Subub

I was recently informed about a Spiritual association called Subub founded in 1925 by a so-called Muslim young man named Bapak Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo in Semarang, a port on the north coast of Java. He states on the website (http://www.subud.org.uk/index.html) Subud is not a new religion but does claim to provide a better way to live life by adding a deeper and meaning spiritual dimension to existing religions.

Islam in matters such as belief and worship are clear cut. There is no room for vagueness and if someone asks a question then it is a duty of every Muslim to rectify that misunderstanding.
Using an analogy when a student goes to college the teacher will impart knowledge and teach the student and when he/she makes a mistake it is the teachers’ duty to correct the mistake and advise.
Similarly in matters where Islam is portrayed in a misleading manner then is it the duty of every Muslim to correct and impart knowledge with reason and logic.

You are welcome to follow the link and read up about Subub but to make it simpler for the reader and I have summarised his spiritual experience which has led to the Subub and consequently leads to the experience of Latihan.

Firstly he claims the experience transforms his life and that of others. Whilst walking one night he saw a ball of light in the sky. Subsequently the ball of light entered his body through his head and travelled through his body. Upon returning home he saw the inside of his body filled with light. Without control over his body he body begun to move and he walked into the study where his body went through the motions of a Muslim praying. He also states an “invisible force moving him” and a “second person in his body”. These became a regular occurrence during the night. As these occurred independently he accepted these events to be the will of God. The movements of prayers gave way to dance and martial art movements and subsequently created a deeper understanding of his feelings and his experiences and a connection with all the levels of life in the universe: the material, vegetable, animal, human and levels higher than that. (Eventhough the website does not explain what is meant by “higher level”).

As this inner change continues and Subub is regarded by his friends as a person of wisdom and insight an experience a few years later is the turning point and he receives actions from God’s power and is able to transmit to others via contact called “Pembukaan” or opening.

The website continues to mention there is worship handed down by teachings of prophets or messengers of god. There is also worship that arises spontaneously from the human soul being guided by the power of god – Latihan.

Furthermore in 1951 and Englishman – Hussein Rofe arrived in Yogyakarta. His coming was predicted by Subub. Rofe was instrumental in spreading Latihan beyond Java.

I will begin by introducing the basics of Islam. The points are fundamental in understanding how Islam views the above deviations.

What is Islam?

The Quran states that Islam – the complete submission of man before his one and only Unique Creator – is the one and only faith and way of life consistently revealed by God to humankind from the very beginning. Noah, Solomon, David, Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jesus – prophets who appeared at different times and places – all propagated the same faith and conveyed the same message of Tawheed (Oneness of God). These prophets of God were not founders of different religions to be named after them. They were each reiterating the message and faith of their predecessors.

However, Muhammad (pbuh) was the last Prophet of God. God revived through him the same genuine faith which had been conveyed by all His Prophets. This original message was earlier corrupted and split into various religions by people of different ages, who indulged in interpolations and admixture. These alien elements were eliminated by God, and Islam – in its pure and original form – was transmitted to humankind through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Since there was to be no messenger after Muhammad (pbuh), the Book revealed to him (i.e. the Quran) was preserved word for word so that it should be a source of guidance for all times.

God (Allah) – Surah Iklas
Adding the section explaining God eventhough the verse does not have any bearing to the topic but because the person who asked the original question is a Hindu she will see hopefully see the benefit.

There is a simple test a person can use when understanding the concept of God in Islam. It is one of the earliest revelations to Prophet Muhammad received from Archangel Gabriel.

In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

“Say He is Allah, the one And Only!
Allah the Eternal, Absolute:
He begettheth not nor is he begotten
And there is none like onto Him”
(Surah 112 1-4)

The Arabic root word Iklas which means to be purified or refined. Such a purification is the burning away of all of the worldly misunderstandings, concerns and desires that separate us from the One; the One and Only upon whom we depend, the One and Only who is our foundation rock, the Eternal One and Only.

Incidentally there is a striking similarity in the Bhagavad-Gita written a thousand years earlier. I further testimony to the unity of the One who created all of mankind.

“You are the One Creator of all the worlds,
And of that which moves and that which does not move.
You alone are fit for worship, You are the highest teacher.
In all the worlds there is none equal to you”
Bhagavad-Gita 11:43


What makes a Muslim?

A Muslim expresses his/her faith (iman) in the following words:

“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any partner And I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and his messenger”

The above hopefully gave you an understanding of the fundamentals of Islam.
Conclusion
Islam’s fundamental belief is the oneness of God. Therefore acknowledgement and bearing witness of this is key to the Muslim faith, unless this is observed one cannot be a Muslim. A Muslim accepts Allah as the only God, and only Master, Lord and Ruler with no partner in anyway.

The belief in the Prophet as a servant and Messenger of Allah completes one faith. The Prophet Muhammad was the seal of prophets with no share in divinity. This is a very important belief that keeps Muslims from associating partners with Allah. This is a very important belief that keeps Muslims from associating partners with Allah. This part of the declaration of faith reinforces the first part of Allah being the only Supreme Being with no partners and also establishes the absolute authority of the Holy Prophet as the last messenger of Allah, who must be obeyed as well as in all matters of faith.

Final Messenger

Muslims believe in the past Allah sent over 124,000 messengers to all the nations (before Prophet Muhammad) as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah (sayings of Prophet Muhammad)

“Allah raised up these prophets, among every nation” (Surah 16:36)

“And undoubtedly, We sent many Messengers before you, of them, there are some whose story We have narrated to you, and there are some whose story We have not narrated to you, and it is not for any Messenger that he should bring any sign without Allah's permission, but when the command of Allah will come, the matter shall be decided with truth, and then the men of falsehood shall lose there." (Surah 40:78)

The above verse from the Quran clearly states all miracles done by Prophets are clear signs from Allah. This included predicting future events and having unexplainable occurrences. These are all miracles from Allah.

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Apostle of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets." (Surah 33:40).


"Messengerhood and prophethood have ceased. There will be no messenger or prophet after me." [related by Ahmad]

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The Children of Israel used to be ruled and guided by prophets: Whenever a prophet died, another would take over his place. There will be no prophet after me, but there will be Caliphs who will increase in number." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What do you order us (to do)?" He said, "Obey the one who will be given the pledge of allegiance first. Fulfil their (i.e. the Caliphs) rights, for Allah will ask them about (any shortcoming) in ruling those Allah has put under their guardianship." [al-Bukhari 4.661]


All previous Messengers have entered the world displaying miracles by the will of Allah and the last and final Messenger of Allah is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)


Innovation - Bidah

Allah also states in the Quran:
"this day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion"
(Surah Maidah 5:4)

This verse embodies a clear statement that the religion has been completed and so has no need of addition and deletion, and our noble Messenger (SAW) said,

Allah says in His Book,

"and We have revealed to you a Book explaining everything"
(Surah An-Nail 16:89),
and He says,
"We have neglected nothing in the Book"
(Surah Al-An’ am 6:37).


In conclusion you cannot be a Muslim and a follower of Subub and claim to receive contact from God. Islam is a complete religion complete with the correct methods to worship Allah. No mortal can predict the future and lastly the religion Islam is perfect and complete as it states in the Quran. No Prophets will be sent to earth with another message or spread a new religion.

I hope this clarifies some of the misconception about Islam as well as serve as a reminder to the followers of Subub especially if they are Muslim. May Allah guide as all.