By: Muhammad Haritsah Rais., Muhammad Robi., Muhammad Ali Yasin
Adab in seeking knowledge is important to express, considering that many of us as students lack etiquette in seeking knowledge. So that there is an increasingly massive decline in morale, especially since this is influenced by the era of globalization which sometimes subordinates ethics and has a tendency to be pragmatic, liberal, materialist, hedonic, and so on. However, the noble intention of teachers to transfer knowledge to students sometimes forgets sources or classic books in Islamic boarding schools and tends to lead to books on pragmatic moral ethics and western atheism which are irrelevant to the conditions of the Indonesian nation. Even though these classic books have deep ethical content besides having deep substance too, in general, classic books are taught in Islamic boarding schools or Islamic boarding schools, apart from having scientific substance they are usually followed by an emphasis on morals, ethics, or morals, as well as being a differentiator from other sources of knowledge outside of Islam.
One feature that distinguishes Islam from others is its emphasis on knowledge. Al-Qur'an and Hadith Rasulullah SAW. invites Muslims to seek and gain knowledge and wisdom, and to place knowledgeable people at a high degree. From an Islamic perspective, knowledge is a privilege that makes humans superior to other creatures in order to carry out the function of the caliphate. And many times also the Koran and Hadith Rasulullah SAW. shows how high the position of knowledgeable believers is.
In seeking knowledge there is something very important that needs to be addressed, namely adab/ethics that manifests into character in studying. Ethics helps humans to formulate and determine the right attitude in everyday life, which can be accounted for, both in relation to themselves and others. Ethics applies to humans who are carrying out roles in the world of education or science. Humans who do not use ethics in living their daily lives are classified as human beings who cannot be social, political, cultural, educational, and other actors that should be reckoned with.
Adab is a real implementation of ethics (values that must be held) in studying knowledge which was explained by al-Zarnuji in the book of Taʼlim Muta'allim. These are:
First, a student must have high ideals. The intention to seek knowledge should not only be limited to, for example, getting good grades. Low ideals can be interpreted as material orientations that someone wants to get when going through the learning process. Including these low ideals, for example, the knowledge gained will later be intended to gain influence, popularity, or world position.
Of course, such desires cannot be ruled out completely. What is wrong is when material things are not intended for the benefit of amar ma'ruf nahi munkar. So, in learning, these ideals must be in the corridor of Allah's pleasure. Among them are the goals of learning, namely developing and preserving the Islamic religion by eliminating ignorance, both in oneself and in others, obtaining happiness in the world and the hereafter, as well as a way to be grateful for God's blessings.
Second, a student must prioritize knowledge in all matters. Imam Zarnuji states that a student will not be able to gain and utilize knowledge unless he respects his knowledge and expertise, and glorifies and respects his teacher. The exemplary action is like respecting books because the spirit of knowledge is in these books.
Next is respecting the teacher. The things that need to be done to respect the teacher according to al-Zarnuji are not walking in front of him, not sitting in his place, not starting to talk unless permitted, not talking inappropriately about the teacher, not being fussy, and not forcing the teacher. In essence, the attitude of a student is to guard against doing anything that displeases the teacher and do everything that makes him happy. This includes respecting the family and their children because the family is the source of the teacher's happiness.
Third, the learning process must also be carried out for a long time without wasting study time. Therefore, al-Zarnuji suggests several things to avoid. Like avoiding the source of laziness, not overeating, not oversleeping, and staying away from useless things. Al-Zarnuj added, "Who is busy with useless deeds, then things that should be useful will be missed." Muta'allim is a smart person. So, he must know the measurements of his body's needs and create the right conditions to support his learning process. The things that need to be avoided are students' efforts to prioritize knowledge.