Using ‘Privilege’ for Obedience (Sec. 1)

In this life, not everyone starts from the same point. Some were born into prominent families, some grew up in simplicity. Some have access to higher education, others have had to struggle since childhood. Some have extensive relationships, strategic positions, social influence and economic convenience.

Nowadays, the terms that are often used are privilegenamely privileges or conveniences that a person has because of family background, economics, education, relationships, or social position.

However, in the Islamic view, privilege not just luck. This is a test. That is trust. That is something that will later be questioned in detail before Allah. Allah Azza from Jalla said,

It is He who made you successors on earth and raised some of you above others in degrees, so that He might test you on what He has given you.

“It is He who made you caliphs on earth and raised some of you above others by degrees, to test you on what He gave you.” (QS. Al-An’am: 165)

The difference in degree is not merely an advantage. In essence it is all a test. Allah Azza from Jalla said,

Then that day you will be asked about happiness.

“Then on that day you will definitely be asked about all the blessings.” (QS. At-Takatsur: 8)

Privilege not a guarantee of success

Often someone feels proud of their privileges. Position, wealth, higher education, extensive network, or access to power makes him feel superior. True glory remains determined by piety,

“Indeed, the most noble person in the sight of Allah is the most pious person.”

“Indeed, the most noble person in the sight of Allah is the most pious person.” (QS. Al-Hujurat: 13)

Not the richest. Not the most famous. Not the most influential. Glory in God’s eyes is not determined by privilege, But how privilege it is used.

Property as privilege

Property is one privilege greatest in life. Even for some people, privilege the greatest is when you have abundant wealth. Even though wealth is a slander for Muslims. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Every nation has temptations, and my nation’s temptation is money

“Every ummah has its fitnah (test), and the slander of my ummah is a treasure.” (HR. Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i, and Ahmad)

Wealth is not just a pleasure. This is a question that must be answered. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

A servant’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about his life and how he spent it, about his knowledge and how he did it, about his wealth, where he got it from and what he spent it on, and about his body and how he used it.

“There will be no movement of a servant’s feet on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things: about his age, what he spent it on; about his knowledge, what he practiced; about his wealth, where he got it from and what he spent it on; and about his body, what he used it for.” (HR. Tirmidhi)

Remember that all enjoyment, especially wealth, is purely from Allah Azza from Jalla. Allah Azza from Jalla said,

And He has given you everything you asked for. And if you count Allah’s blessings, you will certainly not be able to count them.

“He has given you everything you asked for. If you counted Allah’s blessings, you would not be able to count them.” (QS. Ibrahim: 34)

If someone has ample wealth, then he has a great opportunity to give charity, build mosques, help with education, help the poor, and finance da’wah. And in fact Allah will multiply the wealth used in the way of Allah. Allah Azza from Jalla said,

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that sprouts seven spikes, and in each spike there are a hundred seeds. And Allah multiplies for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.

“The parable of a person who spends his wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed that grows seven stalks, each stalk has a hundred seeds. Allah multiplies it for whom He wills, and Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 261)

Privilege Treasure can be a way to heaven if it is used for alms, helping preach, and helping the weak. But it can be the cause of destruction if it gives birth to excessive pride and love of the world. Allah reminds us in His words,

And let not those who are stingy with what Allah has given them from His grace think that it is good for them. On the contrary, it is bad for them. They will be surrounded by what they were stingy with on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the inheritance of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing of what you do.

“Never should stingy people with the wealth that Allah has bestowed from His grace think that stinginess is good for them. In fact, stinginess is bad for them. The wealth they stingy with will be placed around their necks on the Day of Resurrection. (QS. Ali ‘Imran: 180)

Science and education as privilege

In the modern era, education is privilege big. Not everyone has the same access to quality education. And people who get privilege You should be able to make the best use of this. Allah Azza from Jalla said,

Say: Are those who know the same as those who do not know?

“Say: what do people who know and people who don’t know have in common?” (QS. Az-Zumar: 9)

Allah Azza from Jalla also said,

Allah will elevate those who believe among you and those who are given knowledge by several degrees.

“Allah will raise the status of those who believe and those who are given knowledge by several degrees.” (QS. Al-Mujadilah: 11)

However, knowledge is not for personal pride. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam warn,

Whoever studies knowledge for the sake of the face of God Almighty, and does not study it except to gain profit from this world, will not obtain the knowledge of heaven on the Day of Resurrection. I mean, the smell

“Whoever studies a knowledge that should be required to seek the face of Allah (for Allah), but he studies it only to gain worldly interests, then he will not smell the aroma of heaven on the Day of Resurrection.” What is meant by ‘araf al-jannah is the fragrance of heaven. (HR. Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad)

Privilege Knowledge should give birth to care, not arrogance. He must make a person more humble, more patient in teaching, gentler in advising, and more sincere in serving the people. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Believers are harmonious and harmonious, and there is no good for people who are not harmonious and do not get along, and the best of people are those who are most beneficial to humans.

“A believer is easy to get along with and is liked (able to establish closeness with other people). There is no goodness in people who cannot get along and are not liked. And the best people are those who are most beneficial to humans.” (HR. Ath-Thabrani)

And this applies to all fields of science, not just religious sciences. Medical science should create empathy for patients, not just professional prestige. Legal science should uphold justice, not be a tool for playing with interests. Economics should bring prosperity, not widen inequality. Education should educate and shape morals, not just produce grades. Technology should make human life easier, not increase damage or spread evil.

In every discipline, knowledge is light. However, this light can be a light or a fire for pride, depending on the intention and how to use it. People who are knowledgeable but don’t care about humans, actually don’t understand the nature of their knowledge.

Therefore, anyone who is given an advantage in knowledge should continue to ask himself:

Does my knowledge make things easier for others?

Does it solve a problem, lighten a burden, or open a path to goodness?

Or is it just a matter of personal pride, a display of title, and a source of praise?

Privilege positions and titles are heavy mandates

One of privilege The biggest is position and position. Whether as an official, leader, community figure, influential businessman or public figure. Rasulullah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

It is a trust, and on the Day of Resurrection there will be shame and regret, unless the person takes it as it should and pays back what is owed.

“Indeed, it is a trust, and on the Day of Resurrection it will be disgrace and regret, except for those who take it by right and fulfill their obligations therein.” (HR. Muslim)

In another hadith, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.

“Each of you is a leader and each of you will be held accountable for those he leads.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)

Unfortunately, many people chase positions and positions because they see the honor and facilities. Even though behind that there is a very heavy responsibility. Power can be a way to heaven for people who are just, trustworthy and fear God. But it can also be a cause of destruction for people who are unjust, arrogant and abuse it.

The department is not about being served, but about serving. It’s not about being respected, it’s about carrying the burden. It’s not about enriching yourself, but about extending benefits.

Therefore, whoever is given privilege power, I should always ask: does this position bring me closer to Allah, or does it distance me? Is it a way of justice, or a means of personal interest?

If someone has privilege in the form of a position, he has a great opportunity to uphold justice and prevent injustice. Allah Azza from Jalla said,

Indeed, Allah commands justice and righteousness.

“Indeed, Allah commands justice and goodness.” (QS. An-Nahl: 90)

Remember the rewards for just leaders in the hadith of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam,

There were seven people whom Allah gave shelter under His shade on a day when there was no shade but His shade: a just priest.

“Seven groups that Allah will shelter under His shade on a day where there will be no shade except His shade: (the first) pious leaders…” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)

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Writer: Gazzeta Raka Putra Setyawan

Article Muslim.or.id