Eco-Sufism in Ahmad Tohari's Selected Literary Works
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ECO-SUFISM IN AHMAD TOHARI’S SELECTED LITERARY WORKS A THESIS Presented as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Magister Humaniora (M. Hum) Degree in English Language Studies by Anies Rohidayah 146332018 GRADUATE PROGRAM OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA 2018 PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI ii PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI iii PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI iv PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI v PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is a long journey for me to finally finish this thesis. The writing process of this thesis has not only enriched my academic experience but also deepened my personal reflection over the work of God’s hand in the cosmic web. This journey will not be accomplished without the support and assistance of the thoughtful individuals whom I appreciate deeply. My sincere gratitude goes to my thesis supervisor, Father Patrisius Mutiara Andalas, S.J., S.TD., for his advice, and encouragement during the completion of my thesis. I would like to express my gratitude to the board of examiners of my thesis: Ibu Novita Dewi M.S., M.A.(Hons), Ph.D., Bapak Paulus Sarwoto, M.A., Ph.D., and Ibu A.B. Sri Mulyani, M.A., Ph.D. for their critical review and suggestion to enhance my thesis. I would also like to express my appreciation to all lecturers of English Language Studies. I treasure their inspiring and passionate lectures throughout my study time. I would also like to appreciate the thoughtful discussion and supportive friendship of the Literature class 2014. My deepest gratitude goes to the very best friend of mine, my husband Dede, for his love, support, and understanding; and to our precious Ariendra for the happiness and energy boost. Finally, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my beloved late mother whose bravery and unconditional love give me the strength to face any circumstances of life God has designed for me. Notwithstanding all of the above support for this thesis, any flaws and inaccuracies are solely my own. vi PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVAL PAGE ..........................................................................................................ii THESIS DEFENSE APPROVAL PAGE........................................................................... iii STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY...................................................................................iv LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS......................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................................................................................vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ vii ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................ix ABSTRAK........................................................................................................................ x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 A. Background .......................................................................................................... 1 B. Research Method .................................................................................................11 C. Research Question ...............................................................................................12 D. Goal and Significance of the Study .......................................................................12 E. Chapters Outline ..................................................................................................13 CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW ...........................................................................14 A. Review of Related Theories ..................................................................................14 1. Ecocriticism.....................................................................................................14 2. Sufism.............................................................................................................17 3. Eco-Sufism ......................................................................................................23 B. Review on Related Studies ...................................................................................27 C. Theoretical Framework....................................................................................................35 CHAPTER III ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ECO- SUFISM ........................................................................................................................37 A. Ecological Problems Depicted in Tohari’s Selected Works ......................................38 1. Drought ...........................................................................................................38 2. Flood...............................................................................................................40 3. Annihilation of Species ....................................................................................42 4. Illegal Logging and Forest Destruction ..............................................................44 5. Unsustainable Construction ..............................................................................46 B. The Causes of Ecological Problems in Ahmad Tohari’s Selected Works..................48 1. Secularized Modernization................................................................................48 2. Greed, Corruption and Abuse of Power .............................................................61 Concluding Remark ....................................................................................................74 vii PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI CHAPTER IV THE SPIRITUALITY OF SUFISM: AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION FOR ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ..........................................................................................76 A. Tawba (Repentance) ............................................................................................77 B. Wara’ (Reticence)................................................................................................80 C. Zuhd (Renunciation) ............................................................................................82 D. Faqr (Poverty) ....................................................................................................85 E. Mahabba (Love) ..................................................................................................89 F. Uzlah (Seclusion) ................................................................................................92 Concluding Remark ....................................................................................................95 CHAPTER V CONCLUSION .........................................................................................97 BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................................... 104 viii PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI ABSTRACT Anies Rohidayah. 2017. Eco-Sufism in Ahmad Tohari’s Selected Literary Works. Yogyakarta: English Language Study, Graduate Program, Sanata Dharma University Embarking from the concerns about the increasingly aggrieved earth caused by irresponsible deeds of human beings, this study explores the ecological theme in Tohari’s Di Kaki Bukit Cibalak, The Dancer (a trilogy which consists of Notes for Momma, A Shooting Star at Dawn, and The Rainbow’s Arc), Orang-orang Proyek, and Karyamin’s Smile through the perspective of Eco-Sufism. Eco-Sufism is an amalgamation of ecocriticism and Sufism. This combination suits the character of Tohari’s works which accentuate the depiction of nature and the dissemination of moral teaching, particularly Islamic values. This study aims to reveal the way eco- Sufism sees the ecological problems in Tohari’s selected works and the offered solution regarding the problems reflected in the works. This study employs library research to collect the data that are in the form of words, phrases, and sentences. Eco-Sufism concept by Seyyed Hossein Nasr is mainly used to accommodate the analysis of the collected data. In addition, descriptive analytical technique is applied to present the result of the analysis. Accordingly, two questions are formulated. The first is how the ecological problems in Ahmad Tohari’s selected literary works are seen through the perspective of eco- Sufism and the second is what values of eco-Sufism are offered as the solution of ecological problems reflected in those work. This study finds that the ecological problems described in Tohari’s works are rooted in the inharmonious relationship between human beings and the Creator. The ignorance of God's signs in the universe leads modern humans divorce religion from science and technology. As a result, the modernization process is conducted in secular way. In the perspective of Nasr, the materialistic spirit attached to the secularized modernization triggers the greed for money and possession which make human beings justify any means to achieve the wealth, including corruption and abuse of power. Human beings have betrayed God's mandate as a khalifa/vicegerent who is assigned to keep the harmony and balance of earth life. They harm the nature and disturb the habitats