“Peace be upon you…”
I said, my voice trembling slightly. After knocking on Ustad Faqih Harwansyah's door, there was still no answer from inside.
“Peace be upon you…”
I repeated the greeting flatly. After a few minutes of waiting, Ustad Faqih's voice answered my greeting from inside. He opened the door for a moment, glanced at us with slightly furrowed brows, then invited us to sit on the front porch. He returned shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Abridin and Mukhlis looked awkward. They were still mumbling, memorizing the Arabic text for their speech, as they were scheduled to speak in Arabic the following Thursday.
"Hush, I'll memorize it later. What will happen if Ustad Faqih asks about the English homework?" I asked Abridin and Mukhlis. They seemed to ignore me. They looked indifferent. They just kept memorizing the Arabic speech. I gave in. I saw the seriousness on their faces. Seriousness so they wouldn't be punished tomorrow for not being able to speak in Arabic. Only seriousness could save them or the other students from the disaster of muhadhoroh. If they didn't seriously memorize, be prepared to receive the punishment they deserved.
"Why only three of us? Where are the others? Why didn't they come? Aren't you from Ibn Sina's group?" Ustad Faqih asked, suddenly opening the door and taking a seat on a chair. In his hand was a notebook. We could confirm it was a diary about us as his students. The diary was for recording important things outside of formal lessons. For example, our discipline, our unity during study, students who were invisible, lazy, students who had problems, and also who were diligent, persistent, intelligent, and hardworking.
"Yes, Ustad, we are from the Ibn Sina group," Mukhlis replied flatly. "Friends from the Imam Syafi'i, Imam Ghazali, and Imam Hambali groups are getting ready to come here, Ustad." He explained further. "Oh, I see. While we wait for our friends from the other groups, I would like the Ibn Sina group to open our study discussion tonight."
We stared at each other. I saw Abridi and Mukhlis tense. So did they. Ustad Faqih seemed to be sitting relaxed on a chair. He could read the suddenly tense atmosphere. Meanwhile, the three of us were still throwing signs with codes and codes that don't exist in the world of scouting. The atmosphere was still awkward. We were completely at a loss. It seemed we had been trapped in a panel discussion where the speaker couldn't answer the questions from the participants. Our pores began to water. Tense sweat poured out, soaking our bodies. Oh... what fate has come to this. In the midst of this confusion, a sudden voice called out, "Greetings."
“Assalamu alaikum… Ustad”
“Waalaikumsalam…” we and Ustad Faqih answered in unison.
It turned out that Abdul Ziad and his friends had arrived. They immediately shook Ustad Faqih's hand. We stood to greet them. Broad smiles spread across our faces. They were like Sun Go Kong's heroes, always coming to the aid of their teacher Tom Sam Chong when he encountered difficulties. Not like the Indian police who arrived after the riot had ended. After we all sat down neatly and went into our respective groups, Ustad Faqih seemed to adjust his seat.
“Night study is mandatory. Never underestimate it. Every night after Isha prayer, everyone must study here. They must also arrive in unison. No one can be late. You know the reason I named the study group after Ibn Sina, Imam Maliki, Imam Ghazali, Imam Hambali, and Imam Syafi'i. Because they are intelligent people and great scholars. They are great Muslim scholars. I want you to be like them. To become doctors like Ibn Sina, to understand the science of fiqh, hadith, creed, sharia, and Islamic law like Imam Ghazali, Imam Maliki, and Imam Syafi'i. Fahimtum,” asked Ustad Faqih.
"Fahimna Ustad" we answered enthusiastically.
"Alright, tomorrow night, the group assigned to be the discussion presenter must be prepared. Don't be late again. You, Mukhlis... What's the name of your group?"
"Ibn Zina, Ustad," Mukhlis answered firmly.
The tense atmosphere suddenly erupted with laughter. Mukhlis's confident answer unexpectedly enlivened the evening's gathering. Changing the word "Ibn Sina" to "Ibn Zina" was completely unexpected. Mukhlis's answer was too eloquent. He thought "Ibn Zina" was the correct answer. But who knows... Mukhlis is always up to something. Ustad Faqih appeared to be holding back his laughter with a faint smile. But one could tell that the smile hid more laughter.
A night full of drama
To be Continued
