Muḥammad ‘Ābid al-Jābirī’s Thoughts on Tradition and Modernity in Renewal

<span class="fontstyle0">The tradition is something that is present and accompanies contemporary ours, which comes from the past, or could be said of all that is human-related to aspects of thought in Islamic civilization, ranging from the teaching of the doctrinal, shariah, language, literature, art, pen, and sufism. Modern not to break with the past but to upgrade the attitude and stance by assuming the pattern of our relationship with tradition in modern culture. The relation of tradition and modernity, according to al-Jābirī was keeping the good old traditions and take a new tradition better that is, the tradition was reconstructed to internalize the contemporary thoughts. Al-Jābirī strongly emphasized contemporary Arab thoughts (bayani, 'irfani, </span><span class="fontstyle2">burhani</span><span class="fontstyle0">) as a way to confront modernity. The idea's important contribution is to introduce to us the various constructs reasoning developed in the Islamic world.</span> <br /><br />

Islamic Renewal Project: Ḥassan Ḥanafī and Indonesian Intellectual Muslims

<span class="fontstyle0">This article aims to examine the Islamic reform project through the reconstruction of theology and thought carried out by Ḥassan Ḥanafī and Indonesian Muslim intellectuals. Ḥassan Ḥanafī considered the need to reconstruct classical theology, which is regarded as too abstract in describing theological terms and does not have a strong practical basis as a value for the action. In criticizing classical theology, Ḥassan Ḥanafī offers two theocentric theories, namely language analysis, and social reality analysis. Conducting library research that relies on written materials and analyzed with content analysis techniques, the present study shows that Ḥassan Ḥanafī’s theoanthropocentric theological ideas have intersections with the development of Islamic thought in Indonesia. This can be proven by the translation of Ḥassan Ḥanafī’s books and examining his thoughts in Indonesia. Apart from that, Ḥassan Ḥanafī’s thoughts find relevance in Indonesia because Indonesian Muslim scholars carry out similar reform projects.</span> <br /><br />

The Dayah Ulama’s Views on Plurality and Tolerance in Aceh

<span class="fontstyle0">Dayah ‘</span><span class="fontstyle2">ulama’ </span><span class="fontstyle0">or </span><span class="fontstyle2">teungku </span><span class="fontstyle0">dayah occupy a unique position in Acehnese society. They are a source of reference in various religious issues and social issues that develop in society. As the founder and manager of the dayah, traditional Islamic education institutions, the </span><span class="fontstyle2">‘ulama’ </span><span class="fontstyle0">or </span><span class="fontstyle2">teungku </span><span class="fontstyle0">dayah have cultural power in shaping and coloring the community’s knowledge and religious understanding. Therefore, their views regarding plurality and tolerance in Aceh are relevant to be studied to see one fragment in the opinions and attitudes of the </span><span class="fontstyle2">‘ulama’ </span><span class="fontstyle0">or tengku and Acehnese society regarding diversity in Aceh. In general, the </span><span class="fontstyle2">‘ulama’ </span><span class="fontstyle0">or </span><span class="fontstyle2">teungku </span><span class="fontstyle0">dayah interviewed in this study gave a complimentary view of the reality of pluralism in the Acehnese community both in terms of inter-religious and intra-Muslim relations. However, they provide limitations regarding the aspects that can be tolerated and which should be prohibited.</span> <br /><br />

Methods and Thoughts in the Islamic Theology

<p>The discourse that has developed so far around Islamic theology includes the emergence of dominant theological currents due to political factors. Yet if it is explored more in-depth, freedom of thought (tafakkur) is one of the main factors. Based on this understanding, two issues need to be discussed in this paper: First, how are the various methods and patterns of thought that develop in the realms of Islamic theology; Second, what issues are the subject of debate in the realms of Islamic theology. The discussion is carried out by descriptive analysis based on relevant sources that are not limited in number. The discussion results show that the thought processes carried out by kalam scholars (mutakallimīn) have had a significant influence on the growth and development of Islamic theology. The arguments of the mind that were fertilized by Greek philosophy and other civilizations also played an important role in developing Islamic theology. Besides, the formation of more dominant schools is due to the different methods of thinking in explaining God, His oneness, and His attributes.</p>

Sufism Thoughts of al-Qushayrī and It’s Relevance to Contemporary Muslim Societies

<span class="fontstyle0">Al-Qushayrī is one of the leading imams in the Sunni Sufism tradition. Mystical thinking within the integration framework between the shariah and </span><span class="fontstyle2">haqiqah </span><span class="fontstyle0">(</span><span class="fontstyle2">al-jam‘ bayna al-sharī’ah wa al-haqiqah</span><span class="fontstyle0">) instrumental in eroding the tension between the shariah and nature. In addition, al-Qushayrī’s thought of Sufism is moderate and balanced. So, it is appropriate to avoid extremes in religion. Thus, the sufism thought of al-Qushayrī is relevant for contemporary humans, especially Muslims societies, to balance advances in technology and science and material with the development of the spiritual dimension.</span> <br /><br />

Philosophy of Science in Islamic Thought Perspective

<span class="fontstyle0">Tracing a starting point that is very important from the traditional Islamic sciences, modern Western science was developed such that it adopts a philosophical footing. Unlike modern Islamic science, the philosophical footing is to be distinguished from the philosophical foundation of Islamic science. Indeed, Islamic science main concern is closely related to the basic philosophy of science issues is growing and is recognized today, including science paradigms and methodologies developed in the modern world that is more influenced by the thinking paradigm of the modern secular Western philosophy. This implies bias in epistemology and axiology between science and moral paradigm developed in Islam. In the practical level of science that was developed to be dried from a religious touch, these conditions afflict various disciplines of knowledge that Muslims studied. Therefore, Muslims increasingly need to differentiate between Islam and science that is not Islamic. Today, not many intellectual issues are more important to the contemporary Islamic world beyond the relationship between Islam and modern science.</span> <br /><br />

Da‘wah Activities of Jamā‘ah Masturah in Aceh Besar

<p><em>Jamā‘ah mastūrah </em>is <em>jamā‘ah tablīgh </em>women who take part in <em>da‘wah </em>activities. <em>jamā‘ah mastūrah </em>has different propaganda methods from the usual by the <em>dāi </em>(preacher man) and <em>dā’iyah </em>(female preachers) in general who preached in front of an audience. The method of preaching the <em>jamā‘ah mastūrah </em>is <em>fardiyah</em>, which is individual preaching to other women. This study aims to understand the roles of <em>jamā‘ah mastūrah </em>in preaching activities in Aceh Besar and how their <em>da‘wah </em>(<em>athar</em>) tothe community is the object of <em>da‘wah </em>(<em>mad‘ū</em>). This article results from field research conducted at three locations: Gampong Luthu, Gampong Cot Goh, and Gampong Neuheun in Aceh Besar. Data collection was through interviews and documentation studies. The findings are twofold: <em>first</em>, <em>jamā‘ah mastūrah </em>role as <em>da‘I</em><em> </em>well in conveying Islam to fellow women. The material of the <em>da‘wah </em>they convey is mainly related to orders to cover the <em>awrat</em>, abandon bad behavior, and invite them to attend recitation (<em>ta‘lim mastūrah</em>); <em>second</em>, the effect of <em>da‘wah </em>(<em>athar</em>) takes a relatively long time.</p>

The Influence of Sufism Thought Shaykh Burhanuddin among the Minangkabau Community in Medan City

<p>Shaykh Burhanuddin is one of the great famous ulama from West Sumatra, who has developed Islam teachings through the Tariqa Shattariyya which spread until Medan City. Shaykh Burhanuddin developed his thinking through education at the surau. The students who studied at the Surau Shattariyyah opened to learn a whole series of Islamic knowledge. The people of Minangkabau know and practice wisdom. They are not limited to Minangkabau people in West Sumatra. Minangkabau people outside West Sumatra still regard Shaykh Burhanuddin as wali Allah and a great ulama. Shaykh Burhanuddin’s teachings are continuesly developed by his students until they stay in Medan. The purpose of this research was to know the background of sufism thought by Shaykh Burhanuddin, to know the process of the Shaykh Burhanuddin’s sufism thought development into Medan, and to find out why Minangkabau people in Medan follow the teachings of Shaykh Burhanuddin. This research used a descriptive qualitative approach classified to the field research to see how far the development of sufism thought Shaykh Burhanuddin among Minangkabau people in Medan. From this study, it can be concluded that the patterns of thinking influenced the background of Shaykh Burhanuddin’s sufism thought was brought by the previous teacher Ahmad al-Qushashi as well as Shaykh Burhanuddin’s teachers, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rauf. The idea of Shaykh Burhanuddin sufism is the three main pillars that reconcile shari’a, and sufism developed by his teacher Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rauf, namely the divinity and its relationship with nature, insan al-kamil and the tarekat. In the ideas development of sufism by Shaykh Burhanuddin in Medan city, initially through the Labai and Tuangku from Ulakan, and then due to the increase and spread of Minangkabau community in several districts in Medan. The Minangkabau community in Medan mostly follow the teachings practice of Shaykh Burhanuddin. All forms of the religious pratices are sufism ‘amali activities. Sufism ‘amali is sufism which emphasizes amaliyah (act) such as wirid, dhikr, and other worship.</p>

‘Ulama’s Perceptions of Women Involvement in Politics in South Aceh

<p>This research aims to reveal how women are involved in politics in South Aceh, factors influencing Ulama’s opinions about the women involvement in politics, and also their perceptions about the involvement. Method used in this research was qualitative (field research), through interviews and observations, then literature research (library research). Dataobtained in the field were interpreted through descriptive analysis. The results show several things. Firstly, the women involvement in South Aceh politic had developed, such as serving as a member of Parliament, candidates, secretary, and chief of the committee. Secondly, ulama’s perceptions about the involvement of women in politics are that some Ulama allow women participated in politics. Nevertheless, women must maintain their identity as a Muslim. On the other hand, some ulama reject women involvement in politics because many obstacles would be faced by women who are less firm in the leadership and decision making. Thirdly, a fewfactors that cause the differences in ulama’s perception of women’s involvement in South Aceh politics are due to differentinterpretations of al-Qur’an verses and hadith. Other reasons are that some Ulamado not know about politics, and some are related to their educational level and their knowledge.</p>

Perception of Public Islam on Performance and Providing Public Services in Padangsidempuan City

<p>Public service is a matter that is closely associated with bureaucracy. Five factors are related to mission, accountability, consequences, power, and culture. Mission will determine the public services system competence in responding to dynamics that occur in the community accurately and efficiently. Method in this research was qualitative method, which was designed with descriptive research and phenomenology approaches through interviews and observations. Based on the research, the results showas follow: First, the perception of Islamic society in Padangsidimpuan on performance of Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil (DKPS) in providing public services in 2014 was still far from their hope, and it hasn’t met in their satisfaction category especially Islamic society. Second, factors that influence the achievement of DKPS Padang Sidimpuan in providing public services in 2014 are human resources and financial factors. Besides, there are some supporting factors: leadership, resources, culture ministry, institutional, and related regulation. Third, factor that hold up the performance of DKPS Padangsidimpuan in providing public services in 2014 is organization structure. The other factors are such as the lack of officers responding to society who need the information and the lack of officers’ hospitality when they communicate to public. Fourth, the solution is given from Islamic society to improve public services at DKPS Padangsidimpuan for the next year: education, experiences, training, motivation to the staff and officer at DKPS Padangsidimpuan.</p>