Menghilang, Menemukan Diri Sejati: A Superficial Point of View
Currently, I’m working through my reading list and just finished “Menghilang, Menemukan Diri Sejati” by Fahruddin Faiz. This is my 17th book of the year, and I looked forward to dive into it. The author is someone I consider to be my online philosophy teacher, as I used to listen to his podcast on Mesjid Jenderal Sudirman. His episodes have truly influenced my today’s paradigm. That’s why I was excited to see what insights the book would offer. I hoped it would provide me with some much-needed spiritual enlightenment, as my life has been feeling dull lately. So why didn’t I take some time to listen to the baba guru and learn from his wisdom?
Exploring Alternative Meaning of Life
This book presents multiple approaches to dealing with life. Faiz has organized it into eight primary sections, drawing from Western philosophers like Camus and Descartes and Eastern philosophies such as Zen, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bushido.
Faiz’s communication style
This is what I like about the author. I appreciate Faiz’s communication style, which is very Javanese in its down-to-earth and humble. This is not meant to sound stereotypical but rather an observation based on the lectures he gave. His speaking is similar to many other Javanese people I have met, and of course, it’s truly comforting.
Besides that, he has the ability to chunk heavy abstract concepts into sized-bite notions. So, even if you’re 13, you probably can comprehend what those major philosophies tried to say. You know, not every teacher could do that. And he kinda nailed it.
But…. that’s the thing.
I realized translating and converting to the local context is quite tricky. Moreover, Faiz’s audiences are mostly young Muslim adults who are familiar enough with Islamic terminologies, which creates a little tangled problem when he mixes the lingos and non-islamic essential concepts.
From what I read, his communication style is, again, incredible, but that doesn’t quite match up with his perspective.
Let me explain why:
Ustadzplaining
Yes, that’s right! I came up with the term “ustadzplaining” by combining “ustadz” and “-splaining.” “Ustadz” means teacher in Arabic, and “-splaining” is a term borrowed from the feminist concept. It refers to explaining something in a condescending, overconfident, and often inaccurate or oversimplified way. So, I think “ustadzplaining” is the perfect word to describe this kind of behavior.
He tends to equate non-Islamic concepts with similar ones in Islamic teachings. For example, he sees Jnana Yoga as comparable to Ma’rifat in Tasawuf, Moksha as similar to ilai’hi raji’un (divine transcendence), and wu wei as living naturally according to the way Islam teaches in God’s Sunnatullah.
This approach to combine ideas from different communities (Islam and non-Islam) is a fascinating concept that undoubtedly deserves deeper exploration. However, it is crucial to consider the potential impact of this approach on individuals from those communities.
In this manner, Faiz stated that “this does not mean mixing others’ teachings with Islam, and it’s called passing over.” But rather than passing those over, it appears that he is attempting to explain other communities beyond his own belief system of Islam, raising questions about his claims’ legitimacy. By employing “others” terminologies, Faiz may be overreaching in his efforts to describe these communities and their beliefs. That could oversimplify and give inaccurate representation as we assume we can speak on others’ behalf.
Nevertheless, I must admit that I can only regard his writing as an external observation of his surface-level of others beliefs. Because it’s also beyond my capacity to verify the veracity of his ideas in different contexts. Perhaps individuals from the Hindu, Buddha, and other communities he expounded on — could shed more light on his work.
Another trivial complain
In my personal opinion, Faiz sometimes lacks sensitivity when addressing the struggles of others, occasionally even belittling them. I know the Javanese and Tasawuf concept of submitting to a higher power is essential for a peaceful life, but it’s also important not to dismiss the hardships of others. For instance, in the section of Seven Society’s Sins (page 252), Faiz mentions the fifth sin of being wealthy without working (which sounds similar to the Christian’s concept of the Seven Deadly Sins).
However, instead of delving into how those with wealth and power can lead indulgent lives without contributing to society, Faiz simplifies the issue by pointing fingers at the working class for complaining about their wages. This not only fails to address the root of the problem but also targets the wrong group of people. It feels like — reading this while also being the working class (moreover at the stage of having empty life) would make us become more powerless. As I can not demand what I deserve. Personally, it’s dragging me to deeper pit of desperate (｡•́︿•̀｡).
Anyway, there is actually more than that, but I have delivered my main concern: his superficial views toward other communities.
I meant, I even feel cringe if non-Muslim try to explain how’s like being a Muslim eventhough they’re not Muslim. So, likewise. As a Muslim, maybe we don’t have capacity to explain others’ experience unless directly ask them. That’s it.(・–・;)ゞ
Do I recommend it?
For people who want an alternative explanation, you can take it. But it might be better to enrich with other og sources :p
So, it’s 2.5/5
