The night grew late, and the atmosphere on Pak Herman's porch felt increasingly peaceful. Only the sound of crickets filled the silence, occasionally interrupted by the rustle of wind moving the leaves in the small garden beside the house. A dim yellow light hung above them, casting faint shadows on the wooden walls. Romo remained seated in the wooden chair, while Pak Herman relaxed against the backrest, gazing at the young man in front of him with a look of genuine interest.
Pak Herman took a sip of his tea before speaking. "So, son… tell me a little about your background. Your family, your education… So I can understand where your way of thinking comes from."
Romo sighed for a moment, then gave a small smile. "I was born and raised in a pesantren environment, Pak. My father is a religious teacher, and my mother also comes from a devout family. Since I was little, my life was full of rules—what was allowed, what wasn't. Every decision had to be based on existing teachings. There was no room for doubt."
Pak Herman nodded slowly. "Living in certainty, huh? So, why did you choose philosophy then? Isn't that all about questioning and doubt?"
Romo chuckled softly, but there was something in his eyes that suggested this wasn't just an impulsive choice. "At first, I didn't think of going into philosophy, Pak. In high school, I was being steered toward a more 'safe' major, one that fit my background. But it was actually my father who first suggested I try philosophy."
Pak Herman raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Oh? Your father suggested it? Interesting… usually, religious parents are afraid their children will be influenced by conflicting ideas."
Romo nodded. "At first, I was confused too, Pak. I thought my father would forbid it. But he actually said, 'If you want to believe strongly, then understand your faith, don't just follow it.'" Romo gazed into the distance, remembering that conversation. "He wanted me to learn how to think, how to question things properly, so that my faith wouldn't be based solely on doctrine, but on understanding."
Pak Herman smiled, admiration in his eyes. "Your father is a wise man."
Romo gave a faint smile. "Yes, Pak. But after entering philosophy, I found more questions than answers. And the more I thought, the more I realized that this world isn't as simple as what's taught in books."
Pak Herman laughed softly, his eyes shining. "There you go. Life is not a textbook, son. Many things can't be understood by words alone, they must be experienced."
Romo nodded, but his gaze still held questions. "That's also what draws me to Marlon and Riri's research, Pak. At first, I thought it was just another academic exploration, but the more I listened to their views, the more I realized… they don't just want to know, they want to understand."
Pak Herman leaned forward slightly. "And you think their research could help you understand something that's been difficult for you to accept?"
Romo smiled faintly. "More or less, Pak. Since I was little, I was always taught that sin is sin, virtue is virtue. Black and white. But Marlon… he sees the gray area in between. At first, I thought he was just looking for justification, but the more I hear his arguments, the more I begin to question… could it be that I've been too quick to judge things just because I was taught that way?"
Pak Herman looked at Romo for a long moment, then smiled wisely. "So now you're at a crossroads, huh? Between holding on to the teachings you've believed in since childhood, or opening yourself up to see the world from a broader perspective?"
Romo was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I want to know, Pak… is it true that sin and virtue can always be clearly defined? Or is there something more complex behind all of it?"
Pak Herman sighed, looking up at the sky now filled with stars. "Son, this world is bigger than we think. Sometimes, what seems bad might have goodness in it, and what seems good might have its own dark side. The key isn't choosing one… but understanding where the balance lies."
Romo stared at Pak Herman, as if trying to absorb every word he said.
Pak Herman tapped his knee, then laughed softly. "Well then, welcome to the world of those who keep learning. Don't be afraid to question, but also don't forget to feel."
Romo smiled. The night was still young, and their conversation had only just begun.
The night deepened, but the discussion on Pak Herman's porch showed no sign of ending. The dim light reflected warm hues on the wooden table, now filled with the remnants of tea cups. The cool night breeze carried a sense of tranquility, while the sounds of crickets and rustling leaves provided a natural backdrop to their conversation.
Pak Herman sipped his tea, then placed his cup down calmly. "So, if we're talking about the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Heavenly Virtues, what do you think Islam's view is on this concept?"
Romo leaned back, taking a slow breath before answering. "In Islam, the concept of sin and virtue is clear, Pak. There are things called 'blameworthy character traits' (akhlaq madzmumah) and 'praiseworthy character traits' (akhlaq mahmudah). If we compare, the Seven Deadly Sins are similar to blameworthy traits, like pride, greed, excessive anger, and so on. Meanwhile, the Seven Heavenly Virtues reflect praiseworthy traits, like humility, patience, generosity."
Pak Herman nodded, listening carefully. "So there's a similarity, huh? Essentially, every religion teaches us to avoid bad traits and foster virtues."
Romo gave a faint smile. "Yes, but what's interesting is how we interpret these in daily life. Take pride, for example. In Islam, there's a concept of 'ujub' and 'takabbur.' Takabbur is clearly forbidden—pride that belittles others. But what about 'ujub,' self-pride? To some extent, a Muslim is allowed to feel proud of their achievements, as long as it doesn't demean others."
Pak Herman squinted, thinking for a moment. "Hmm… so in Islam, pride is a sin, but being proud of oneself isn't always bad?"
Romo nodded. "Exactly. The same goes for greed. Islam forbids greed that leads someone to hoard wealth without regard for others. But on the other hand, there's 'hirs'—ambition. If someone has ambition to achieve something for their own good and the good of others, that's actually encouraged."
Pak Herman chuckled softly. "Ah, this is interesting. So the concept of sin in Islam also has its boundaries? Not always strictly black or white?"
Romo sighed, his eyes gazing at the starry sky. "That's what I'm learning, Pak. I've always thought of sin and virtue as something absolute. But the more I study, the more I realize there's room to understand the context."
Pak Herman leaned back, smiling. "And that's what makes Marlon's research interesting for you, huh?"
Romo nodded slowly. "Yes, Pak. I want to know if it's true that sin and virtue always have clear boundaries, or if there's a balance to be found between them."
Pak Herman tapped the table with his fingers, thinking for a moment. "For example… wrath. In Islam, anger is forbidden if it harms others. But there's also 'ghirah'—anger that arises from love for something right."
Romo smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Exactly, Pak! Even Prophet Muhammad (SAW) got angry when he saw injustice, but his anger was always controlled and had a clear purpose."
Pak Herman nodded slowly. "Now, the question is, how do we differentiate between harmful anger and the kind of anger that's necessary?"
Romo was silent for a moment, then answered in a quieter voice. "That's it, Pak… I'm still looking for the answer."
Pak Herman chuckled softly. "You're interesting, Mo. Usually, people study philosophy to find answers. But you're just getting more questions."
Mo laughed too, but there was a calmness in his gaze. "Maybe it's because the right answer isn't always just one, Pak."
Pak Herman smiled, patting his shoulder. "In that case, welcome to the world of people who keep learning."
The night continued, but their discussion seemed to grow deeper. Perhaps, the answer they were looking for wasn't about right or wrong, but how to understand the world more wisely.
Pak Herman gently tapped his fingers on the wooden table, then looked at Mo with slightly squinted eyes. "Earlier, you said… truth isn't just one, right?"
Mo nodded slowly, still with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, Pak. I've started to realize that often, there's more than one truth in a situation."
Pak Herman gave a small smile, but his eyes held a sharp glint. "Well, then, there's one thing you need to reflect on, Mo. Actually, the tragedy in this world isn't about truth versus falsehood. Because if that were the case, we would already know which one to choose. The real problem arises when one truth faces another."
Mo fell silent, staring at Pak Herman with a serious expression. Pak Herman continued, his voice calm yet profound. "Imagine there are two people fighting for something they believe is true. But one must sacrifice the other to defend their truth. That's where, Mo... the real tragedy happens."
Mo furrowed his brow, his mind starting to turn. "So... the issue isn't choosing between right or wrong, but choosing between two conflicting truths?"
Pak Herman nodded. "Exactly. And that's where the difficulty lies. Can we remain objective? Can we stay clear-headed when faced with tough choices?"
Mo sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Clear-headed, huh..." He repeated the word softly, as if trying to understand its deeper meaning.
Pak Herman smiled wryly. "It's hard, Mo. Very hard. Because humans have values they adhere to, their own subjectivity. No matter how hard we try to think clearly, our choices and attitudes will inevitably be influenced by beliefs ingrained in us."
Mo looked up at the starry sky. "So, there really isn't anyone who can be truly objective?"
Pak Herman sipped his tea slowly, then exhaled deeply. "Almost impossible, Mo. Even the most just judge brings their personal values into their decisions. Even the most rational scientist has biases they don't realize. What we can do isn't eliminate that subjectivity, but be aware of it... and try to stay balanced."
Mo nodded slowly, his mind starting to sink into this new understanding. "So... when choosing between two truths, we not only have to figure out which is most true, but also realize how our values influence that choice?"
Pak Herman smiled. "Exactly."
Mo was silent for a long time. The night breeze grew colder, but inside him, something seemed to ignite—a new awareness that he would carry home tonight.
Pak Herman leaned back in his wooden chair casually, sipping his now-cooling tea. His eyes locked on Mo with an expression that was hard to read—somewhere between serious and playful. He rubbed his chin before finally clearing his throat.
"Since you studied religion well, unlike Marlon, who relies more on his wild reasoning and philosophy," Pak Herman said teasingly, "I want to ask you something a bit serious, Mo."
Mo gave a slight smile, already accustomed to Pak Herman's challenging style of speaking. "Go ahead, Pak. I'm ready to answer as long as it's within my capacity."
Pak Herman chuckled. "So here's the thing... Islam originally was one, right? It came down through the Prophet Muhammad SAW, with the same teachings, the same book, and one God. But why did it split into two major groups, Sunni and Shia? Even if we consider ourselves Sunni, why does it still divide into four schools of thought? And when it reached Indonesia, why did it become even more varied? There's NU, Muhammadiyah, and others. Why is that, Mo?"
Mo smiled slightly, realizing this was no simple question. He sighed before answering. "That's a question that often comes up, Pak. And the answer is long, but if simplified... the differences occurred because of human nature itself. We were given reason to think and understand religious teachings according to the context of time and place."
Pak Herman nodded slowly. "Okay, so it's because of differing human understandings?"
"Exactly, Pak," Mo replied. "If we talk about Sunni and Shia, it started because of a difference in understanding leadership after the death of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Some believed leadership should be based on consensus, which became Sunni. Others believed leadership should remain within the Prophet's lineage, which became Shia. That was the beginning."
Pak Herman rubbed his chin, thinking. "So it was political from the start?"
Mo smiled faintly. "Mostly, yes, Pak. But over time, differences in religious interpretation, hadith, and law also developed. That's why Sunni itself is divided into four major schools—Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hambali. It's not because they disagreed about Islam itself, but because they had different methods of understanding Islamic law."
Pak Herman squinted. "Then, why when it reached Indonesia, did Islam become even more diverse?"
Romo chuckled softly. "Now, this is interesting too. Islam came to Indonesia through traders and scholars from various schools of thought. Then, local culture influenced how people understood and practiced Islamic teachings. That's why some emphasize tradition more, like Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), while others are more modernist, like Muhammadiyah. Some are more mystical, others more scriptural. It all developed according to what society needed."
Pak Herman let out a small laugh. "So, Islam became diverse because of people themselves?"
Romo nodded. "Exactly, sir. It's not that Islam has changed, but rather that people interpret it differently."
Pak Herman sighed and smiled. "Ah, so this isn't just about Islam, Romo. It's about how humans always find their own way of understanding things."
Romo smiled and nodded. "Exactly, sir. And that applies not just to religion, but to everything in life."
Pak Herman chuckled as he patted Romo's shoulder. "Such a young philosopher. I was just joking, but now I've ended up in a free lecture."
Romo laughed along, and the atmosphere warmed under the starlit night sky.
Pak Herman leaned back again on the old wooden chair, which creaked slightly. The night breeze was soft, carrying the earthy scent left behind by the evening rain. Romo sipped his tea, eyes fixed on the starlit sky. The silence between them felt comfortable, until Pak Herman spoke again.
"Romo, something just crossed my mind," he said, gazing at the young man before him. "Do you think Marlon's research is actually important?"
Romo lowered his teacup, frowning slightly. "What do you mean, sir?"
"I mean the research on the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues. Is it really a topic worth discussing? Or is it just a mental exercise by young people trying to make things more complicated than they are?" Pak Herman raised an eyebrow, challenging Romo to think deeper.
Romo fell silent for a moment, considering the question. "Whether it's important or not depends on your perspective, sir."
Pak Herman chuckled. "Whose perspective? That of academics? Society? Or people who don't even care about sin and virtue?"
Romo offered a faint smile. "Exactly, sir. I think this research matters because we often treat sin and virtue as if they're completely black and white. But in real life, it's rarely that simple. Humans have natural impulses to commit sins, but also the capacity to do good. So where's the line? Are sins always bad? Are virtues always good? That's what Marlon wants to explore."
Pak Herman stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… interesting, but isn't that already answered? Every religion, including Islam, has clear rules about sin and virtue. So why debate it again?"
Romo let out a slow breath and looked at him seriously. "That's true, sir. Islam does have clear guidelines. But do people actually follow them? Do they really understand the deeper meaning behind those rules? Or do they just accept them without ever questioning? Sometimes we need to dig deeper—not to rebel, but to understand better."
Pak Herman gave a faint smile, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "So the goal of the research isn't to find new truths, but to understand more deeply what's already considered true?"
Romo nodded firmly. "Exactly, sir. Because a truth that isn't well understood can become nothing more than a dogma blindly followed."
Pak Herman chuckled. "Haha, now that's pure philosophy. Alright then, I'll be waiting to see how your research turns out. But remember, Romo… theory and reality don't always go hand in hand. I hope you all see that in your journey."
Romo gave a small smile. "That's exactly what we're hoping to discover, sir."
The night breeze stirred again, pushing their conversation deeper into their own thoughts.
Pak Herman rolled his teacup slowly between his palms, as if searching for the right words. Romo sat quietly across from him, waiting for the question that seemed to weigh heavily on his mind.
"Romo," Pak Herman's voice was softer now, "if after this research you discover something unexpected, and feel that what you've learned before was actually false… what will you do?"
Romo straightened his back, his face showing firm conviction. "Whatever the outcome, sir, I'll use it to improve myself. I believe that knowledge should make someone better, not worse."
Pak Herman nodded slowly, observing the young man's expression.
But inside, Romo felt something stir.
Romo's Inner Monologue:
But… am I really ready?
My answer just now sounded convincing—even to myself. But what if reality doesn't match what I've imagined? What if the conclusion I reach ends up shaking the foundation I've believed in all this time?
Will I have to start all over again?
I've spent years studying the teachings I was raised with. I believe they are true. But… what if they're only part of something bigger? What if there are other truths—equally valid, or even more so?
And if that happens… what will become of me?
I don't want to lose my grip, don't want to question everything until there's nothing left to trust. But can someone stay in the same place after seeing a wider world?
Or will I be forced to walk further… with no idea where I'll end up?