Book Review: Belajar Dari Dua Umar

Alhamdulillah, finished reading a very nice book. At first glance, I really thought it was about two well-known Caliph, Umar Al-Khattab and Umar Abd Al-Aziz. Well, I was quite there, but not perfectly correct.

The book is entitled as such, but inside are examples from the Sirah Nabawiyyah or the History of the Prophets and the Brotherhood, as well as several ample examples from other historical Islamic figures. Still, if it just write examples, it may not mean much to me, since there are loads of Sirah books available, such as Sirah Nabawiyyah by Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz, or even the famous Fiqh Sirah by Dr Sa'id Ramadhan Al-Bouti, but this book studied the meaning and justification behind each examples, and relates them to events happening nowadays. (The events are randomly events in Indonesia, since the writer, Hepi Andi Bastoni is an Indonesian, but that pretty good enough).

If other Sirah books explain the history of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w in general, this book focuses on the umara' side, or leadership in English. The book covered not only the history of the Prophet s.a.w, but also some of notable among the Brotherhoods, such as Ubaidah Al-Jarrah, Umar Al-Khattab, Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, as well as other famous caliphs; among them Umar Abd Al-Aziz and Harun al-Rasyid.

Inside the book are details on how an Islamic political figure, or an Islamic leader among Muslim society, or in a Muslim/Islamic country should behave and act. There are also examples that Muslims as a society need to focus, to be the revered Muslims. Nowadays it must be said that Islam is no more than just a religion, when Islam beforehand was more than just religion; it is the way of life. A Muslim practitioner practices Islam as soon as he wakes up and ends when he sleeps. Doa taught by Prophet s.a.w, or other Prophets a.s,or even by notable ulamas' are spoken for every work we do. And not only that, an Islamic country should be one of the utmost or ultimate dream for every Muslims; a country which not only protects Muslims right and 'ibadah, but also gives fair and just protection to non-Muslims, so long as the non-Muslims does not wage any war. This is shown on how Umar Al-Khattab didn't punish anyone at all when he released Bait Al-Maqdis from the hands of Christians. Instead, he promised and showed respect, honour, fair justice to all commoners in Bait Al-Maqdis. This should be the Islamic country Muslims strive for, with honour.

Though the book quotes "Kenyangkan Perut Rakyat", or "Prioritize the Commoners for Food", I however was quite encaptured by the last paragraph of the last chapter

"Memang, jika tiba saatnya kemenangan pasti datang. Tapi bukan tugas kita untuk menunggu. Kekuasaan itu harus direbut. Kemenangan itu harus disambut. Sekarang saatnya"

or in plain English

"Of course, victory shall prevail comes the right time. But it is not our duty to wait. The power must be grabbed upon. The victory must be strived upon. Now it the time"

p/s: The book is entitled Belajar Dari Dua Umar, written by Hepi Andi Bastoni with exclusive comment by Tuan Guru Dato' Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and published by Anbakri Publika Sdn Bhd(796344-P) with ISBN 978-983-43748-8-4.can be bought for RM15 in West Malaysia and RM17 in Sabah/Sarawak.