Islamic Constitutionalism: Social Movement and the Framework of the Indonesian Constitution

The main purpose of this article is to discuss Islamic constitutionalism in the context of Indonesian social movements. Constitutionalism is part of the study of constitutional law when the discussion focuses on the concept of limiting the power of the government. Using historical and sociological approaches, this article examines socio-political circumstances in Muslim society and their relationship to the spirit of constitutionalism in Indonesia. Indonesia does not explicitly name any particular religion in its Constitution, even though most of its population is Muslim. After a series of constitutional reforms over 1999– 2002, there was no formalization of Islam in the Constitution. Two important academic questions arise when dealing with this phenomenon. First, to what extent are Indonesia’s religious social movements involved in constructing the narrative of constitutionalism? Second, how do the spirit of constitutionalism and Islam play a role in strengthening Indonesia’s Constitution? This article notes that some Muslims in Indonesia have been striving to build a narrative of Islamic constitutionalism through social movements since the nation’s pre- independence era. Nevertheless, this Islamic constitutionalism has not resulted in the formalization of an Islamic constitution in Indonesia due to several factors: the historical roots of the nation’s establishment, the pluralist stance of Indonesia’s mainstream civil Islamic movements, and the presence of the Pancasila as the state ideology. This article also reveals that Indonesia’s Muslim majority and religious authorities play a role in building the spirit of constitutionalism; however, the formalization of a specific religion as the basis of the constitution has never been realized in Indonesia.

Revival of Islamic Civilization: Strategies for the Development of Muslim Society in the Thought of Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (Kebangkitan Tamadun Islam: Strategi Pembangunan Masyarakat Islam dalam Pemikiran Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi)

This study attempts at analysing Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi’s suggestions towards a revival of Islamic civilization as an alternative to the Western civilization. It is based on library research and is qualitative in nature as it basically focuses on textual analysis. Moreover, the major approaches are descriptive, analytical and evaluative. This study found that Nadwi believed in the capacities of Islamic civilization to be revived if the existing challenges are overcome. For him, despite its tremendous breakthroughs in the fields of science and technology, Western civilization is bound to fail due to its moral decline. Therefore, it is only an Islamic civilization which is overtaken by the Western civilization should lead the humanity. In light of his argument, this study explores the strategies provided by Nadwi for the development of Muslim society as a revival of Islamic civilization. It focuses on three basic domains, namely, intellectual, political, and institutional aspects of reform. Keywords: Western civilization, Muslim leadership, Ijtihad, Jihad, Intellectual reform, Political reform, Institutional reform. Abstrak Kajian ini cuba menganalisis cadangan Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi ke arah kebangkitan tamadun Islam sebagai alternatif kepada tamadun Barat. Ia berdasarkan penyelidikan perpustakaan dan sifat kualitatif di mana ia pada dasarnya memberi tumpuan kepada analisis tekstual. Selain itu, pendekatan utama adalah deskriptif, analisis dan penilaian. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa Nadwi percaya kepada keupayaan tamadun Islam untuk dihidupkan semula jika cabaran sedia ada dapat diatasi. Baginya, walaupun kejayaannya yang luar biasa dalam bidang sains dan teknologi, tamadun Barat sebenarnnya gagal kerana kemerosotan moralnya. Oleh itu, Nadwi menegaskan bahawa hanyalah tamadun Islam yang harus memimpin manusia. Kajian ini meneroka hujah Nadwi tentang strategi untuk pembangunan masyarakat Islam sebagai usaha ke arah kebangkitan semula tamadun Islam. Ia memberi tumpuan kepada tiga domain asas, iaitu, intelektual, politik, dan aspek institusi pembaharuan. Kata Kunci: Tamadun Barat, Kepimpinan Islam, Ijtihad, Jihad, Pembaharuan Intelektual, Pembaharuan Politik, Pembaharuan Institusi.

Implementation of The Mui’s Fatwa No.14/2020 Concerning Worship During Pandemic: Study on Muslim Society in Ternate

This article describes how Muslims deal with fatwa through examining the extent to which Muslims in Ternate (North Maluku) respond to MUI’ fatwa concerning the application of ibadah (worship) during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. In order to control and prevent the infection of the virus widely, people are required to stay at home and to keep their distance from crowds, including attending congregational worship (shalat jamaah) in mosques as issued in the MUI’s fatwa. The fieldwork was conducted in Ternate between March-May 2021, using qualitative research methods through participatory observation and interview. This article shows that the obedience of Muslim society in Ternate to the MUI’s fatwa is not only determined by aspects of the religious authority of the MUI, but also by local government, local religious leaders, and pragmatic considerations of the society as well as their perception about the dangerous impact of the Covid-19.

Prohibition from Qabool-e-Haq- A Quranic Perspective

Amar-bil-Ma’roof and Nahi Ani-ul-Munkir is the fundamental tenet of Islam. Muslims are expected to adhere to this doctrine as a fundamental pillar of Islam to such an extent that this tenant forms the entire fabric of the society as an institution. This elevates the Muslim society to be the best among all. However, there are certain impediments and deviants that stop a person to embark on the path of righteousness. This article attempts to identify such factors from the Quranic perspective. Finally, some suggestions have been proposed to promote good in the society.

GENDER ASPECTS OF SUFI PRACTICES IN KAZAKHSTAN AND ABROAD

Previously, women have played an important role in the development of Sufism. Sufi tradition recognizes the unity of being, regardless of the gender duality of the world. The recognition of this doctrine contributed to the spiritual development of women in Sufism. Sufi women play an important role in tariqah. The study of the female Sufi experience, as well as the influence that women had on the Sufi worldview and Sufi practice, is not only valuable from a cultural and historical point of view, but also helps to better understand the place and role of women in Muslim society. In this regard, the article is devoted to the role of women in modern Sufi groups in the world and in Kazakhstan. Famous women-Sufis in history, modern female Sufi organizations in the world and participation of women in modern Kazakhstani tariqas will be considered. The aim is to examine Sufi organizations through the prism of female actors. The materials of the article are based on data from open information and academic sources. Also on field research of Sufi groups in Kazakhstan and Turkey from 2016 to the current period.

THE THE CONCEPT OF “HAPPINESS” IN THE WORKS OF AL-FARABI AND THE RELIGIONS OF ISLAM

In this article, we will try to study deeply about the concept of “happiness” based on religious concepts in the Arab-Muslim society and to determine the notion of “happiness”. Analyzing the foundational and theoretical significance of the concept of “happiness” in Islam, quoting from the texts of the Quran and Hadith, thereby we explained the meaning of “happiness” and its role. Also, the article presents the views of Kazakhstani and Arab-Muslim scholars’ about “happiness”. We use methods of comparative theoretical research of the “happiness” concept. According to the verses of the Quran and Hadith in Islam, a Muslim must not only learn and practice in this life but also pray to Allah in the hope of achieving endless happiness in his future life. Believers trust in a new life that begins after worldly life, that is, an eternal life, and they believe real-life and infinite happiness will be found only in the future. In religious texts, the eternal soul is happy only with the sounds of eternal happiness. Hereby, a religious person knows that material happiness cannot make him happy totally.

Assessing budgetary management of local government in Aceh, Indonesia

<p>This interpretive case-based study explores issues of budgetary management in Aceh provincial government. Until 2018, Aceh showed significant problems in its budget cycle with the budget being approved late every year except 2014. Thus, this study aims to investigate the reasons for these delays, along with their impacts on budget execution. Further, as Aceh is a predominantly Muslim society with Islamic values and principles fundamental to its culture and identity, this study also explores whether Islamic teachings are well-embedded in its government budgeting. To investigate these issues, I gathered written materials related to the budgeting process and conducted 19 interviews with local government officials, politicians, Muslim scholars, and a corruption watchdog, analysing these through three linked accountability frameworks: considering accountability through relationship, responsibility, and answerability dimensions, Boltanski and Thévenot’s (1999) Sociology of Worth (SoW) framework, and Islamic accountability. I found the key reasons for the budget delays were miscommunications and heated debates in budget discussions between Aceh’s legislature and executive government resulting from conflicts of interest and priorities. The budget delays negatively affected budget execution, which, since Aceh’s economy depends heavily on government spending, reduced economic activity and so the social welfare of its people. Given the problems in its budgetary management, including budget delays, conflicting interests, and lack of transparency, the implementation of Islamic principles and values in Aceh’s government budgeting remains unsatisfactory. This study offers several contributions to the literature and practice: (i) it generates new ideas for the classification of SoW’s orders of worth when applied to public budgeting and accountability in a devout Muslim society; (ii) it outlines some challenges in implementing Islamic principles and values into government budgeting; and (iii) it notes some potential improvements for Aceh provincial government to achieve better budgetary management and accountability.</p>

Assessing budgetary management of local government in Aceh, Indonesia

<p>This interpretive case-based study explores issues of budgetary management in Aceh provincial government. Until 2018, Aceh showed significant problems in its budget cycle with the budget being approved late every year except 2014. Thus, this study aims to investigate the reasons for these delays, along with their impacts on budget execution. Further, as Aceh is a predominantly Muslim society with Islamic values and principles fundamental to its culture and identity, this study also explores whether Islamic teachings are well-embedded in its government budgeting. To investigate these issues, I gathered written materials related to the budgeting process and conducted 19 interviews with local government officials, politicians, Muslim scholars, and a corruption watchdog, analysing these through three linked accountability frameworks: considering accountability through relationship, responsibility, and answerability dimensions, Boltanski and Thévenot’s (1999) Sociology of Worth (SoW) framework, and Islamic accountability. I found the key reasons for the budget delays were miscommunications and heated debates in budget discussions between Aceh’s legislature and executive government resulting from conflicts of interest and priorities. The budget delays negatively affected budget execution, which, since Aceh’s economy depends heavily on government spending, reduced economic activity and so the social welfare of its people. Given the problems in its budgetary management, including budget delays, conflicting interests, and lack of transparency, the implementation of Islamic principles and values in Aceh’s government budgeting remains unsatisfactory. This study offers several contributions to the literature and practice: (i) it generates new ideas for the classification of SoW’s orders of worth when applied to public budgeting and accountability in a devout Muslim society; (ii) it outlines some challenges in implementing Islamic principles and values into government budgeting; and (iii) it notes some potential improvements for Aceh provincial government to achieve better budgetary management and accountability.</p>

Women Empowerment in Islam and its Implications in the Contemporary World

The main objective of this research paper is to highlight that Islam gives equal opportunities to women socially, politically and economically. She has equal rights as a social and political individual in a Muslim society. Islam upholds a segregated work-sphere for women i.e. it takes into account her physique, self-respect, modesty and protection and rather offers a privileged status. Women have taken part in all spheres of life in the early Islamic era which testifies to the progressive and modern approach of Islam.