Hijrah or Left Behind: It's Time for Research to Become a Path to Change

And those who believe, emigrate and strive in the way of Allah, they hope for Allah's mercy. And Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful
(QS. Al-Baqarah: 218)

Opinion expressed at the moment of the new year 1448 Hijjriyah,

By: Andi Aladin,

Professor of Chemical Engineering, FTI UMI, Secretariat of LP2S UMI Makassar

Master's Thesis Research Scheme (PTM) funded by DPPM Kemdiktisaintek 2026 "Use of Waste in Waste Processing"

The momentum of the Islamic New Year 1448 Hijriyah should not only be interpreted as a change in numbers in the Islamic calendar. The event of the Prophet's migration from Mecca to Medina contains a very profound message of change. Hijrah is a symbol of courage to leave limitations towards progress, leave stagnation towards civilization, and leave backwardness towards a better future. Therefore, the spirit of emigration is actually relevant throughout time, including in the world of higher education, research and scientific development.

In the midst of the increasingly rapid pace of technological development, nations capable of producing knowledge and innovation will lead change. On the other hand, those who are only technology users will always be behind. In this context, our choice is actually simple but decisive: emigrate or be left behind. Migrating means having the courage to make changes, strengthening the research culture, and continuing to strive to produce findings that provide real benefits to society.

For universities, research is not just an academic obligation or a means of producing scientific publications. Research is an instrument of social and economic change. The various advances that humans enjoy today, from health technology, energy, food, to communication, were born from a long research process and are often full of challenges. Therefore, building a research culture is actually building the foundation for the nation's future. Every research carried out seriously is an investment in knowledge that can be a solution to various problems faced by society.

Islam itself gives enormous rewards to those who bring benefits to others. Rasulullah SAW said:

'Whoever initiates a good deed in Islam, then he gets his reward and the reward of those who practice it after that without reducing their reward in the slightest.'(HR. Muslim).

This hadith provides a very interesting perspective for the world of research and innovation. A researcher who discovers new technology, more effective learning methods, innovations in processing natural resources, or various solutions that help people's lives, is actually opening a path for goodness whose benefits can continue to flow. When these findings are used, developed, and provide benefits to many people, their goodness will continue to increase. Thus, useful research not only has scientific value, but also has dimensions of worship and charity.

Therefore, the momentum of the Islamic New Year 1448 Hijriyah needs to be a point of reflection for all academic people to strengthen their commitment to quality and impactful research. We need more research that can answer society's needs, more innovation that solves real problems, and more collaboration that connects science with the benefit of the people. It is time for research not to stop on library shelves or scientific journals, but to present itself as a solution whose benefits are felt by the wider community.

The spirit of emigration teaches that big changes always start with the courage to take the first step. In the academic world, this step can take the form of having the courage to research new things, explore innovative ideas, and present findings that add value to human life. If Rasulullah SAW made the hijrah the starting point for the birth of a glorious Islamic civilization, then today's academic people must use research as a way to build a more advanced, independent and prosperous civilization.

In the end, the Islamic New Year is not only a momentum to remember history, but also an opportunity to determine the direction of the future. In an era of increasingly competitive global competition, we don't have many choices. We must migrate towards a culture of science, research and innovation, or be prepared to be left behind by change. Therefore, let's use the spirit of emigration as energy to continue working, researching and innovating in order to improve the quality of life and human welfare

Happy New Year 1 Muharram 1448 H

Greetings Indonesia Research

Greetings UMI Superior