Halal Bi Halal, The Way The Indonesian Gather And Giving Forgiveness During The Occasion Of Eid Al Fitr

Nia S. Amira
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It is said, though from Arabic, be sure the Arabs themselves will not understand the true mean­ing of Halal Bi Halal. Religiously this gathering terms was not derived from the holy Qur’an and Hadith, but this is typical expression and creativity of the Indonesian society. Although the origin meaning is “not clear”, Halal Bi Halal is a very good tradition to celebrate, because those who engage are the people who try to practice the teachings of Islam about the good friendship, necessity of mutual forgiveness, mutual justi­fies, and to justify mutual oversight between human beings.

According to Quraish Shihab, who is expert in Interpretation of Is­lam, Halal Bi halal’s goal is to create the harmony amongst humans. In other words, Halal Bi Halal is a gath­ering time for mutual forgiveness at the special occasion of Eid Al Fitr (read: Lebaran) and this is a special tradition of Muslims in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Drs. H. Ibn Djarir from MUI Central Java explained the history or origin of this gathering consists several versions. Accord­ing to a close source to the Palace of Mangkunagara in Surakarta, the tra­dition of Halal Bi Halal originally pi­oneered by KGPAA Mangkunagara I (Sultan of Solo), which was known also as Prince Sambernyawa. To save time, energy, thoughts, and cost, after Eid prayers a special gathering was held between the King (Sultan) with the courtier and soldiers simultaneously in the palace’s hall. All the court­ier and soldiers orderly giving their respectful to the King and Queen (read: Bow to the King and Queen). The gathering ver­sion of Prince Sambernyawa was later imitated by all Islamic organi­zation, in terms of religious gather­ing or well-known as Halal Bi halal.

Likewise, the gathering was held by the alumni of SMAN 28 Jakarta on Satur­day, July 30, 2016. Halal bi Halal brought 12 classes after decades and separated by dis­tance and time, finally that hap­py moment arrived. Friends, best friends met each other in a joyful feeling; jokes, sang songs, laughed happily, everything is soluble in happiness. Millions of month have faded away, 379 Full Moons have passed. Longing for the beloved has been healed, true friends have re­turned.