It's up to God

Seven Monthly

Six months later, it does not feel the age of Nadira's womb has stepped on seven months. As a descendant of Java, Nadira wanted to do this seven-monthly event, expecting salvation and being grateful for the blessings that God has given because he has left the baby in his stomach. Ammar, who did not want to discourage Nadira, suggested to consult their parents, especially Abi Lutfi who better understand the science of religion than them.

Without thinking for long, Nadira asked Ammar to contact Abi Lutfi and Papa Sultan. They do group phones because of the considerable distance of the house. Moreover, his position, Nadira could not be too tired. Fear of endangering the condition of Nadira and their future baby.

Phone is on. Like most Muslims, they say hello at the beginning of the conversation. Sultan who really understands the nature of his daughter, immediately asked because usually Nadira if you have called nights, there is an important thing to say.

"What's important, Nadira to say? You know your nature, if you do not ask for opinions, there must be other important things that you have to finish right now," he said with a smile, looking at the face of his beloved daughter from behind a cellphone. In this all-digital era, the positive impact is to be able to meet even by phone.

Nadira was a little afraid to express his wishes because he was worried that Abi Lutfi would not agree, held a seven-month schedule. Ammar, who saw Nadira's concern, helped speak carefully to their parents.

"I'm sorry, Pa, Bi. May I explain what we mean by calling these nights?" ammar.

Both answered compactly.

"Byeah" said Abi Lutfi and Papa Sultan.

"So, Bi, Pa. As we know, if Papa will have Javanese descent, well .. Nadira's gestational age has now stepped on seven months. Can I have a seven-month event?" ammar asked with a long breath.

Instantaneous silence. Although the Sultan (his father Nadira) is of Javanese descent, he still appreciates his son's decision to hold a seven-monthly event or not. In addition, the Sultan also appreciated his iron to express his opinion because it was more understanding of religion than him.

"If papa, it's up to you. If necessary, please do. Only, we ask first to Abi Lutfi who does understand how the law in Islam if holding this seven-month event? Do not let because we kekeh want to carry out the customs or traditions of the ancestors, even against the teachings of our own religion."

The answer and advice from the Sultan was wise enough, this made Nadira became resigned to the decision of Abi Lutfi. He does not want to be selfish, in order to fulfill his wishes, but to ruin everything.

There are several traditions in Indonesia that are commonly done by pregnant women and their families. One of them is to hold a salvation event held at the age of seven months or better known as a seven-monthly salvation. Especially in Javanese customs or traditions, the seven-monthly salvation event is usually called mitoni or tingkeban which is a symbol of ethics so that the child born runs well or with the term menthuk which means to pick up. The term is taken from the word pitu which means seven. Some also call it nujubulanin.

In the Javanese tradition, this event is held to show a careful attitude in carrying out noble obligations. The condition of pregnant women such as "sapta kukila warsa" means that the bird is rained, the bird looks tired and less helpless, can not go anywhere, and so on, therefore the most efficacious is to pray that the baby is born safe. So indirectly, the meaning in the seven months is the symbols of ritual communication. Ritual communication can be interpreted as the process of meaning the message of a group to its beliefs.

According to the Indonesian Big Dictionary (KBBI 2001:959) ritual communication is about rites or ordinances in religious ceremonies. According to Koentjaraningrat (2002:190), meaning ritual ceremony or ceremony is a system of activities or a series of actions laid out by customs or laws that apply in the community related to various events that usually occur in the community concerned.

The seven-monthly event itself starts from the flush event, brojolan event, distribution of shady attractions and sales of dawet (rujak). Some of these events have different meanings, ranging from watering that has the meaning of purifying the birth and inner mother and prospective baby. The brojolan event is the father of the future baby launching two cloves from behind the cloth worn by the mother. Cloves or young coconuts used previously have been painted with Dewi Kamaratih which symbolizes baby girls and Lord Kamajaya symbolizes baby boys. Next is takir pontang or where the food served is made of banana tree leaves and janur shaped like a ship which means that in wading the ark life must organize itself with thought. The last is the sale of dawet and rujak which means the effort as a parent to meet the needs of his child later.

Narrated from Aisyah radhiyallahu ‘anha, he said, Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said: “Whoever holds something in our business that is not included in it, then he is rejected.” [HR. al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In addition, in the hadith sourced from the Prophet Muhammad's friend Salallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, Ibn Mas'ud also explained as follows.

Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: “Tradition that is considered good by Muslims is also good according to Allah. Traditions that are considered ugly by Muslims, then ugly also according to Allah.” (CHR. Ahmad, Abu Ya’la and al-Hakim)

Finally, after a day of deliberations, they decided to hold the event by inviting orphans for prayer and recitation as well as distributing the parcels for the orphans.

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After the seven-monthly event was over, Ammar announced the important thing in front of everyone.

"Before, I thank all those who have helped my seven-monthly Nadira—wife pregnancy event. May the prayers offered be granted by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala" said Ammar. "I am very happy for my wife's pregnancy, now I want to share another happy news. Three more days will be done Art Week and National Culture Week. Thank God, I am involved in this event and will be exhibiting some of the paintings I have created." Ammar announced with pride.

Everyone feels good to hear it. Nadira moved from her seat. Ammar helped Nadira to his feet.

"You don't move much, honey. Why are you later. Remember the doctor's message, you can't be soy, yes." It is clear from the look on Ammar's face that he is very worried about his wife.

"I'm fine, really. There are you who always take care of me" said Nadira while smiling and hugging Ammar. "Congratulations, yes. Finally your work will be seen by everyone at the big event" Nadira continued, proud.

"Thank you for the support all this time, yes," said Ammar while peeping Nadira's forehead.

"Either. I also thank you for taking care of me all this time. After all, you have also been supporting me in anything, including the successful launch of my first novel before we got married. You remember all that, right?" Nadira plays back the old memories that lead her to marriage. How Ammar proposed and asked for his parents' blessing, as well as some other moments that Ammar was always involved in his life.

Nadira's happiness will be complete when his baby with Ammar was born into the world. In just two months, they will be able to see a tiny baby who has been living in Nadira's womb. May God always take care of the mother and her future baby. That is the hope of everyone.

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