Rebo Wekasan Prayer: Guide, Intention & Meaning
Rebo Wekasan is a tradition that is quite well known in Indonesian society, especially among Javanese people. This tradition is carried out on the last Wednesday of Safar. Some people welcome Rebo Wekasan by holding prayers, dhikr, and giving alms with the aim of rejecting reinforcements or calamities that will occur. So, what is Rebo Wekasan, what is the intention of the prayer, and how do you practice it? Let's discuss it in detail.
What is Rebo Wekasan?
Guys, have you ever heard of Rebo Wekasan? Well, Rebo Wekasan, also known as Arba Mustamir which means 'lasting Wednesday', is a tradition that is carried out every last Wednesday of the month of Safar in the Islamic calendar. In Javanese tradition, this day is considered a day when many reinforcements or calamities will occur. Therefore, people usually hold prayers, dhikr together, and give alms to reject reinforcements and ask for protection from Allah SWT. The tradition of Rebo Wekasan is a local tradition that developed in Indonesia, especially among the Javanese community. This tradition is a blend of Islamic teachings and Javanese cultural beliefs. There are various opinions regarding the origin and history of Rebo Wekasan. Some say that this tradition originated from the teachings of a Sufi cleric, while others say that it is a form of acculturation between Islamic and Javanese traditions. Despite the differences in origin, the purpose of Rebo Wekasan remains the same, namely to ask for protection from Allah SWT from all forms of danger and calamity. In its implementation, Rebo Wekasan is usually filled with various activities such as praying together, reading the Quran, giving advice, and holding social activities such as giving alms and helping those in need. This tradition is not only a form of worship but also a means to strengthen social relations and foster a sense of solidarity among community members. However, it is important to remember that in carrying out Rebo Wekasan, we should not deviate from the true Islamic teachings. We must remain focused on worshiping Allah SWT and avoid superstitious actions or beliefs that can damage our faith. So, Rebo Wekasan is a tradition full of meaning and wisdom. By understanding the true meaning and purpose, we can make this tradition a means to get closer to Allah SWT and strengthen social relations with fellow human beings. Don't let this tradition fade away, but let's preserve and develop it in a positive direction.
The Intention of the Rebo Wekasan Prayer
Before performing the prayer, it is important for us to understand and say the intention correctly. The intention of the Rebo Wekasan prayer is to ask for protection and safety from Allah SWT from all calamities that may occur. Here is the reading of the intention:
Arabic:
أُصَلِّى سُنَّةً لِدَفْعِ الْبَلاَءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Latin:
Ushalli sunnatan lidaf'il bala-i rak'ataini lillahi ta'ala.
Meaning:
"I intend to pray sunnah to reject reinforcements, two cycles for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."
By understanding and saying this intention, we hope that our prayer will be more meaningful and accepted by Allah SWT. Remember, intention is the key in every act of worship. With the right intention, we can focus our hearts and minds on worshiping Allah SWT. So, before performing the Rebo Wekasan prayer, make sure we have the correct intention and understand its meaning. With a sincere and focused intention, we hope that our prayer will be a means to gain protection and safety from Allah SWT from all calamities. In addition, we must also remember that prayer is not the only way to avoid calamity. We must also make efforts to improve ourselves, increase our worship, and do good to others. With a combination of prayer and good deeds, we hope that Allah SWT will always protect us from all forms of danger and calamity. So, don't just rely on prayer, but also strive to become better human beings. By doing so, we can truly feel the blessings and protection of Allah SWT in our lives.
How to Pray Rebo Wekasan
So, how do you actually perform the Rebo Wekasan prayer, guys? Don't worry, it's not too difficult! The Rebo Wekasan prayer is performed two cycles like other sunnah prayers. Here's a complete guide:
- Intention: As explained earlier, start by saying the intention of the Rebo Wekasan prayer.
- First Cycle:
- Read the Al-Fatihah letter.
- Read the Al-Kautsar letter 17 times.
- Read the Al-Ikhlas letter 5 times.
- Read the Al-Falaq letter once.
- Read the An-Nas letter once.
- Second Cycle:
- Read the Al-Fatihah letter.
- Read the Al-Ikhlas letter 15 times.
- Read the Al-Falaq letter once.
- Read the An-Nas letter once.
- Salam: After completing the second cycle, close the prayer with a greeting.
- Prayer: After the prayer, continue by praying to Allah SWT to ask for protection and safety from all calamities. You can pray in your own language, expressing all your hopes and desires to Allah SWT. The important thing is that your prayer comes from the heart and is filled with sincerity.
- Closing: It is recommended to close the Rebo Wekasan worship with abundant remembrance and recitation of blessings to the Prophet Muhammad SAW. This is a form of our love and respect for the Prophet, as well as a way to get closer to Allah SWT. By increasing remembrance and reciting blessings, we hope that our worship will be more perfect and accepted by Allah SWT.
Remember, the most important thing in prayer is sincerity and humility before Allah SWT. Perform the prayer with full awareness and devotion, hoping that Allah SWT will grant our prayers and protect us from all harm. Don't just perform the prayer as a mere ritual, but try to understand the meaning and purpose of each movement and reading. With a deep understanding, our prayer will be more meaningful and have a greater impact on our lives. So, let's perform the Rebo Wekasan prayer with sincerity and devotion, hoping that Allah SWT will always be with us and protect us from all calamities. Keep in mind, prayer is the weapon of the believers. With prayer, we can face all the challenges and trials of life. Therefore, let's not forget to always pray in every situation and condition.
Wisdom and Advice in Rebo Wekasan
In addition to prayers and worship, Rebo Wekasan also contains deep wisdom and advice. This tradition reminds us to always be vigilant and careful in living life, as well as to always get closer to Allah SWT. Here are some important points to remember:
- Increase Worship and Good Deeds: Rebo Wekasan is a good time to increase our worship and good deeds. We can fill this day by praying sunnah, reading the Quran, giving alms, and helping those in need. By increasing worship and good deeds, we hope that Allah SWT will love us more and protect us from all harm.
- Reflect and Evaluate Yourself: Rebo Wekasan is also a good time to reflect and evaluate ourselves. We can reflect on all the actions we have done, both good and bad. If there are mistakes, we should immediately ask for forgiveness from Allah SWT and try to improve ourselves in the future. Remember, humans are not perfect and are never free from mistakes. Therefore, we must always be willing to admit our mistakes and learn from them.
- Strengthen Social Relations: Rebo Wekasan can also be used as a momentum to strengthen social relations with family, friends, and neighbors. We can visit each other, forgive each other, and help those who are in trouble. By strengthening social relations, we can create a harmonious and peaceful community. Remember, humans are social creatures who cannot live alone. Therefore, we must always maintain good relations with those around us.
- Be Careful and Vigilant: Rebo Wekasan reminds us to always be careful and vigilant in living life. We must be aware of all the dangers that may threaten us, both physical and spiritual. By being careful and vigilant, we can avoid things that can harm us. However, we must also not be excessive in our caution, to the point of being afraid to live life. We must remain confident and optimistic in facing all the challenges and trials of life.
By understanding and applying this wisdom and advice, we hope that we can become better human beings and always be under the protection of Allah SWT. Rebo Wekasan is not just a tradition that is carried out every year, but also a momentum for us to improve ourselves and get closer to Allah SWT. Therefore, let's make Rebo Wekasan a meaningful and useful tradition in our lives. Don't let this tradition just become a routine activity without any impact on our spiritual and social lives. We must be able to take the positive values contained in Rebo Wekasan and apply them in our daily lives. By doing so, we can truly feel the blessings and benefits of this tradition.
Is Sholat Rebo Wekasan Allowed?
There are differences of opinion among scholars regarding the law of Rebo Wekasan prayer. Some allow it, while others forbid it. The scholars who allow it argue that this prayer is a form of effort to ask for protection from Allah SWT from reinforcements or calamities. They also argue that there is no prohibition against performing sunnah prayers on Rebo Wekasan. On the other hand, the scholars who forbid it argue that there is no basis for this prayer in the Shari'a. They also worry that this prayer can lead to superstitious beliefs that are contrary to Islamic teachings. So, what should we do? In dealing with this difference of opinion, it is best for us to be wise and careful. If we feel more comfortable performing the Rebo Wekasan prayer, then we may do so, as long as we do not believe that this prayer is the only way to avoid calamity. We must remain confident that all reinforcements and calamities come from Allah SWT, and only He can protect us from them. However, if we feel doubtful or worried about this prayer, then it is better for us not to do it. We can replace it with other forms of worship that are more certain of their basis in the Shari'a, such as praying obligatory prayers on time, praying sunnah prayers, reading the Quran, giving alms, and doing other good deeds. The most important thing is that we always strive to get closer to Allah SWT and avoid all things that can damage our faith. Differences of opinion are a natural thing in Islam. Therefore, we must respect each other's opinions and not force our own opinions on others. With mutual respect and tolerance, we can create a harmonious and peaceful community. So, let's be wise in dealing with differences of opinion regarding the law of Rebo Wekasan prayer. The important thing is that we always prioritize the pleasure of Allah SWT and avoid all things that can damage our faith.
Hopefully this article can provide a comprehensive understanding of Rebo Wekasan and its practices. Let's make this tradition a momentum to get closer to Allah SWT and improve ourselves to be better human beings. Good luck practicing it, guys!