Muhammadiyah s 113th Milad at UMPO Three Blessings Renewed Spirit

UMPO.AC.ID — A serene and contemplative atmosphere filled the Reflection of Muhammadiyah’s 113th Milad held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo (UMPO) on Sunday (23/11). On this occasion, Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, Prof. Dadang Kahmad, delivered a heartfelt sermon inviting members of the movement to reflect on the vastness of Allah’s blessings in their lives and in their journey within Muhammadiyah.

In his address, Prof. Dadang emphasized that Allah’s blessings are so immense that humans could never count them one by one. Therefore, he reminded that every Muhammadiyah member must remain grateful for three great blessings that form the foundation of life.

The first blessing is the gift of life. “Life is an invaluable gift. No one can ever sell the blessing of life. If it were possible, many wealthy people would surely want to live forever,” he said, urging the audience to value the time and opportunities given to them.

The second blessing to be cherished is the blessing of faith and Islam—two treasures he described as the true keys to happiness in both this world and the hereafter.

The third blessing, he continued, is the privilege of being part of Muhammadiyah. The organization, he said, serves as a field of struggle and growth, standing firm and orderly like a solid structure described in Surah As-Saff.

Prof. Dadang further explained three main reasons Muhammadiyah has remained strong and beneficial for more than a century. First, Muhammadiyah thrives because it provides profound benefit to the ummah and the nation. Through its missionary work and its charitable enterprises (AUM), Muhammadiyah’s impact has spread across Indonesia—from Aceh to Papua—and even reached 30 countries through Special Branches of Muhammadiyah (PCIM).

“If a branch or local chapter no longer provides benefit, it will eventually disappear. The same applies to the Ponorogo Regional Board—if it does not enlighten, time will tell,” he stated, underscoring the importance of meaningful service.

Second, the resilience of Muhammadiyah lies in the strong character of its human resources. He highlighted six key traits of Muhammadiyah cadres: steadfast faith, patience, honesty, obedience to religious and state laws, generosity, and the gentlemanly attitude of admitting mistakes. He noted that generosity is the spirit that allows AUM institutions to grow and continue serving society.

Third, Muhammadiyah will continue to endure because the mission of enjoining good and forbidding evil remains ever relevant. As long as wrongdoing exists in the world, the struggle of Persyarikatan must go on.

At the end of his sermon, Prof. Dadang invited all attendees to improve the quality of their worship and perform it sincerely. “Worship performed with an open heart and sincere intention will reflect positively in our character,” he reminded.

This Milad Reflection also served as a meaningful moment for UMPO and the Muhammadiyah community to strengthen their commitment to da’wah, broaden the reach of their service, and uphold the Islamic values entrusted by the founders of Muhammadiyah for more than a century.