted by organized groups,
Modernists among the inhabitants of to view Sufism and mystical orders in wa Naqsyabandiyah mystical order from such as the Majlis Adz-Dzikra led by
urban areas strongly objected to the general as an alternate way and as various regions in Indonesia, dressed Ustadz M. Arifin Ilham, Ustadz Abdullah
practice of Sufism in the form of a long amodern style of worship, which is said in white uniforms, congregate together Gymnastiar, and also Ustadz Haji
series of repetitive recitations (wird) to had ‘dried’ spiritually and had become with the mursyid and the ‘ulama of the Haryono. The invocation ritual performed
following certain pronouncements and disconnected from the Muslim’s deepest order to performinvocations (dhikr) by the latter is usually coupled with a
their unique invocation techniques innermost self. The invocations of the and to make supplications (doa), being healing ritual. People suffering from
(dhikr). One aspect of Sufism that mystical orders lead to a deep spiritual face to face with each other (tawajjuh), various illnesses, who usually have
has become the modernists’ easiest experience capable of fulfilling their converse intimately (munajat), drawing already visited a medical doctor but to no
target is bai’at (allegiance), which is yearning to become closer to God. The closer to God and entreating forgiveness avail, assemble to recite the invocations
the unreserved oath of allegiance to a modernists’ appreciation of mystical to gain salvation in this world and in and prayers led by Ustadz Haji Haryono.
Sufi teacher and obediently to carry out orders and Sufism in general has the hereafter. This is an annual event In addition to his life in Bekasi where
certain recitations. They are also against increased substantially. Many mystical in addition to the weekly rituals held by he treats patients with his assistants
the excessive respect Sufis have for their congregation semerged in urban regions, members who reside in Jakarta and with the invocation method, Ustadz Haji
teachers, either a mursyid (leader of a where intellectuals, executives, and surroundings and are usually held every Haryonois also the leader of a pesantren
Sufi order) or the founder of certain Sufi bureaucrats join these groups. Saturday, rotating between various in East Java.
mystical order (tarekat), and sheikhs, People who used to be critical of places like mosques or members’ K.H. Abdullah Gymnastiar founded and
to and the tradition of the heretation of Sufism gradually appreciated these houses. The Mosque of LIPI is one of the for a long time led Pesantren Darut
fatihah that was mediated by a sheikh religious practices and some even places used for this weekly congregation. Tauhid, a pesantren which is identical to
(tawasul)to the founder of the tarekat joined a mystical brotherhood. In the This kind of tawajjuh is not only attended spiritual training activities. Broadcasted
who had been passed away. . According last fifteen years, in the courtyard of the by ordinary Muslims but also by by a radio station on the campus of
to the reformists, these practices are LIPI building on Jalan Gatot Subroto prominent society figures, bureaucrats, Pesantren Darut Tauhid in Bandung his
not rooted in the Qur’an or the hadith, in Jakarta, every year a grand ritual is ministers, intellectuals, scientists, preaching attracted tens of thousands
heretical, and invalid innovations. This held. It is an annual commemoration merchants, employees, entrepreneurs, of people. Aa Gym (as Abdullah
stereotyping had social implications, (haul), organized by the Qadiriyah and so on. Thus, the membership of the Gymnastiar was popularly called) also
in which the modernists considered wa Naqsyabandiyah mystical order. mystical congregations spans a wide delivered his spiritually enlightening
themselves puritan and pristine Muslims, In the month of Sha’ban, the field range of social classes. counsels in a heartrending way and by
where as the followers of Sufi orders usually uses for the ceremony is A grand invocation ritualas the one using of simple and touching language.
as heterodox. According to some covered with giant tents that cover the held in the courtyard of the LIPI office Because of his popular style of spiritual
Indonesian Islamic Culture in Historical Perspectives 277