KETIKA SANTRI MULAI JARANG SOWAN KE KYAI
Ada fenomena yang sering kita saksikan namun jarang dibicarakan. Dulu saat masih menjadi santri, seseorang begitu hormat kepada gurunya. Duduk dengan sopan, setia menunggu nasihat, dan merasa bahagia hanya karena dipanggil namanya.
Namun seiring waktu, setelah menjadi alumni, memiliki jabatan, gelar, atau usaha yang maju, langkah menuju rumah guru perlahan menghilang. Bukan karena tempatnya yang berpindah, melainkan karena isi hati yang berubah.
Mulai merasa "sudah cukup ilmu", merasa mampu berdiri sendiri, dan merasa tidak lagi butuh bimbingan. Padahal Allah berfirman:
"Di atas setiap orang yang berilmu masih ada yang lebih berilmu." (QS. Yusuf: 76)
Ilmu yang sejati seharusnya melahirkan kerendahan hati, bukan kesombongan. Seperti kata Imam Malik:
"Aku belajar adab selama 30 tahun, dan belajar ilmu selama 20 tahun."
Ironi: Ingat Guru Hanya Saat Susah
Yang paling menyedihkan adalah ketika seorang murid hanya ingat kepada guru saat dirinya sedang ditimpa masalah.
- Saat rezeki lancar, usaha maju, hidup bahagia — bertahun-tahun tak pernah sowan.
- Saat musibah datang, usaha bangkrut, atau hati resah — tiba-tiba guru menjadi orang pertama yang dicari.
Sungguh ironi: Ketika lapang ia lupa, ketika sempit ia ingat.
Padahal hubungan murid dan guru bukanlah hubungan transaksional. Kita tidak datang hanya untuk "mengambil manfaat" saat butuh, lalu pergi saat sudah selesai. Murid yang tulus datang bukan hanya untuk meminta solusi, tapi sekadar ingin bersalaman, mencium tangan, dan menanyakan kabar karena rasa hormat dan rindu.
Jangan Tukar Guru Hanya Karena "Lebih Hebat"
Masih ada yang lebih memprihatinkan: ada murid yang perlahan melupakan gurunya sendiri karena terpikat oleh guru lain yang dianggap lebih terkenal, lebih masyhur karamahnya, atau lebih banyak pengikutnya.
Memang benar, banyak ulama hebat di luar sana. Namun jangan pernah lupa: Guru pertamamu memiliki ikatan ruhani yang tidak dimiliki orang lain.
Beliaulah yang sabar mengajarimu dari huruf demi huruf saat kau masih bodoh. Beliaulah yang mendoakanmu saat namamu belum dikenal siapa pun. Keberkahan ilmu yang kau miliki sekarang bermula dari tangan beliau.
Satu Kesalahan, Seribu Kebaikan Lupa
Lebih menyedihkan lagi ketika ada murid yang berubah menjadi penentang. Hanya karena melihat satu kesalahan atau kekhilafan guru, seribu kebaikan yang pernah diterima seakan hilang begitu saja.
Ingatlah kata Imam Asy-Syafi'i:
"Siapakah manusia yang sifatnya sempurna 100% tanpa cela?"
Guru tetap manusia biasa yang bisa salah. Namun satu kekurangan tidak boleh menghapus lautan jasa dan kebaikan yang pernah diberikan.
Guru Kita Tetap Guru Kita
Sehebat apa pun kamu sekarang, setinggi apa pun jabatanmu, di hadapan gurumu, kamu tetaplah seorang murid.
- Guru mungkin tidak membutuhkan uang atau hadiahmu.
- Guru mungkin tidak membutuhkan pujianmu.
Tapi kamulah yang membutuhkan doa dan ridho mereka.
Selama guru masih hidup, sempatkanlah sowan. Jangan menunggu beliau masuk ke dalam liang lahat baru kau datang dengan penyesalan. Ingatlah, banyak orang kehilangan keberkahan ilmunya bukan karena kurang pintar, tapi karena lupa dan menyakiti hati orang yang dahulu mengajarkannya.
"Jangan menunggu gurumu berada di dalam kubur untuk menyadari bahwa tidak semua orang yang kau kagumi hari ini pernah benar-benar mencintaimu dan mendoakanmu sebagaimana gurumu dahulu."
ENGLISH
WHEN STUDENTS STOP VISITING THEIR TEACHERS
There is a phenomenon we often see but rarely discuss openly. When they were still students (santri), they were so respectful towards their teachers. They sat humbly, waited patiently for advice, and felt honored just to be called by their names.
However, over time, after graduating, gaining positions, titles, or successful businesses, their steps towards their teacher's home slowly fade away. It is not because the location has changed, but because what is inside their hearts has changed.
They begin to feel they "know enough," feel capable of standing on their own, and think they no longer need guidance. Yet Allah says:
"And above every person of knowledge, there is one more learned." (Surah Yusuf: 76)
True knowledge should produce humility, not arrogance. As Imam Malik said:
"I learned manners and ethics for thirty years, and I learned knowledge for twenty years."
The Irony: Remembering Teachers Only in Hard Times
What is most saddening is when a student only remembers their teacher when they are facing problems.
- When life is easy, business is booming, and everything is going well — they may not visit for years.
- When disaster strikes, business fails, or the heart is troubled — suddenly the teacher becomes the first person they look for.
It is truly ironic: When things are easy, they forget. When things are hard, they remember.
Yet the relationship between student and teacher is not transactional. We should not come only to "take benefits" when in need, then leave when it is over. A sincere student visits not just to ask for solutions, but simply to shake hands, kiss the hand, and ask how the teacher is doing, out of pure respect and love.
Do Not Exchange Your Teacher for Someone "Greater"
Even more concerning are those who slowly forget their original teacher because they are attracted to other scholars who seem more famous, have more miracles (karamah), or have larger followings.
It is true that there are many great scholars out there. But never forget: Your first teacher has a spiritual bond that no one else possesses.
It was they who patiently taught you letter by letter when you knew nothing. It was they who prayed for you when your name was unknown to the world. The blessings of the knowledge you hold today started from their hands.
One Mistake, A Thousand Kindnesses Forgotten
It is even more painful to see students turn against their teachers. Just because they see one mistake or flaw, thousands of kindnesses they received seem to vanish completely.
Remember the words of Imam Al-Shafi'i:
"Who is the human being whose character is perfect without any flaw?"
Teachers are still human; they can make mistakes. But one shortcoming should never erase the ocean of goodness and service they have given you.
Our Teacher Will Always Be Our Teacher
No matter how great you become today, no matter how high your status is, in front of your teacher, you will always remain a student.
- The teacher may not need your money or gifts.
- The teacher may not need your praise.
But you are the one who needs their prayers and their pleasure (ridho).
As long as your teacher is still alive, make time to visit. Do not wait until they are in their grave to come with regret. Remember, many people lose the blessings of their knowledge not because they lack intelligence, but because they forgot or hurt the feelings of those who taught them.
"Do not wait until your teacher is buried to realize that not everyone you admire today truly loved you and prayed for you the way your teacher did back then"
DALIL
وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ
"Di atas setiap orang yang berilmu masih ada yang lebih berilmu." (QS. Yusuf: 76)
"And above every person of knowledge, there is one more learned."
(Surah Yusuf: 76)
تَعَلَّمْتُ الْأَدَبَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَتَعَلَّمْتُ الْعِلْمَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً
"Aku belajar budi pekerti selama tiga puluh tahun dan belajar ilmu selama dua puluh tahun."
"I learned good manners and character for thirty years, and I learned knowledge for twenty years"
مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي تُرْضَى سَجَايَاهُ كُلُّهَا
"Siapakah manusia yang seluruh sifatnya sempurna tanpa cela?"
"Who is the human being whose entire character is perfect and flawless?"
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