Afkaruna: Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Studies

Islam and Scholarship Tradition: Historical Trajectories and Future Challenges of Modernity

Mohammad Fadel — 2024-12-21

Various forms of modernity that appear in phenomena of secularism, capitalism, and democracy have been penetrating Muslim lives. These social, economic, and political phenomena not only bring opportunities for a human betterment but also challenges to Islamic tradition and community. Muslim scholars and prominent figures offer different ways of how to deal with modernity and its challenges, ranging from adopting modernity while disregarding Islamic tradition, clinging to Islamic tradition and rejecting modernity, to selecting useful aspects of modernity and Islam to adapt to new circumstances. In this regard, this paper aims to address the question of what the modern challenges are, how Islam and Muslims deal with them, and what aspects of Islamic tradition that can be adopted to navigate multiple challenges of modernity. Through a critical reading of contemporary studies on religion and modernity and an analysis of Islamic scholarship and legal tradition, this paper argues that Islamic traditional scholarships provide Muslims with reliable tools to address challenges of modernity through the spirit of epistemic responsibility, Islamic virtues which includes honesty, respect for evidence, and acting for the benefit of others, civic virtue, and critical thinking skills.

History in Motion: Nūr al-Dīn al-Rānīrī’s Retelling of ʿAbbāsid History in Seventeenth Century Aceh

Verena Meyer — 2024-12-21

This article focuses on the seventeenth-century Islamic scholar Nūr al-Dīn al-Rānīrī (d. 1658), who became especially known for his harsh oppression of monistic Sufism during his tenure as Shaykh al-Islām at the Acehnese court. Yet, some indications suggest that Rānīrī’s opposition to Sufism was not as clear-cut as it first seems. Revisiting a thus-far unanswered question about a strange idiosyncrasy in Rānīrī’s magnum opus, a universal history in Malay titled Bustān al-Salāṭīn, this article seeks to dislodge simplistic understandings of the legitimacy of certain strands of Sufism, the polemics around charges of being “monistic,” and Rānīrī’s own positionality.

Revitalizing Ijtihād and Ittibāʾ in Abdul Hamid Hakim’s Works: A Study of Intellectual Reforms Within Islamic Legal Theory

Ahwan Fanani — 2024-12-21

Uṣūl fiqh played an important role in the discussion of fiqh, but it is no longer applied for legal deduction due to the prevalent idea of taqlīd (imitation). The taqlīd hinders Islamic the scholars from referring to the Quran and sunnah directly. Abdul Hamid Hakim's efforts to revitalize ijtihād (independent reasoning) and ittibāʾ (evidence based accaptance) have brought new nuances to uṣūl fiqh. This paper aims to describe the thoughts of ijtihād and ittibāʾ in the works of Hakim and to reveal the influence of Islamic renewal. This paper is based on literature research using qualitative methods with a historical approach. This research shows that the uṣūl fiqh works of Hakim are written with an applicative approach. He arranges his works as teaching materials for beginners to advanced students. The idea of revitalizing ijtihād and encouraging ittibāʾ in Hakim’s works resonated Islamic renewal idea in the early 20^th century, marked by the creed of returning to the Quran and sunnah and the opening the ijtihād door. Hakim’s works have contributed to the development of Islamic legal thought in Indonesia, which influenced subsequent efforts to reform Islamic law in the country.

Hadji Agus Salim's Islamic Feminism Thoughts and Its Contribution to Contemporary Islamic Studies

Ermagusti Ermagusti — 2024-12-21

This article explores the discourse on Islamic feminism through the perspective of H. Agus Salim. Using a descriptive-analytical method and an Islamic feminist approach rooted in harmony and justice—distinct from Western notions of equality—the study examines Salim’s works as primary sources, supported by secondary materials such as books, journal articles, and online resources discussing his thought. The findings reveal: (1) Salim advocates for equality in rights and responsibilities between men and women, particularly in education; (2) he approaches the hijab with a contextual and historical understanding, considering asbab al-nuzul; (3) he views the veil not merely as a piece of cloth but as a potential symbol of oppression; (4) he favors monogamy over polygamy, emphasizing the challenges of achieving justice and the historical specificity of certain rulings; and (5) he acknowledges the inevitability of women assuming leadership roles. This study highlights Salim’s nuanced stance on gender issues within an Islamic framework.

Navigating Compliant Agency in Cyberspace: Muslim Womanhood Through the Lens of Oki Setiana Dewi

Asya Dwina Luthfia — 2024-12-21

In contrast to the stereotype that docile Muslim women are confined to domestic roles, this study examines how Muslim womanhood can balance economic independence with adherence to religious and societal expectations. Focusing on the case of Indonesian ustadzah (Islamic preacher) Oki Setiana Dewi, this research explored her agency as expressed through her Instagram activity. Cultivating the compliant agency, this article asserts that consciously adhering to religious values preserves patriarchal expectations while gaining authority and financial freedom. This study utilized qualitative content analysis, collecting data from Oki’s Instagram account using "Instalouder" and analyzing captions with "Voyant Tools" to identify recurring themes. Oki's persona conforms to what society expects of women. She portrays herself as a devout Ustadzah, a prosperous entrepreneur, and a mother who is dedicated to her kids. This illustrates cyberspace as a place where women preserve traditional norms as well as a space for them to express their agency. It fosters a duality of cyberspace that is both empowering and constraining. This raises critical issues that Oki's narrative, while seemingly empowering, reinforces patriarchal norms that confine women to domestic and religious obligations, even to their agency. In other words, her portrayal emphasizes the ability to balance public and private roles but leaves room for questioning the societal structures that enforce these expectations. It raises critical questions about whether such an agency disrupts or perpetuates systemic inequalities in Indonesia's gendered social landscape.

Theo-anthropocentric Paradigm of Tafsir At-Tanwir by Muhammadiyah and its Application in the Interpretation of Surah Al-Baqarah/2: 286

Muhammad Ridha Basri — 2024-12-21

This article examines the shift in meaning offered by Tafsir At-Tanwir by the Tarjih and Tajdid Council of PP Muhammadiyah towards surah al-Baqarah/2: 286. Tafsir At-Tanwir understands that the fragment of the verse lahā mā kasabat in that verse does not only mean recompense in the hereafter but also rewards in the world. Through the descriptive-analytical research method, the writer finds that the shift in meaning cannot be separated from the interpretation paradigm used by Tafsir At-Tanwir, namely the theo-anthropocentric paradigm. Theo-anthropocentric paradigm is a synthesis of the-centrism and anthropocentric paradigms. With this paradigm, Tafsir At-Tanwir carries the theory of corrective distributive justice as a form of correction to the theory of distributive justice proposed by John Rawls with the principle of proportional difference. The basic principle of this theory is that everyone gets rewarded according to their contribution. Tafsir At-Tanwir corrects this principle by stating that some people cannot possibly contribute due to special circumstances, such as physical disabilities or old age. For them, there is a wealth distribution mechanism with worldly and hereafter dimensions, such as through zakat, infaq, and alms. The development of the meaning of surah al-Baqarah/2: 286 is an implication of theo-anthropocentric paradigm.

Inclusive, Exclusive, Didactic: Typologies of Islamic Thought on Apostasy in Muhammadiyah

Sholihul Huda — 2024-12-21

This study explored the typologies of Islamic thought among Muhammadiyah elites in East Java concerning the discourse on apostasy. Responses vary, with the inclusive view treating apostasy as a private matter between the individual and God, a basic human right with no legal consequences, supported by the Qur'an and the 1945 Constitution. The exclusive view, however, sees apostasy as a public offense, where freedom of choice is conditional and legal repercussions are necessary. The didactic perspective understands apostasy as a moral error, best addressed through education and compassionate guidance to encourage a return to Islam. The findings indicate a dominant trend towards inclusive views but reveal inconsistencies, as elites may express inclusive views on religious freedom while adopting exclusive stances on legal aspects of apostasy. Despite these differences, all maintain a didactic approach when dealing with apostasy within families. This study underscored the dynamic nature of Islamic thought in Muhammadiyah, challenging the perception of rigidity and highlighting the influence of diverse sociological and intellectual backgrounds.

Jurisprudential Welfare Through the Transformation of the “Rendang-Mu” Qurban Meat Management System

Mardiyan Hayati — 2024-12-21

This study aims to explore the values of benefit from the perspective of Islamic law regarding the transformation of qurban meat management through the Rendang-Mu program within the Lembaga Amil Zakat Infaq Shadaqah Muhammadiyah (LAZISMU) in the Central Java region, Indonesia. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Data collection techniques involved snowball and purposive sampling, with analysis conducted using the maqasid al-Shariah theory by al-Shatibi. The findings indicate that the Rendang-Mu Program represents a transformation in the pattern of meat management and distribution, implementing a system of qurban meat management through canning and packaging with three essential benefits that facilitate and enhance its utility: (1) prolonged consumption and distribution over an extended period, (2) practical, delicious, and nutritious, (3) more evenly distributed reach, (4) high flexibility in achieving community food security, and (5) compliance with Islamic law.

The Influence of Traditional Religious Authority on Digital Preachers: Case Studies of Ustadz Hanan Attaki and Ustadz Adi Hidayat

Yahya Fathur Rozy — 2024-12-21

This research aims to investigate whether traditional religious authorities in the case of two largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia (Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah) still have greater authority than the new media friendly religious figures. This research employs the bai’at (edification) of Ustadz Hanan Attaki (UHA) to Nahdlatul Ulama and the admission of Ustadz Adi Hidayat (UAH) to the Muhammadiyah General Board as a case study. This research attemps to answer two questions: How do new religious authorities still need to rely on traditional religious authorities? Why are the traditional religious authorities in NU & Muhammadiyah still able to survive during the development of new media and the emergence of new religious authorities? Using the theoretical framework of Max Weber, this study explains the process of forming authority. This research finds that first, new religious authorities lack key elements of "authority." The long-established structures within traditional groups provide a level of legitimacy that is difficult for new religious authorities to replicate without integrating into these networks. Second, traditional authorities have spent decades, even centuries, building a loyal following and strong organizational infrastructure. These networks are supported by political capital, granting traditional authorities protection, and influence that new figures cannot easily access.

From Saudi to Social Media: Arabization of Islam Via Salafi Instagram Accounts in Indonesia

Mirza Nursyabani — 2024-12-21

This paper argues that Salafists, through the use of social media platforms like Instagram, are not only disseminating their interpretation of Islamic teachings but also serving as representatives of the Arabization of Islam in Indonesia. In support of this argument, this research involved an ethnographic data search by randomly sampling Instagram accounts that spread Salafism and are linked with the Arabization of Islam. The focus was specifically on the @dakwah_tauhid and @mahasiswa salaf Instagram accounts. It is argued that social media, particularly Instagram, serves as a modern platform for Salafists to propagate Islamic teachings based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. Through consistent content creation, they have garnered hundreds of thousands to a million followers, indicating their value in the Muslim community in Indonesia. Coupled with using social media like Instagram to preach ‘pure’ Islam, these accounts also function as influencers that contribute to the Arabization of Islam in Indonesia. This is evident in several aspects of their content, which emphasizes the Saudi interpretation of Islam. This includes referencing religious rulings (fatwas) issued by Saudi ulama, showcasing lectures by scholars who graduated from Saudi institutions, and promoting educational institutions in Indonesia that are managed by Saudi-trained graduates.

Identity of the Malay and Nusantara Islam Society: An Analysis Through Yusuf al-Qaradawi's Islamic Transformation Thought

Otoman Otoman — 2024-12-21

This article explores the identity of the Malay and Nusantara Muslim societies by analyzing the transformative Islamic thought of Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. Al-Qaradawi’s approach to Islamic reform emphasizes the need to contextualize Islamic teachings, offering a flexible and dynamic interpretation of the faith that aligns with the realities of modern societies. In the context of Malay and Nusantara Islam, this article delved into the interaction between traditional Islamic values, indigenous cultures, and the challenges posed by globalization and modernity. The analysis employs a qualitative research methodology, using a comprehensive literature review of primary sources, such as Al-Qaradawi’s key works on Islamic reform and his commentaries on contemporary Islamic issues. Secondary sources, including scholarly articles and books on Malay and Nusantara Islam, are also analyzed to provide a broader context for his influence in the region. A thematic analysis of key concepts, such as ijtihad (independent reasoning), reform, and the intersection of Islamic teachings with modern social and political realities, forms the backbone of the study. This methodology allows for a critical evaluation of how Al-Qaradawi’s thought contributes to the shaping of Islamic identity in the Malay Archipelago, offering both theoretical and practical insights into the relevance of his ideas for contemporary Muslim societies.

Revealing Annemarie Schimmel's Interpretation of The Sufi Texts Through Gadamer's Philosophical Hermeneutic Analysis

Muhammad Hisyam Syafii — 2024-12-21

This study presents common problems of Sufi texts’ interpretation by orientalists, with a specific emphasis on the Annemarie Schimmel’s works. The primary purpose of this study is to uncover biases and limitations that may reside in Schimmel's approach to Sufism and to pave the way for a more reflective and contextual approach in Islamic studies. This work employs a philosophical hermeneutic approach developed by Hans-Georg Gadamer. The primary data source comes from Schimmel's works on Sufism, while secondary data are obtained from academic literature related to hermeneutics, Orientalism, and the study of Sufism. The results of the study show that Schimmel's understanding of Sufi texts is influenced by her prejudices and understandings as an orientalist. Schimmel's "casting fusion" process produces a rich interpretation but is not free from inherent bias. In conclusion, this study has revealed essential dimensions in the hermeneutics of Sufi texts studied by Schimmel and the emphasis on the need for more critical and reflective cross-cultural dialogue to understand the Islamic spiritual tradition more deeply.