The Tahlil Tradition of the Purwojati Hamlet Community has Stopped due to the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Tahlil Tradition of the Purwojati Hamlet Community Has Stopped Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic

• ABSTRAK

Tradition is a habit that is carried out by people from generation to generation. The traditions of the Islamic community in Indonesia have various patterns. Ancient archipelago scholars taught Islam through the culture and traditions of the Indonesian people. By not eliminating tradition, the ulama combined Islamic teachings with the local wisdom of the Indonesian people.

One of the Muslim traditions that still exist in the Purwojati Hamlet, Hamlet Dempok Village, Wuluhan District, Jember Regency is Tahlil. Tahlil is a community religious activity that is carried out from generation to generation. With tahlil we can also send prayers to ancestors and relatives who have died.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 virus has hampered the implementation of community traditions, one of which is Tahlil. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is not only felt by the people of the city, we who are in the village also feel it. Tahlil, which is usually held every Friday night, had to be temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, local community leaders recommend tahlil and send prayers on a small scale, for example, only done at their respective homes with family members at home.

   The research method used is library data collection that refers to the Qur'an, hadith, qoul ulama, journals, and articles. This scientific article also explains about the condition of the people of Dusun Purwojati during the Covid-19 pandemic in carrying out religious traditions, one of which is Tahlil.

 

Keywords: Tradition, Tahlil, Pandemic, Society

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Background

Tradition is a community activity that is carried out from generation to generation. There are many traditions that the Indonesian people have, whether in the form of religious, social or cultural traditions. Religious traditions in Indonesia are very diverse, one of which is the Indonesian Muslim tradition in the form of Tahlil.

Tahlil is a series of dhikr, tawassul and sometimes contains prayers addressed to people who have died. Tahlil is usually held every Friday night after Maghrib. Because people are used to it, of course it will be different if tahlil is not implemented. People who are unable to hold a tahlil event will usually be replaced on the following Friday night or replaced with someone else's tahlil schedule.

   The outbreak of the Covid-19 virus has hampered the implementation of community traditions, one of which is Tahlil. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is not only felt by the people of the city, we who are in the village also feel it. Tahlil, which is usually held every Friday night, had to be temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, local community leaders recommend tahlil and send prayers on a small scale, for example, only done at their respective homes with family members at home.

2. Literature Review

   In an article written by Camelia entitled "A unique way for residents to do Tahlil with Social Distancing" on Liputan6.com media, it is stated that residents in an area hold a tahlil event with the guidance of someone from the mosque using loudspeakers, while other residents follow from their respective homes. This is an effort to carry out tahlil while still paying attention to health protocols, namely limiting social contact and crowds.

   The news media Kalteng.co.id also explained that they carried out virtual tahlil which was followed by the ministry, caregivers and students of Islamic boarding schools as well as other ranks of state officials. This activity was held in the meeting room of the Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

 

3. Problem Formulation

a. What is meant by tradition?

b. What is meant by tahlil?

c. What are the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the implementation of community activities?

d. Why did the Covid-19 pandemic affect the implementation of tahlil in Purwojati Hamlet?

4. Research Objectives

a. Know the meaning of tradition.

b. Knowing about the tradition of tahlil.

c. Provide an explanation of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on religious activities in the form of tahlil.

d. Provide an explanation of the reasons the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the implementation of tahlil in Purwojati Hamlet.

 

5. Research Method

 The research method used is library data collection that refers to the Qur'an, hadith, qoul ulama, journals, and articles. With this research, it can be found hadith that refers to the traditions of the Muslim community in Indonesia. As stated in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad. "Surah Yasin is the essence of the Qur'an, those who read it will be forgiven of their sins by Allah SWT. Then read Yasin's letter to the dead." (HR. Abu Dawud). This hadith is a bright spot for the permissibility of tahlil and sending prayers to people who have died. 

B. DISCUSSION

1. Understanding Tradition

   Tradition in the KBBI is a habit that is carried out continuously in society.[1] Tradition can also be interpreted as a cultural heritage carried out by the community from generation to generation. The traditions according to some experts are as follows:

a. Soerjono Soekamto. Tradition is a community activity that is carried out repeatedly and eternally.

b. Shils. Tradition is something that has been passed down from the past until now.

c. WJS. Poerwadaminto. Tradition is people's life that is carried out continuously.[2]

  [1]Ebta Setiawan,"Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia", https://kbbi.web.id/tradisi ,27/11/2021,00:38.      

[2] Fajar Nizarino,"Pengertian Tradisi", https://www.kozio.com/term/tradisi/,27/11/2021,00:48                             

2. Definition of Tahlil

   Tahlil and send prayers to people who have died. Tahlil in language is reading . Whereas in terms it is a series of dhikr to commemorate someone's death with the aim of sending prayers to people who have died. Tahlil in Indonesia has become a tradition of Muslims, because it contains many socio-cultural elements.

    The tradition of tahlil began in ancient times, if someone died they comforted (stayed up) the family who was struck by a disaster f or 7 days. Likewise when it has reached 40 days, 100 days and 1000 days of death. However, after the arrival of Islam in the archipelago, especially in Java, this custom was changed by the guardians into a majlis of dhikr and prayer which we know as Tahlilan.[3]

   The tahlil contains about tawassul, reading Al-Fatihah, An-Naas, Al-Falaq, pieces of verses from the Qur'an, reading dhikr such as; istighfar, takbir, and the sentence of monotheism. Tahlil ends with the recitation of prayers and specialization of the deceased.[4]

   Hadith that shows the virtue of tahlil, tasbih and prayer:

 Has told us Abu Bakr bin Abu Syaibah has told us 'Ali bin Mushir and Ibn Numair from Musa Al Juhani Likewise, it was narrated from another path, and has told us Muhammad bin 'Abdullah bin Numair -and this lafadh belongs to him - Has told us to us my father has told us Musa Al Juhani from Mus'ab bin Sa'd from his father he said; "One day an Arab Bedouin came to the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me a reading worthy of my reading! Allahu Akbaar kabiiran walhamdulillaahi katsiiran. Subhaanallahi Rabbil 'aalamiin. Laa haula walaa quwwataa Illa billaahil 'aziizil magistrate. (There is no god but Allah, the One and Only, there is no partner to Him. Allah is Great, all praise be to Him. Glory be to Him. Allah, Lord of the worlds. There is no power and strength except with the help of Allah, the Mighty and Wise.) The Bedouin Arab said: 'O Messenger of Allah, is that a recitation intended for Allah, then what is the recitation for me? alaihi wasallam said: 'Allaahummaghfir lii warhamnii wahdinii warzuqnii' (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, show me and grant me sustenance). Musa Al Juhani said; 'I doubt the words "Aafini" and do not know their origin.' However, Ibn Abu Syaibah in his Hadith does not mention the words of Abu Musa.[5]

  

[3] Fitrarich,"Asal Usul Tradisi Tahlilan di Pulau Jawa", https://www.viva.co.id/vstory/sejarahvstory/1176230-asal-usul-tradisi-tahlilan-di-tanah-jawa ,27/11/2021,15:14.

[4] Ponpes Putri Al-Burhany YASINAT, "Syifana", ad.shodiaz, hal 44-53

[5] Hadist Shahih Muslil, "Hadist Shahih Muslim no.4862- Kitab dzikir, do'a, taubat dan istighfar.", https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim/4862, 12/12/2021, 14:08

3. Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Community Activities

 

   The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the disruption of community activities, be it religious, social or cultural activities. Some of the impacts are positive and some are negative. The positive impacts are:

a. With the rule of staying at home makes people more religious.

b. People are getting used to living a clean and healthy lifestyle.

c. Make people more patient in facing trials.

d. Closer to family.

   In addition to the positive impact, the Covid-19 pandemic also has negative impacts on society, such as:

a. Scheduled activities must be postponed.

b. The inhibition of direct contact and communication between communities.

c. Economic downturn.[6]

d. The cessation of community routines in various fields, for example in the religious field, is temporarily eliminating tahlil, recitations, and other activities that involve many people.

 

[6] Ramelia,"Dampak covid-19 terhadap kegiatan masyarakat di Lubuklinggau",

https://jurnal.syntax-idea.co.id/index.php/syntax-idea/article/view/1076/660, 14/12/2021, 22:43

4. The Covid-19 Pandemic Against the Tahlil Tradition of the Purwojati Hamlet

 

   The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on the tahlil tradition that is usually practiced by Muslims in Indonesia, including the Purwojati Hamlet community in Dukuh Dempok Village, Wuluhan District, Jember Regency. Tahlil which is usually held every Friday night after maghrib must be temporarily suspended. This is done to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19. In addition, the temporary abolition of tahlil also aims to avoid crowds, direct contact and comply with health protocol policies.

   Community leaders in the hamlet did not remain silent in responding to this problem, they encouraged their residents to continue to carry out tahlil at their respective homes while praying for protection and avoiding disease outbreaks.

   The community can also take alternative paths, such as, the implementation of tahlil is led by the head of the family and the congregation consists of family members who are at home. Local community leaders also gave an understanding that tahlil does not have to involve many people, especially during a pandemic. Enough with family members in the house is sufficient.

   However, along with the reduced number of Covid-19 cases, the reason for re-implementing tahlil in the Purwojati Hamlet community. This policy was well received by the local community. The community began to hold tahlil which had been temporarily suspended. Even though it is allowed, the public is advised not to ignore health protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining distance and washing hands.

   In addition to implementing health protocols, the public is also advised not to eat food in places so as not to cause crowds. Food that is usually eaten at the tahlil majlis, is now served to take home. Likewise with drinks that have been packaged together with food.

 

C. CONCLUSION

 

   There are many traditions of Indonesian society that are still being maintained. Likewise with Indonesian Muslims who have diverse traditions. One of the Muslim traditions, especially in Java, is Tahlil. Tahlil is said to be a tradition because from the past until now it is still being maintained.

   Tahlil is a common activity held by Muslims in Indonesia. The contents of the tahlil series are the reading of dhikr, verses of the Qur'an, the sentence of monotheism and ending with a prayer. Tahlil is usually held once a week on Friday night after maghrib.

   With the outbreak of the Corona virus, many community activities have to be postponed or even threatened with cancellation, one of which is tahlil. If tahlil is usually carried out regularly once a week in congregation, during a pandemic tahlil will still be carried out but on a smaller scale, namely in their respective homes.

   Under new normal conditions, tahlil will be held in turns at residents' homes, but do not neglect health protocols, such as wearing masks, keeping a distance and washing hands. Food that is usually served as a buffet, is converted into catering to be eaten at home, as well as drinks that have been provided along with the food.

 

                         

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

 

• Fitrarich.2019"Asal Usul Tradisi Tahlilan di Pulau Jawa". https://www.viva.co.id/vstory/sejarahvstory/1176230-asal-usul-tradisi-tahlilan-di-tanah-jawa  .27/11/2021.15:14.
• Muslim shohih._. "Hadist Shahih Muslim no.4862- Kitab dzikir, do'a, taubat dan istighfar.", https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim/4862. 12/12/2021. 14:08
• Nizarino.Fajar.2021. "Pengertian Tradisi".https://www.kozio.com/term/tradisi/ 27/11/2021,00:48.
• Ramelia.2021. "Dampak covid-19 terhadap kegiatan masyarakat di Lubuklinggau" https://jurnal.syntax-idea.co.id/index.php/syntax-idea/article/view/1076/660. 14/12/2021.22:43.
• Setiawan.Ebta._. "Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia". https://kbbi.web.id/tradisi .27/11/2021.00:38.
• Yasinat.PonPes Al-Burhany.2018. "Syifana". ad.shodiaz.Jember.hal 44-53