Condition
of mosleem community today admitted by Muslim scientists themselves. According
to Harun Nasution, there are three historical periods Muslims. First, the
classical period (year 650-1250) is characterized by creativity and a high work
ethic, Islam politically and economically superior, advanced trade with the
West and China, and among friends is a positive figure on the world. Theology
that developed in the classical era is sunnatullah theology or theology that is
based on natural law (natural law). Secondly, the middle period (year 1250-1800)
is characterized by declining work ethic, pessimistic and negative for the
world, as well as the development of Sufi Jabariyah, and theology-fatalistic
determinists. Finally, the modern period (starting year 1800 - until now) then
raised awareness about the weakness of Islam, but it has never again reached
the glories such as the classical period.
Countries
belonging to the dominant Muslim population in the Organisation of the Islamic
Conference with 57 members having such a huge potential, because it controls 70
percent of world energy resources and 40 percent of export material. However,
most of the developing countries included in the class even among poor
countries. Only nine Muslim countries in the world including in the advanced
group. Meanwhile, 40 percent of the world Muslim population is still illiterate
and living below the poverty line on less than one dollar per day.
Poverty,
economic inequality, and conflict and violence in Muslim lands familiar. This
condition is exacerbated by the attitude of Islamic countries that tend is, and
selfish. It makes the country vulnerable Muslim face of globalization and just
be a group of fringe and brittle.
Sociologist
Max Weber who was known for his book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of
Capitalism, considered that Islam does not produce capitalism. There is no
ascetic in Islam, and capitalism has been aborted from the womb of Islam.
Slanted stories about Muslims also we hear for example from BB Harring, James L
Peacock, Rosemary Firth and Clive Kessler. Harring even mention Islam as cultural
intruder.
But
Weber considered not scientific opinion. This criticism does not only come from
Muslims, even among sociologists themselves. Weber exposure on the ethics of
Islam is incorrect and superficial analysis. One of the sociologists who
criticize Weber is Bryan S. Turner. Weber assessed treat and interpret Islam in
fact very weak not like he was analyzing Calvinism in the Protestant ethic.
Another criticism came from Huff and Schluchter that assess search Weber on
Islam is not yet complete.
Nurcholis
mosque was in line with this criticism. Weber weakness is that he put together
the ingredients of the discipline of sociology that only France, but the French
people that the sociology of Islam has not been realized, because only the work
of individuals colonial officials for indigenous affairs, social researcher
amateur, and the Orientalists; instead of the sociology. And that's limited to
just the North African region. It is also supported Marshall G.S. Hodgson, an
expert on Islamic history and civilization in his book "The Venture of
Islam".
Long
after the work of Weber, appeared a few posts that mentioned the existence of
"Protestant ethic" among Muslims. Example of observation in Muslim
Turkey. They found a group of successful entrepreneurs Muslims in the region.
This paper calls it the resurrection because of the "Islamic
Calvinists."
Purpose
of this book
My
ultimate goal is that work and hard work is the core of Muslim civilization. Do
not be lazy to work hard for fear of being rich, because so much can be done if
you are rich. This book is not how to be a hard worker, but why the need to
work hard and how to generate a culture of hard work.
To
go into rahmatan lil 'alamin, how could be achieved if only hard to take care
of themselves. Until now we have always been a nation of debtors and
beneficiaries. We should not just poor regardless of the stamp, but must give and
share his wealth with others. We should not be dominated, but must take the
lead and be the torch. We should no longer colonized nation, but should be
lightening civilization. And so on.
A hadith relates that later
in the day of Resurrection, the blood of martyrs and the ink of scholars (the
magicians) will be weighed. When that moment arrives, there will be a stunning
episode, the ink of scholars is more "heavy" (more noble) than the
blood of martyrs. Qur'an much glorified among scholars than those predicated
believer though. Writing this book was also guided by this Spririt. *****