Wonosobo, NU Online
The founding father of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Hadlaratus Sheikh KH Hasyim Asy'ari used to implement the principle of tawassuth (moderation) in numerous aspects of life, including in dealing with economic and social fields.<>

Chairman of NU Prof Maksum Mahfudh made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting held by the NU Institute for Mosque Management (LTMNU) in cooperation with the NU Institute for Human Resource Studies and Development (Lakpesdam NU) in Mojo Tengah subdistrict, Wonosobo, Central Java, on Friday (31 / 5).

"Hadratus Syeikh embraces moderate principles related to not only such affairs as tahlil (repeated recitation of the confession of faith) and rak'ahs of tarawih, but also social and economic ones," he said.

This fact, according to Maksum, could, for example, be seen from Mbah Hasyim's commitment with other NU clerics to establishing cooperatives through the so-called Nahdlatut Tujjar. The family principle in economic cooperation (syirkah mu'awanah), Maksum added, did reflect his rejection of permissive liberalism.

The Gajah Mada University professor said that NU "has now been in a challenge to two polar extremes", between being a liberal left wing or a very conservative right one. As done by Mbah Hashim, NU must continue the example for the sake of people.

In the presence of at least 50 NU board memebrs, Maksum also called on Nahdliyin (NU followers) to function mosques as driving forces for such developments as economic, education, propagation, and health care. He regretted the Nahdliyin for paying no more attention to matters related to social relations.

"We are sometimes selective. In the field of science, we can discuss the permissibility of ablution by using coconut water. But related to buyu (trade / market) we rarely deal with it," he said.

Reporting by Mahbib Khoiron; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq