Introduction to a Night of Reflection and Remembrance

On the evening of Saturday, August 2, 2026, the atmosphere at Masjid Baiturrahman in Kelurahan Tirto, Kota Pekalongan, was filled with an extraordinary sense of serenity. Under the soft glow of lamps that framed a large banner adorned with beautiful calligraphy, hundreds of congregation members from Jamâ’iyyah Rifa’iyyah Kota Pekalongan gathered in reverence. They sat cross-legged on red carpets, united in neat rows, awaiting the recitation of prayers and wisdom during the commemoration of Haul Syaikhina KH. Ahmad Rifa’i RA. The golden words displayed at the top of the banner, "Adab seorang murid adalah menjaga kehormatan gurunya, baik ketika sang guru masih hidup maupun setelah wafat" ("A student’s etiquette is to maintain the honor of their teacher, both when the teacher is alive and after they have passed away"), became the spirit and main guideline for every soul present.

Main Facts: Commemorating a Legacy

The event was inaugurated with the recitation of holy verses from the Quran and tahlil, which resonated solemnly, filling every corner of the mosque. This commemoration was not merely an annual routine but a manifestation of the followers’ love for Syaikh Ahmad Rifa’i, a great scholar whose thoughts remain relevant across time. KH. Ahmad Rifa’i, known as a fighter for integrity and a pioneer of independent education, left behind thousands of nazham verses that serve as guidelines for the community in matters of religion and state.

Chronology: A Journey Through Time

On this noble occasion, KH. Rosalin Syahroni, the caretaker of Pondok Pesantren INSAP 2 Paesan Tengah, Kedungwuni, Pekalongan, delivered a mauidhoh hasanah. With words that were both soothing and profound, he began his speech with a parable about the essence of a gathering of knowledge. He likened a taklim assembly to a blooming flower that emits fragrance, attracting various parties to come. Some attendees came with pure intentions, like bees and butterflies, seeking to absorb the nectar of knowledge, assist in the pollination of goodness, and preserve the beauty of the flower without causing any harm.

However, KH. Rosalin also issued a stern and reflective warning. He reminded the audience that not everyone who attends such gatherings does so with pure intentions. Some come like worms or pests, aiming to gnaw at the petals and leaves of the flower, causing it to wither before it can fully bloom. This message served as a gentle rebuke to the congregation to always order their intentions. Attending the haul was not about seeking a stage or worldly interests but about reaffirming etiquette, taking lessons, and seeking blessings from the commemorated figure. The purity of intention is the key for the acquired knowledge to become a light that illuminates the path of life, rather than a burden that extinguishes the heart.

Supporting Data: The Historical Context

Behind the solemnity of the evening’s event lies a deeply significant historical note regarding the location where the ceremony was held: Kelurahan Tirto Meduri. For the Rifa’iyyah community, Tirto is not just an administrative location but a silent witness to a long struggle, sweat, tears, and steadfast faith. Around 1967, this location was a testing ground for the existence of Jamâ’iyyah Rifa’iyyah. When the Rifa’iyyah community in Tirto endeavored to declare independent management and establish Friday prayers at Masjid Baiturrahman, the challenges they faced were not trivial.

Tension peaked when access to the mosque was blocked by dissenting parties. Piles of banana trees and bamboo were placed across the road, streetlights were turned off to create a daunting atmosphere, and physical and verbal intimidation was directed towards the pioneering figures. In a desperate bid to ensure the safety of the congregation, the organizing committee reluctantly had to relocate the inauguration to the Gedung Pemuda Pekalongan. This event became a wound as well as a driving force for the pioneering ulama like Kiai Ahmad Nasichun, KH. Rahmatullah, KH. Syafi’i, and Saudara Warsito Hadiprayitno.

Official Responses: The Path to Legitimization

Instead of retaliating with violence, the Rifa’iyyah figures chose the path of diplomacy and intellectual elegance. They pursued a constitutional route by submitting an official request to the Department of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia to scientifically study the books written by KH. Ahmad Rifa’i. They aimed to prove that Syaikh Ahmad Rifa’i’s teachings were in line with religious law and brought benefits to the nation. This lengthy and tiresome effort finally yielded sweet results on February 29 and July 2, 1968. The Directorate of Religious Education of the Republic of Indonesia officially issued two letters of recommendation acknowledging the validity of these books. This national recognition served as both legitimization and a gateway to the peace experienced today.

Implications: A Lesson in Perseverance and Integrity

Looking at Masjid Baiturrahman, now filled with hundreds of congregation members sitting peacefully, we are invited to reflect on the greatness of the power of patience. Nearly six decades have passed, and the place that was once blocked by banana trees and hatred has transformed into a heavenly garden where remembrance and knowledge are sown. There are no more blockades, no more fear. What remains is a strong sense of brotherhood under the umbrella of Rifa’iyyah values. This is concrete proof that if a struggle is conducted in the right manner, with pure intentions and boundless patience, then Allah’s help will always come at the right time.

Reflection and Remembrance: The Core of the Commemoration

In a broader context, this haul serves as a moment to reflect on the importance of etiquette in seeking knowledge. In the digital era, filled with distractions, where information can be accessed easily but often loses its chain of transmission and blessings, maintaining etiquette towards teachers becomes something very rare yet very urgent. As the Prophet’s saying, quoted during the event, emphasizes that our group is not one that disrespects the elderly and does not show compassion to the younger, this also includes respect for scholars as the inheritors of the prophets. Honoring teachers, both physically and in spirit after they have passed away, is part of honoring knowledge itself.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Hope and Resilience

Remembering KH. Ahmad Rifa’i is not merely about discussing past history. More than that, this haul is about how to translate his spirit into real actions in the present. KH. Ahmad Rifa’i was known as a figure very critical of ignorance and injustice. He encouraged his students to be independent, knowledgeable, and not easily swayed by parties seeking to divide the community. This spirit of independence is what must be continuously nurtured by the succeeding generations of Jamâ’iyyah Rifa’iyyah.

The evening’s event concluded with a collective prayer led by the Rifa’iyyah elders. The atmosphere became even more solemn as the prayer for the safety of the nation and the glory of Islam was recited. The attending congregation appeared deeply moved. There was a profound sense of gratitude because they could still sit in the mosque, on the same carpet, continuing the chain of knowledge that had been pioneered with great struggle by their predecessors.

Final Thoughts: A Message of Hope and Unity

As a conclusion to this report, we want to emphasize that from the butterflies that land on flowers to the roadblocks that have turned into gatherings of knowledge, there is a clear red thread: nobility never comes instantly. Nobility is the result of a struggle accompanied by well-guarded ethics. The haul of KH. Ahmad Rifa’i in 2026 has successfully become a reminder for all of us that maintaining the honor of teachers is the key to maintaining the blessings of knowledge. As long as the congregation holds fast to etiquette, as long as they are willing to order their intentions to become "bees" that benefit others, then the legacy of KH. Ahmad Rifa’i will continue to live and radiate, illuminating the darkness of the times.

The journey of Tirto from a dark past to a bright present is an inspiration for other areas to continue their steadfastness in struggle. In facing the challenges of time, methods that are refined, intellectual, and law-abiding are the most powerful weapons. Hopefully, the spirit that burned at Masjid Baiturrahman that evening will not fade with the end of the event but will continue to burn in the hearts of every congregation member, guiding them to become better, more courteous, and more beneficial individuals for humanity. Congratulations on remembering the teacher, congratulations on preserving the legacy of knowledge, and congratulations on maintaining etiquette as a student who loves their teacher until the hereafter.