Saturday, July 27, 2024

Inspiration of Dagestani Man Khabib Nurmagomedov

After winning a duel with Justin Gaetjhe in the UFC event at Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday (10/25/2020) he chose to retire. He admitted that he could not continue fighting without the presence of his father who is also his trainer. Shortly after that, on his Instagram, Khabib posted a photo with his father, and wrote: "When Allah is with you, nobody can break you, nobody." When Allah is with you, then nobody will destroy you, he wrote.

"I spoke to my mother three days ago. She didn't want me to fight without my father, but I promised her that this was my last fight, and I kept it, I had to do it," said Khabib in the octagon. Remembering his father who had just passed away, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov (July 2020, age 57) due to complications of Covid-19, he continued his writing, "Thanks father for everything, you taught all my life, may Allah grant you the highest paradise." Thank you father for everything, you have taught all my life, may Allah reward you with the highest paradise.

Khabib is a 29-time UFC champion without defeat. His strength lies in freestyle wrestling - his father's teachings - which not all of his opponents are capable of. If his opponent is caught, I see it is difficult for them to escape from there, even Connor McGregor, the big mouth, the big mouth. I saw on khabib_nurmagomedov's Instagram, 10 hours after he posted the photo with a very inspiring caption, netizens who commented were already 147,872 people. Amazing. As of October 25, 2020, the IG has 23.6 million followers, follows 399 accounts, and has posted 3915 posts.

After the fight, Khabib also showed respect for his opponent. He told Gaethje, "Outside the octagon, I know you are an extraordinary person." I know how you take care of those closest to you. I know a lot about you, said Khabib, The Eagle. He also advised, "Take care of your parents. Because one day something will happen. You don't know what happens tomorrow." Khabib not only gave a message to his former opponent but also to all of us that the success we achieve on the battlefield of life is never separate from our parents, father or mother, or both.

He doesn't want to be a peanut who forgets its skin. He seems very dependent on his father. A kind of dependence as well as respect for the person who raised him and made him a great fighter in the UFC. When he does, he always points his finger up which means: "All this success is because of Allah, not because of me personally." Amazing. Rarely do we see a great fighter who is like that: remember Allah in his prime.

I imagine that Khabib's figure during the time of the Prophet Muhammad was like extraordinary friends who were ready to compete one on one. Maybe like Ali bin Abi Talib, the Asadullah (lion of Allah), or Khalid bin Walid, the Saifullahul Maslul (the unsheathed sword of Allah). His body is strong, and his skills are honed. Don't get emotional so you just hit him carelessly. His punches have meaning, there is value in them.

Khabib teaches us that respect for parents is mandatory, and must take priority. For those who have not had contact with their parents for a long time, it is best to contact them. Ask for prayers that your life path will be blessed.

Islam teaches to respect parents, as Allah SWT says: "And your Rabb has commanded humans not to worship but only Him and to do good to both parents as best as possible. And if one of the two or both of them is old by your side then do not say to either of them 'ah' and do not shout at either of them" (Al-Isra: 23) Likewise in the following verse: "And worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and do good to both mothers and fathers...." (An-Nisa: 36) 

In the hadith, the Prophet Muhammad saw. said: "God's pleasure is in the parents' pleasure, and Allah's displeasure is in the parents' disapproval."

Khabib's figure also teaches that the fights he does are not for money. But, to pass on values ​​and history to his people in the mountains of Dagestan, Russia. That's more or less what we can take from his statement: "I don't fight for the money. I fight for my legacy. I fight for history. I fight for my people."

It seems that he is also not crazy about respect. This is also extraordinary. Sometimes fighters compete to chase respect, but he doesn't. He said: "I don't think about, 'Oh, I'm finally getting my respect,' because I don't care about this." He doesn't care about the respect. His focus in the octagon is: "I smash my opponents." Yes, destroying his enemies.

His concern through this type of sport is legacy. Khabib seems to want to focus on maintaining his good name as a Muslim, a Dagestani, and a fighter with character. I care about my legacy. I care about my legacy, he said.

Khabib's presence in the UFC fight is a source of pride for many Indonesians, especially Muslims. Considering that every time he wins he always remembers the one above. Many memes were created inspired by it. There are also many writings and chats with inspiring traces from the 32-year-old man--at that time.

We should all learn from Khabib, a mighty man who is obedient to God and devoted to his parents. We need a character like that: great but not forgetful.

YANUARDI SYUKUR is an Indonesian writer who is also a lecturer, editor, researcher and speaker at various conferences and expert resource person on several Indonesian television stations and ministries. He has participated in various international programs in Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, the United States, as well as Ukraine. He is an anthropologist at Khairun University who is interested in various global issues. He is currently also active as Vice Chairman of the Islamic and Middle East Research Center (IMERC) of the University of Indonesia and is active in the Commission on Foreign Relations and International Cooperation of the Indonesian Ulama Council. E-mail: yanuardisyukur@gmail.com.

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