Numerous adjustments have been made to ensure the continuation of positive activities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. What was once conducted in person has now transitioned to virtual platforms. Nevertheless, the committee and participants of the Shariah Economic Fair (SEF) 2020 remained undeterred. Among the events that took place on October 28, 2020, was the Kultum (religious sermon) and Khatm al-Qur’an at 7:30 PM WIB.

The event was attended by over 40 Sharia economics students via live Google Meet. The session commenced with an opening address and proceeded with a prayer to conclude the recitation of the Qur’an. Yusuf Naufal, a Sharia Economics student of the 2017 class, led the prayer. The recitation of the Qur’an spanned approximately 2 weeks and was completed twice, culminating in a collective virtual prayer. Despite encountering minor obstacles, the prayer recitation proceeded smoothly.

The first Kultum (religious sermon) was delivered by Ahmad Fajar Ahsan, an Islamic Economics student from the 2018 class. He is also a student at the Ali Maksum Islamic Boarding School in Yogyakarta. The theme was the relationship between humans and religion. In our world, various relationships exist, whether in religious or social contexts. First, khablu minnallah, humans pray and seek from Allah, and when they err, they must seek His forgiveness. Second, khablu minannaas, in their daily lives, humans coexist and require each other's assistance. Third, khablu minal 'alam, on earth, plants and animals are living beings that benefit humans and the earth.

Therefore, plants and animals must be preserved and cared for, and cleanliness must not be overlooked.
In their daily lives, humans form relationships with others (Ukhuwwah). As mentioned earlier, there are different types of ukhuwah: ukhuwwah kholqiyah (with Allah), ukhuwwah basyariah (with humans), ukhuwwah islamiyah (with fellow Muslims), and ukhuwwah wataniyah (with the country). The latter emphasizes the importance of obeying virtuous leaders in accordance with the teachings and commands of Allah.

The following theme was the spirit of seeking knowledge, as presented by Fazlurrahman Arqoun, an Islamic Economics student from the 2020 class. Despite being new to his studies, he was resolute in sharing his knowledge. He recounted a tale of a young man and an elder in a village. The young man, fervent in his pursuit of knowledge, consistently felt ignorant and remained dedicated to learning, despite the challenges. Conversely, the elder grew weary of the difficulties of learning and embraced idleness. However, the elder held a position as the deputy head of the neighborhood association. During a village gathering, the young man consistently offered opinions and solutions to the village's problems, while the elder, in his official capacity, did not contribute any solutions. The wisdom and lesson to be gleaned from this is that العَالِمُ كَبِيْرٌ وَإِنْ كَانَ حَدَثًا. وَالْجَاهِلُ صَغِيْرٌ وَإِنْ كَانَ شَيْخًا, which translates to "a knowledgeable person is great even if they are young, and an ignorant person is small even if they are old." Therefore, knowledge elevates a person's nobility.

Fazlur also referenced quotes from Mahfudhat, a collection of pearls of wisdom. Another illustration of the spirit of seeking knowledge was a quote attributed to the mother of Imam Syafi’i, conveying that those who cannot endure the discomfort of learning will experience the regret of ignorance throughout their lives. This underscores the consequences of laziness in youth. The purpose of learning lies in dispelling ignorance, applying acquired knowledge, and sharing it for the benefit of others. Upon a person's passing, only three things endure: continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, and righteous children who pray for their parents.

The wisdom gleaned from the Kultum and Khatm Al-Qur’an activities is to enhance worship, fortify the bonds of friendship, and expand our knowledge. These activities serve as reminders for Muslims of the teachings imparted by Allah through His messenger, Prophet Muhammad, and the scholars of the past.

Author: Hanifa Salsabila