Launching the “Fiqh for Psychosocial Mental Disabilities” Book: Senator Gus Hilmy Wants to Eliminate Stigma and Achieve Equality

21 June 2026 oleh admin

Yogyakarta, dpd.go.id - Member of The House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) from the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) and Secretary of the Syuriyah of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), Dr. H. Hilmy Muhammad, M.A., today accompanied the launch of the book “Fikih Penguatan Disabilitas Mental Psikososial” of Fiqh for Psychosocial Mental DIsabilities, (Sunday, 21/06/26). This event is a form of strategic collaboration between the Bahtsul Masail Institute (LBM) PBNU and the National Commission on Disabilities (KND).

The event, which was held at the Al-Falah Islamic Boarding School, was also attended by the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs and Secretary General of PBNU, H. Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), the Caretaker of Al-Falah Islamic Boarding School K.H. Abdurrahman Kautsar (Gus Kautsar), the KND commissioners, Nyai Hj. Fatimah Asri M., KH. Mahbub Maafi, Agus Hasan Hidayat, and Abi S. Nugraha, as well as the teachers and students of Ma'had Aly.

Gus Hilmy, the familiar greeting of Dr. H. Hilmy Muhammad, M.A. emphasized that the launch of this book is a continuation of the previous book on physical disability jurisprudence, as well as an embodiment of the decision of the NU Congress in Lampung which forbids the practice of shackling for people with psychosocial mental disabilities.

"This book is PBNU's response to various issues circulating in society. We still face problems with a mindset that stigmatizes, discriminates against, and treats people with disabilities as second-class citizens. Yet, the Quran explicitly states that Allah created us all equal," said the member of Committee II of the DPD RI.

Furthermore, Gus Hilmy highlighted the essence of "reason" ('aqil) from a fiqh perspective and its relationship to how society treats people with mental disabilities.

"According to Sheikh Ahmad ath-Thayyar, if your reason controls you from doing something that is not appropriate, then you are a rational person. The reverse understanding is, if we do something that is not appropriate, then we are actually not rational. That is why the era before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW is called the Jahiliyah era; not because the people were stupid, but because they did not use their reason properly to humanize humans," explained one of the Caretakers of the Krapyak Islamic Boarding School in Yogyakarta.

Gus Hilmy also emphasized that the distribution of understanding and books on Islamic jurisprudence should not stop at the launch event, but should be continuously disseminated to various levels of society.

"This doesn't end here. The distribution of this idea should be carried out continuously to many places. We still face problems with a mindset that stigmatizes, discriminates, and makes friends with disabilities as second-class citizens. Yet we are all the same. It is our obligation as kiai, fuqaha, and ulama to make society aware of the mission of religion that equalizes us all, as the Quran states that Allah created us all equal and equal," emphasized the Head of the Ukhuwah Division at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).

In line with this, the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Gus Ipul, stated that this scientific-religious document is not just a regular publication, but rather an instrument of social transformation. He explained that people with psychosocial disabilities often experience discrimination in their rights, ranging from access to worship and marriage to employment.

"Fiqh is not static but rather dynamic with the times. This book provides highly operational guidance: from worship procedures during mental disorders, the right to marry, spiritual guidance, to social etiquette," explained Gus Ipul.

He added that mental health issues are heavily influenced by the authority of religious leaders at the community level. This book is expected to serve as a tool to train kiai, ustaz, nyai, religious instructors, and other religious figures so that every sermon and sermon they deliver builds empathy, rather than reinforcing stigma.

In his remarks, Gus Kautsar also reminded the students of their moral responsibility to social realities. He emphasized that rejection of differences is often rooted in the human instinct of over-loving oneself.

"Self-love is important, but if we nurture it to the point where it makes others look unattractive, unkind, or unspecial, that's a problem. Many shortcomings can actually be overcome, but we just don't understand the method or the knowledge," said Gus Kautsar.