Bulletin of Indonesian Islamic Studies

Optimizing Da’wah Management in Multicultural Contexts: Lessons from PCNU Pematang Siantar North Sumatra, Indonesia

2025-08-18T13:21:17+07:00

This study examines the da'wah management practices employed by the Pematang Siantar Nahdlatul Ulama Branch Management (PCNU) in promoting multicultural da'wah programs within a community characterized by ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity. The research utilizes a qualitative approach and adopts descriptive methods. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. The analysis of the data involved identifying emerging key themes and utilizing triangulation to ensure the accuracy and validity of the findings. The primary informant in this study was the chairman of the Pematang Siantar PCNU. The results indicate that PCNU Pematang Siantar has effectively implemented adaptive da'wah management practices that address cultural and religious diversity in the region. This success can be attributed to meticulous planning, structured organization, effective leadership, continuous supervision, and periodic evaluation, as well as the adjustment of da'wah methods to suit specific contexts. This research recommends the da'wah management model utilized by PCNU Pematang Siantar as a noteworthy example for other religious organizations facing the challenges of da'wah in a pluralistic society.

Islamic Legal Perspectives on the Practice of Tajdīd al-Nikāḥ within Madurese Tradition: A Case Study in Lantek Barat Village, Indonesia

2025-08-18T13:21:13+07:00

The socio-religious tradition of Tajdīd al-Nikāḥ is not merely a ritual, but rather a manifestation of administrative needs, spiritual beliefs, and efforts to strengthen the foundations of the household. This study aims to uncover the practice of Tajdīd al-Nikāḥ in the community, explore the motives behind its implementation, examine its impact on social life, and examine it through the perspective of Islamic law. This research is a qualitative study using empirical legal methods with a case study approach. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation, in-depth interviews with community and religious leaders, and documentation. Data analysis was carried out through data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results reveal that Tajdīd al-Nikāḥ in West Lantek Village is practiced by couples who have been married religiously but have not been registered with the Office of Religious Affairs (KUA). Its implementation is driven by administrative needs, strengthening household relations, and local beliefs regarding the blessings of re-wedding contracts. Within the framework of Islamic law, this practice is considered valid as long as it fulfills the pillars and requirements of marriage, and is in line with sharia principles. Analysis based on the Shafi'i School of Law, 'urf, and Maqashid al-Syari'ah shows that Tajdīd marriage can be accepted as a socio-religious mechanism to maintain lineage, family dignity, and societal stability.

Early Engagement in the View of the Shafi‘i Madhhab and Positive Law in Bangkalan Community, Indonesia

2025-08-19T13:03:07+07:00

In Bangkalan Regency, there is a phenomenon of early engagement where children aged 0-6 years are matched by their parents or families without involving the children. This situation becomes problematic when individuals involved in adult engagements do not find a match, which often leads to the cancellation of the engagement. This cancellation can cause a rift between the couple and the family, and has negative impacts such as the loss of individual freedom, hindered education, and potential psychological trauma. This study highlights the potential risks associated with underage engagement to seek the law on early engagement as it occurs in Bangkalan from the perspective of the Shafi'i school of thought and positive law. The research method in this thesis uses a phenomenological method, to gain an understanding of the social reality that occurs in the community, then examined from the perspective of the Shafi'i school of thought and positive law. The results show that early engagement in Bangkalan Regency is considered halal according to the Shafi'i school of thought and positive law, as long as it meets two conditions: the relationship between a man and a woman who are not mahram, and the woman is not engaged to another person. Although legal, it is recommended that engagements not be conducted with minors to prevent potential detrimental risks.

Symbolism and Ritual Practice: The Role of Fruits in Buddhist Ceremonies at Maha Vihara Maitreya Medan, Indonesia

2025-08-19T14:23:44+07:00

The fruit offering ritual in Buddhist religious practices at the Maha Vihara Maitreya Cemara Asri in Medan represents symbolism rich in theological and ethical meaning. This study aims to examine in depth the symbolic meaning of fruit in Buddhist worship and uncover its connection to the concepts of abundance and purity in Buddhist teachings. Using a qualitative approach, participatory observation methods, in-depth interviews with religious leaders, and triangulation to ensure accuracy and validity, the information obtained in this study found that fruit is positioned not only as a material offering, but also as an expression of the congregation's inner spirit, embodying the values of dāna (generosity), belief in the law of karma, and hope for virtue. Fruits such as apples and oranges are chosen because they reflect freshness, propriety, and prosperity, while fruits such as durian are avoided because they are considered to reflect less inner refinement and a sacred atmosphere. Fruit symbolism in rituals also serves as a medium for internalizing the teachings of impermanence (anicca) and the consequences of actions (vipaka), reinforcing reminders of moral action, reflections on inner qualities, and ways to visualize spiritual values in everyday life. This research enriches the body of Buddhist studies by highlighting symbolic practices often overlooked by academics.

The Meaning of Happiness in the Philosophy of Stoicism and Its Relevance to Islamic Guidance

2025-08-21T10:01:50+07:00

Happiness is a fundamental goal in human life, yet its meaning is often interpreted in various ways. This study aims to examine the concept of happiness in Stoic philosophy and its relevance to Islamic Guidance. This research employs a qualitative approach through library research, analyzing the thoughts of Stoic philosophers such as Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, and connecting them with principles of Islamic Guidance derived from the Qur'an and Hadith. The findings reveal that happiness in Stoicism is understood as a state of inner peace attained through rational deliberation, disciplined self-mastery, and equanimous acceptance of the uncontrollable. In contrast, Islamic Guidance views happiness as a harmony between spiritual and social dimensions, realized through faith, worship, and submission to the will of Allah (tawakkul and ridhā). There is a significant convergence between the two, particularly in the aspects of self-mastery, acceptance of destiny, and the search for deeper meaning in life. The study shows that Stoic values can enrich Islamic counseling methods, especially in assisting individuals to achieve inner calm amid the pressures of modern life. The integration of Stoic principles with Islamic spiritual approaches may serve as an effective guidance strategy in shaping individuals who are resilient, patient, and wise.

The Integrating Islamic Law and National Regulation in Protecting Children's Rights in Pesantren: A Socio-Legal Perspective

2025-08-28T09:31:39+07:00

Pesantren holds a strategic position in shaping the character and morals of the younger generation, but complex social dynamics present new challenges related to child protection. Various cases of physical, psychological, and sexual violence occurring in a number of Islamic boarding schools have raised public concern and highlight the suboptimal protection of children's rights in religious educational institutions. Although the government has issued the Regulation of the Director General of Islamic Education Number 1262 of 2024 concerning Child-Friendly Islamic Boarding Schools, academic studies are still limited to historical aspects and the function of Islamic boarding school education, resulting in a research gap in understanding the integration of Islamic law principles with state regulations in realizing a child-friendly Islamic boarding school education system. This research uses a qualitative approach with an empirical-legal method. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document studies, then analyzed descriptively-analytically by linking empirical findings with Islamic legal norms and legislation. The research findings indicate that the implementation of the child-friendly pesantren concept at Pondok Pesantren Nurul Cholil Bangkalan has been substantively successful, although it still faces structural obstacles such as limited facilities and cultural barriers like harsh traditional disciplinary patterns. In principle, pesantren practices align with the maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah in Islam and most of the indicators in Perdirjen 1262/2024. However, there is a need to improve human resource capacity and institutional commitment to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the program.

Deconstructing the Domestic Role of the Wife in Community Tradition: An Analysis of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah and Marriage Law

2025-08-28T09:33:12+07:00

Domestic role inequality remains an issue in rural Indonesian society, including in Separah Village, Bangkalan. The burden of household chores is entirely borne by the wife, even when they are also involved in economic activities, leading to a dual burden that has implications for gender equality and family well-being. This study aims to examine this practice by placing it within the framework of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah and the Marriage Law. The method used is a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation from married couples, community leaders, and religious figures. The analysis was conducted descriptively and critically, linking field data with the principles of gender justice. The research findings indicate that the dominance of local traditions and low legal literacy make the division of domestic labor inconsistent with both Islamic law and state law. The role of religious figures in providing education is also still passive. Nevertheless, there are signs of change among young people who are starting to build more equal family relationships thanks to education, digital access, and progressive religious discourse. This research confirms that the domestic role is a social construct that needs to be reinterpreted within the framework of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, while also serving as the basis for strengthening legal literacy and cultural intervention toward just and collaborative household relationships.

Permanent Female Sterilization in Islamic Jurisprudence and Public Health: A Multi-Perspective Study on Tubectomy

2025-08-28T09:34:25+07:00

This study aims to analyze the implementation of tubectomy as permanent contraception from the perspective of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah and international medical standards (WHO and ACOG), focusing on legal legitimacy, medical indications, and patient rights protection. The approach used is juridical-normative with library research. Data were obtained from classical fiqh books, contemporary fatwas, Indonesian reproductive health regulations, and scientific publications related to the effectiveness, risks, and procedures of tubectomy. The analysis was conducted deductively-inductively through the synthesis of maqāṣid principles with clinical evidence and health policies, to formulate Islamic criteria, informed consent procedures, and medical indication verification standards. The research results show that tubectomy is >99% effective but permanent, so it is only permissible under Islamic law in medical emergencies with informed consent and the absence of adequate alternatives. There is a gap between regulation and field practice, particularly in counselling and partner involvement. The recommendations are aimed at integrating medical guidelines and Islamic law for family planning services that are ethical and in accordance with Islamic law. This study contributes by connecting Islamic law and international medical standards to formulate ethical and safe guidelines for tubal ligation practices.

Islamization in Haminjon: A Study of Business Morality in Batak Entrepreneurial Networks

2025-08-28T19:44:57+07:00

This study examines the interaction between Islamic values and Batak traditions in the business practices of Muslim entrepreneurs in North Sumatra, focusing on haminjon (frankincense), which holds both spiritual and economic significance for Batak society. Unlike previous research that rarely explores the integration of religion and custom in trade, this study employs a qualitative ethnographic approach. Fieldwork was conducted over three months (April–June 2025) in Doloksanggul and Balige, involving seven participants: three Batak Muslim entrepreneurs, two haminjon traders, one customary leader, and one local ustaz. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis, and examined using thematic coding to identify negotiation patterns between adat and Islam. The findings indicate that Islamization in this context does not occur through doctrinal enforcement but rather through moral diplomacy, ethical conduct, and everyday commercial practices. Muslim entrepreneurs continue to uphold kinship ties and customary obligations, while reinterpreting them through Islamic principles such as honesty, justice, rejection of usury, and social responsibility. Within this process, haminjon serves as both a cultural and economic bridge, shifting from a ritual object into a symbol of halal trade and moral integrity. Theoretically, this study proposes a contextual model of Islamic business ethics rooted in local values yet adaptable to cultural pluralism. Practically, it underscores trade as a medium of Islamization, showing that the integration of religion and tradition occurs through productive reinterpretation that strengthens collective identity and supports sustainable development.

Ensuring the Fulfillment of Elderly Rights in Institutional Care: An Empirical Legal Review through the Lens of Islamic Law in Medan

2025-09-04T20:34:46+07:00

This study aims to analyze the fulfillment of the human rights of the elderly in nursing homes in Medan City as part of social protection for the elderly group. The background of the research is based on the increasing number of elderly people which has implications for the high need for adequate social services and protection. The research method uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of the study indicate that nursing homes play an important role in fulfilling the basic rights of the elderly, especially related to physical, psychological, and social needs. However, there are still various obstacles such as limited professional staff, infrastructure, and adequate budget support. This study concludes that the fulfillment of the rights of the elderly in nursing homes in Medan City has been carried out but is not optimal, so that policy strengthening, improving service quality, and cross-sector collaboration are needed to realize the welfare of the elderly more comprehensively. This research is expected to provide a realistic picture of the implementation of the human rights of the elderly in nursing homes, while also assessing the role of the state and society in ensuring a decent, dignified, and humane life for the elderly. Furthermore, it will provide input for policymakers and nursing home managers to ensure that services for the elderly are increasingly oriented toward respecting their human rights.

War Crimes and Human Rights Violations through the Lens of Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah: A Normative and Ethical Analysis

2025-09-08T16:36:03+07:00

The crime of war is one of the most egregious violations of international humanitarian law and basic human rights (HAM), significantly affecting individual lives and global stability. From an Islamic perspective, human rights violations—especially in the context of armed conflict—can be analyzed through the lens of Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah, which seeks to protect five fundamental principles: religion (din), life (nafs), intellect ('aql), lineage (nasl), and wealth (mal). This research aims to examine war crimes from the perspective of Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah and evaluate the extent of human rights violations in warfare that contradict sharia values. Utilizing a qualitative approach and normative descriptive analysis of various international legal documents along with both classical and contemporary Islamic literature, this study concludes that war crimes—including mass killings, torture, rape, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure—directly undermine the primary objectives of sharia, which are to safeguard life and uphold human dignity. Ultimately, this research affirms that Islam categorically prohibits all forms of destructive violence against human values. Furthermore, Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah can serve as a normative framework for developing ethical solutions to war crimes on an international scale.

Epistemology of Tafsir Anfās al-Maḥāsin fī Tafsīr Sūrat Yāsīn by K.H. Syaikhul Islam Ali Masyhuri

2025-09-12T09:59:42+07:00

In January 2025, a new tafsir work entitled Anfās al-Maḥāsin fī Tafsīr Sūrat Yāsīn from Sidoarjo, authored by K.H. Syaikhul Islam Ali Masyhuri, a prominent scholar from the Progressive Islamic Boarding School Bumi Shalawat. This work remains largely unexplored in academic discourse, and its aesthetically chosen title reflects the author’s distinctive approach to interpreting Sūrat Yāsīn. This study aims to examine the epistemology of Anfās al-Maḥāsin, with focus on its interpretive methodology and the validity of its exegesis. Using a qualitative method based on library research, data were gathered from the primary text and relevant secondary sources. The analysis applies the perspective of Saifuddin Herlambang to evaluate the methodology and Abdul Mustaqim to assess the validity. The results show that K.H. Syaikhul combines the bi al-riwāyah approach by referring to the Al-Qur’ān, Prophetic traditions, views of the companions, Tābiʿīn, and mufasir, with bi al-dirāyah rooted in ijtihād, but grounded in authoritative references. He employs the tafsīr ijmālī method in mushafic sequence, with a maqāṣidī pattern. Although it has limited scientific correspondence, its coherence remains strong. This tafsir is relevant to the needs of people today. This study offers a foundational step for future academic research on this tafsir.

Shariatisation in Indonesia: A Comparative Analysis of Firanda Andirja’s and Buya Yahya’s Interpretation of Surah Al-Mā’idah 44

2025-09-20T07:03:42+07:00

The idea to formalize Sharia law in Indonesia, a country characterized by its pluralism, remains the subject of ongoing debate. This discussion is fueled by diverse interpretations of Surah Al-Mā`idah 44. This article aims to analyze Firanda Andirja's interpretation as a Salafist preacher to confirm his textuality and compare it with Buya Yahya's interpretation as a non-Salafi preacher who has ties to the initiator of NKRI Bersyariah. Employing a qualitative approach alongside Norman Fairclough's discourse analysis theory, this study conducts a thorough examination of two YouTube videos that feature their interpretations. The findings indicate that their perspectives exhibit notable similarities in three main areas: both refrain from advocating for a movement to formalize Sharia, present negative portrayals of certain groups, and avoid declaring others as kāfir altogether. However, there are significant differences in how each party categorizes individuals who do not implement Sharia, as well as variations in their orientation to discourse production. Furthermore, this paper contends that Firanda's interpretation of Surah Al-Mā`idah 44 cannot be seen as purely textual, as it involves a reconsideration of the meaning of kāfir. Therefore, Abdullah Saeed’s categorization of Salafists as textualists and Quintan Wiktorowicz’s claim that Salafists avoid using rationality need to be reappraised, since these two matters may be applicable and relevant at the macro level rather than the micro level.

Prophetic Communication in Child Protection: Strategies of the Indonesian Child Protection Agency in Preventing and Addressing Violence against Children

2025-09-20T11:50:40+07:00

Child protection remains a critical issue in Indonesia, with rising cases of violence against children. This study examines the implementation of prophetic communication by the Indonesian Child Protection Agency in South Labuhan Batu as a strategy to prevent and address child abuse. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis involving LPAI staff, volunteers, psychologists, and religious leaders. Data validity was maintained through triangulation of sources and methods, in-depth field involvement, and peer debriefing.The findings reveal that prophetic communication grounded in the principles of ‘amar ma’rūf (promotion of good), nahimunkar (prevention of harm), and ta’lim/tazkiyah (transcendence and moral development) effectively combines religious, moral, and social dimensions with modern communication strategies. Key supporting factors include skilled human resources, community and government support, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, while challenges involve cultural norms normalizing violence, limited resources, and trauma-related barriers. The study underscores the importance of empathetic, culturally-sensitive, and trauma-informed communication in child protection programs. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed, emphasizing the potential for scaling prophetic communication.

The Modernity and Religious Practices: A Sociological Analysis of the State Islamic University of North Sumatra Students from the 2021–2023 Cohorts

2025-09-25T07:44:14+07:00

This study aims to analyze the influence of modernity on religious practices among students of the State Islamic University of North Sumatra (UINSU) from the 2021–2023 cohorts. Modernity, characterized by the advancement of science, technology, and digital culture, has significantly impacted students’ religious understanding, practices, and the authority of religion. This research employs a qualitative approach using purposive sampling with three participants representing each cohort (2021, 2022, and 2023). Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document studies, and were analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that modernity presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, digital technology facilitates access to religious information, expands the scope of da’wah, and supports worship practices through reminder applications and online lectures. On the other hand, modernity also creates distractions from social media, encourages individualism, and raises concerns about the validity of religious information. Students respond to these challenges with various strategies, including time management, selective use of technology, and strengthening spiritual awareness. Thus, modernity does not merely weaken religious practices but can also serve as a means of reinforcing religious identity when approached wisely.