Langsa- On Tuesday (16/5/2023), Prof. Dr. Ir. Hamdani, M.T., IPM, the Chancellor of Universitas Samudra(Unsam), led a Peusijuek ceremony for the Pilgrimage Candidates for Hajj from Universitas Samudra. The ceremony took place in Hall I of the Unsam Chancellor’s Bureau.
Among the Pilgrimage Candidates from Universitas Samudra were Muhammad Yakob, S.Pd., M.Hum, accompanied by his wife Yani Rizal, S.E., M.Si; and Agustina Nurul Fajriah, S.E., Ak., M.Ec.Dev, accompanied by her spouse. They were honored to receive Peusijuek blessings from the Chairman of the Samudra Langsa Education Foundation, Drs. Djamaluddin. AR; the Chairperson of the Universitas Samudra Senate, Dr. Bachtiar Akob, M.Pd; the Dean of the Teaching and Education Faculty, Drs. Muhammad Yakob, M.Pd., QIA; and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Universitas Samudra, Makhroji, S.Pd., M.Pd.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of Unsam expressed gratitude to Allah SWT for the upcoming departure of the pilgrims from Unsam. He said, “Alhamdulillah, thanks be to Allah SWT, this year we have been blessed with the opportunity to send three individuals from Universitas Samudra for the pilgrimage. Two individuals are from the Faculty of Economics, and one individual is from FKIP. Through Peusijuek, our bonds of friendship remain strong, supporting and praying for each other, while encouraging acts of kindness.”
He continued, “The journey of patience for the Prospective Hajj Pilgrims begins from the moment they register and spans several years until they are finally called upon. Two years ago, we faced the test of Covid-19, and now, with the increased haj quota, we are grateful to be given this opportunity.”
The Chancellor emphasized that to embark on the holy journey to Mecca, one must begin with a sincere intention and continue to earnestly seek Allah SWT’s guidance. He advised the Pilgrimage Candidates to maintain good health, as the Hajj pilgrimage requires physical strength. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of patience and sincere intentions while intending to visit the holy land, with the hope of achieving a mabrur (accepted) pilgrimage.
Furthermore, Mr. Bustami, S.H., M.A, also delivered a Tausiah (religious advice) to the Prospective Hajj Pilgrims and the audience present. He highlighted the significance of the Peusijuek ceremony, which serves as a friendly gesture and a form of prayer support from friends, whether they have already performed the pilgrimage or are yet to embark on the journey.
“For both ladies and gentlemen who have not embarked on the pilgrimage yet, it is crucial to set a goal and cultivate a strong desire to perform this sacred journey, be it shortly or later.”
“Experience has shown that not everyone who goes for Hajj is wealthy. On the contrary, there are individuals whose occupations involve collecting wages from others. However, due to their unwavering intention to undertake the pilgrimage, they diligently save for an extended period until they can fulfill their aspiration. For those who already have the means to go, I urge you not to delay any further—make your journey without hesitation,” he conveyed in his message.
In addition, Mr. Bustami also emphasized the importance of maintaining good conduct during the pilgrimage. He advised the pilgrims to refrain from uttering vulgar or inappropriate language to abstain from engaging in negative actions, and to avoid arguments. He highlighted that the primary capital for a successful pilgrimage is taqwa (piety) and urged them to have the right intention, which is to worship sincerely in the holy land. By doing so, they can aspire to become a hajj mabrur (accepted and virtuous), as guided by the Qur’an in Surah Al-Baqarah: 197.
“The moral message conveyed in Surah Al-Baqarah serves as a guide for individuals undertaking the pilgrimage. The Hajj takes place within a designated period, which signifies that it begins with preparations and progresses accordingly.”
“Hence, our aspiration is for our pilgrimage to truly become a Mabrur Hajj—a pilgrimage accepted and blessed by Allah. Throughout our rituals, we have been taught numerous prayers, including prayers during the tawaf (circumambulation), sa’i (ritual walk), the act of throwing stones at the Jamarat, and even when we first lay eyes on the Kaaba. Let us not forget these prayers, and it is worth mentioning that the prayers need not be lengthy,” he expressed.
He added, “There are three significant aspects of wisdom associated with the performance of pilgrimage. Firstly, when we respond to the call of Allah and His Messenger, we become part of those who actively engage in their faith. Undertaking the pilgrimage enlivens our minds, rejuvenates our souls, and strengthens our faith.
Secondly, Allah has promised that a mabrur pilgrimage, one that is performed with sincerity and righteousness, will be rewarded with nothing less than paradise (Jannah). This serves as a powerful incentive for pilgrims to strive for excellence in their pilgrimage.
Lastly, the hajj provides a unique opportunity to witness the unwavering commitment of Muslims to their religious teachings. Despite the existence of places where Islam may be taken for granted, during the pilgrimage, the enthusiasm for practicing Islamic teachings remains undiminished.”
Mr. Bustami concluded his speech by highlighting these key points.
The peusijuk ceremony was attended by Deputy Chancellors, Heads of Bureaus, Deans, Deputy Deans, university staff, and employees of Universitas Samudra. The event commenced with an opening by the MC, Tuti Israyani, S.P., followed by the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Shalawat Badr by Farizal, S.T. Additionally, prayers were recited by Misbah, S.Pd. (Humas Unsam).