Bulletin of Indonesian Islamic Studies

Exploring the Relationship between Religion, State, and Economy: A Global Study

Lestari Agusalim — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:56:38 +0700

Religion plays a crucial role not only in shaping individual and group behavior but also in influencing governance structures and economic performance. Many countries incorporate religion into their constitutions, with some adopting official state religions as the foundation of governance, thereby creating theocratic states. This study aims to explore the relationship between religion and state governance, as well as the relationship between religion and economic performance, based on the classification of countries by religion. The data for this analysis is sourced from the World Bank and the Pew Research Center. It encompasses GDP per capita figures for 133 countries for the years 1990 and 2022, along with estimates of the global population by religion in 2050, derived through a cohort-component technique. A descriptive and comparative approach is utilized to explore the relationship between religion, governance, and the economic performance of these nations. This study finds that countries with an official state religion, supported by strong governance and prudent resource management, tend to achieve better economic outcomes, as evidenced by higher GDP per capita levels. Conversely, countries with weak governance or without clear religious support often experience economic stagnation. The findings recommend the importance of integrating religious values into inclusive and sustainable development policies.

Recontextualizing Asbāb al-Nuzūl: From Micro-Historical Triggers to Macro-Ethical Frameworks within the Qur’anic Hierarchy of Values

Siti Khodijah, Suqiyah Musafa'ah — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:07:28 +0700

The study of asbāb al-nuzūl occupies a strategic position in Qur’anic exegesis as a bridge between the revealed text and its historical context. Classical approaches have often emphasized micro-level triggers, specific events or individuals, resulting in narrow and legalistic interpretations. In contemporary Qur’anic discourse, Abdullah Saeed’s Hierarchy of Qur’anic Values calls for an integration of both micro and macro contextual approaches to produce interpretations that are more ethical and socially relevant. This study employs a qualitative methodology based on literature review and analytical hermeneutics. The analytical framework combines micro-textual analysis with macro-contextual examination, evaluated through the lens of the Hierarchy of Qur’anic Values. A case study of Surah al-Nisa’ verse 3 reveals that this integrative approach enables a dynamic reading of normative verses. Specifically, the verse’s apparent permissibility of polygamy is recontextualized as an ethical directive emphasizing justice for orphans and vulnerable women, rather than as a general legal sanction. The findings demonstrate that asba>b al-nuzu>l should not be treated merely as historical annotations but as a hermeneutical tool for rearticulating the Qur’an’s universal values, such as justice, gender equity, and protection of the marginalized, in contemporary contexts.

Discourse on Women's Leadership in the Qur’an from the Perspective of KH. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim on Youtube Channel

Moh Alfin Rosyidi, Khobirul Amru, Wildah Nurul Islami — Tue, 13 May 2025 20:24:36 +0700

Leadership remains a debated topic within Islamic discourse, particularly concerning the role of women. This discussion is significantly shaped by traditional interpretations of the Qur'an, which often place women in subordinate positions. This article aims to examine how KH. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim offers an inclusive interpretation of women's leadership based on Surah al-Naml, verses 41–44. The study employs a qualitative method alongside a descriptive-analytical approach, with data collected through observation and note-taking from five videos across four accounts featuring presentations by KH. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim. The analysis uses Teun A. Van Dijk's discourse analysis theory, which focuses on three key aspects: text, social cognition, and social context. The findings indicate that traditional leadership roles are largely portrayed as favoring men, who are anticipated to be responsible and just, as revealed through textual analysis. The social cognition analysis investigates how KH. Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim’s interpretation responds to the rising visibility of women in leadership, shedding light on Sharia-based legal perspectives regarding female leadership. Furthermore, in the social context dimension, he contends that women can assume leadership roles as long as they uphold moral boundaries and act justly. The study also highlights the crucial role of social media in disseminating contemporary religious discourse and shaping public reactions to Qur'anic reinterpretations in the digital age.

Reconstructing the Pattern of Islamic Education during the al-Khulafāʾ al-Rāsyidūn Period and Its Relevance to the Indonesian Educational Context

Faisal Amir Toedien, Eva Dewi, Sutarmo Sutarmo — Wed, 14 May 2025 14:58:13 +0700

Islamic education has been a main pillar in shaping Islamic civilization since the time of the Prophet Muhammad, and it was further developed by caliphs after him. The period of the al-Khulafāʾ al-Rāsyidūn (632–661 CE) marked a significant phase in the continuation and advancement of Islamic education after the revelation ended. This article aims to describe the educational patterns and analyze the role of each caliph in the development of education. The research employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach, examining primary and secondary sources such as historical texts, tafsir works, and academic literature. The study focuses on the educational policies and contributions of Abū Bakr aṣ-Şiddīq, ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, ‘Uśmān ibn ‘Affān, and ‘Alī ibn Abī Țālib. The findings reveal that each caliph adopted strategic approaches in fostering education, including the codification of the Qur'an, the establishment of knowledge institutions, and the promotion of critical thinking. The results show that the Islamic education system was structured and transformative from the beginning. This study contributes to the academic discourse on Islamic educational history and offers insights for developing educational models rooted in authentic Islamic values. These findings are essential as a historical foundation for designing contemporary Islamic education.

Islamic Organizations and Societal Development: An Examination of Kiai Soedja's Perspectives on Establishing Penolong Kesengsaraan Oemoem (PKO) Muhammadijah

Iskandar Iskandar, Aan Andriawan, Fani Nur Dwi Saputro, Dwi Miftakhul Huda — Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The urgency of this research is to see the impact of the results of Kiai Soedja's thoughts on society today in the fields of health, social, and economy. This can be seen by the development of Muhammadiyah social institutions that are developing today starting from the establishment of the PKO business charity which was the idea of Kiai Soedja'. The research method used is the historical research method. The stages involved in the method are topic selection, heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography. The results showed that PKO was born from the idea of Kiai Soedja', whose thoughts surpassed the thoughts of Muhammadiyah members at that time. Kiai Soedja' was able to initiate the construction of poor houses, hospitals, and orphanages in only 11 years. The PKO Poor House was estabilished on 13 January 1923, the PKO Remsi Hospital was established on 15 February 1923, and the PKO Orphanage was inaugurated on 5 October 1931, even though the poor house had actually existed since 1923. After conducting research, it can be concluded that Kiai Soedja' is a figure who is able to break the view of limitations. He was able to pioneer the development of social activities in Muhammadiyah with the PKO Charity. This research is useful for the development of local history and introducing an important figure in the history of health in Indonesia.

Fazlur Rahman's Thoughts on Islamic Education Reform and Its Significance for the Education System in Indonesia

Rasalhaque Daffa Taruna, Eva Dewi, Husaini Nasution — Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Islamic education plays a vital role in shaping the personality and civilization of its adherents; however, it is currently grappling with an epistemological and methodological crisis that creates a divide between religious knowledge and general knowledge. Rigid and non-contextual educational approaches further contribute to the stagnation of the Islamic education system. This study adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing a literature review method to gather and analyze both primary and secondary sources related to human freedom from the perspective of Islamic education. A descriptive analytical method is employed both deductively and inductively to achieve a deeper understanding of the topic. The focus of the study is on Fazlur Rahman's ideas concerning the integration of knowledge, curriculum reform, and the transformation of teaching methodologies. Rahman argues for an Islamic education that transcends mere rituals, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and social engagement. He advocates for the integration of *tarbiyah* (moral education) and *ta'lim* (the teaching of knowledge), alongside enhancing teacher capacity and proficiency in foreign languages to expand access to knowledge. Rahman's concepts align well with the principles of the 2013 Curriculum, which emphasizes thematic, integrative, and student-centered learning. This article offers a conceptual framework based on Rahman's insights as a viable solution to the epistemological crisis and serves as a reference for the development of integrative, contextual, and adaptive Islamic education.

A Revisiting Educational Paradigms of the Al-Khulafā’ Al-Rāsyidūn Period: Implications for Addressing Globalization-Era Educational Challenges

Tia Rahayu, Eva Dewi, Nur Aprilda Mardatillah — Fri, 30 May 2025 15:35:48 +0700

This article explores the educational patterns prevalent during the period of al-Khulafā' al-Rāsyidūn, highlighting the values and methodologies of that time, which may serve as a framework for tackling modern educational challenges, particularly in the context of globalization. The research is prompted by the critical issue of diminishing spiritual and moral values amidst the rapid changes brought about by globalization. The goal of this study is to delineate the educational approaches of the al-Khulafā' al-Rāsyidūn and assess their relevance in addressing contemporary educational challenges. This research utilizes a qualitative methodology grounded in a literature review, drawing data from primary sources (including the Al-Qur'an, hadith, and classical Islamic texts) as well as secondary sources (such as academic journals, scholarly books, and recent studies related to the subject). The findings indicate that the educational framework during the al-Khulafā' al-Rāsyidūn period encompasses not only spiritual and moral growth but also practical and holistic elements. This includes strengthening faith, fostering moral character, and mastering knowledge, alongside enhancing the role of mosques as centers for learning. These insights contribute significantly to the development of a contemporary Islamic education model that is adaptive, distinctive, and pertinent to addressing the moral and identity crises faced by today’s Muslim generation.

The Relevance of Character Education Values in Ta’līm al-Muta’allim by Imām al-Zarnūjī to the Moral Challenges of Modern Students

Mhd. Husnul Fikri, Eva Dewi, Ummi Mutiah — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Education plays a vital role in shaping human character, especially in facing the challenges of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the digital era. In Islam, education is not only a means of intellectual development but also a spiritual and moral process aimed at producing insan kamil—a complete human being. One of the classical Islamic literatures that emphasizes the importance of character education is Ta’līm al-Muta’allim by Imām al-Zarnūjī. This research aims to explore the relevance of the character values contained in Ta’līm al-Muta’allim in addressing the moral challenges faced by students in modern times. Using a qualitative library research method, this study analyzes classical texts and relevant contemporary literature. The findings show that the values of sincerity, discipline, respect for teachers, time management, and humility in seeking knowledge are still highly relevant in today's educational context. These values serve as a foundation for developing strong moral character among students, which is essential in responding to the complexities of modern life and preserving ethical behavior amidst technological advancement. This study contributes to the discourse on Islamic character education and offers insights for reforming modern education by integrating classical values.

The Meaning of Life in the Thought of Al-Gazālī and Viktor Frankl: A Comparative Study of Spiritual and Psychological Approaches to Authentic Happiness

Muhamad Zaenal Arifin — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 15:28:44 +0700

This research seeks to analyze the concept of happiness through the lenses of al-Gazālī's Sufism and Viktor Frankl's logotherapy. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study employs library research to gather data from various primary and secondary sources, including al-Gazālī's Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn and Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. The analysis is conducted through a descriptive-analytical method, exploring the similarities and differences between these two frameworks in their interpretations of the search for meaning in life as a pathway to happiness. The findings demonstrate that both al-Gazālī's Sufism and Frankl's logotherapy argue that happiness is not solely reliant on material conditions; instead, it is intricately linked to the meaningfulness of life, which can be discovered through worship, personal experiences, creativity, and the attitudes we adopt when confronting challenges. Al-Gazālī asserts that true happiness can be attained through a spiritual approach that involves drawing closer to God, while Frankl posits that individuals possess the freedom to find meaning in their lives. This study proposes a holistic transformative model that bridges the spiritual and psychological aspects of the search for life's meaning by integrating these two approaches. This research makes both theoretical and practical contributions in understanding and leveraging the concept of life's meaning to attain genuine happiness.

Żimmī in Islamic Criminal Law: Analysis of Baḥru al-Mażī by Sheikh Marbawi and Its Implementation in Contemporary Muslim-Majority States

Maulidya Mora Matondang — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article aims to examine the legal position of non-Muslims ‘żimmī’ as subjects of Islamic criminal law when they voluntarily bring their cases to Islamic judicial institutions. Using a qualitative library research method, the study focuses on the analysis of Sheikh Marbawi’s views as articulated in his book Baḥru al-Mażī. The theoretical framework employed is rooted in Islamic legal theory (fiqh), especially the Shafi'i school of thought, and incorporates the theory of al-Iḥsān (legal competence based on marital status) to interpret Ḥadīṡ-based rulings concerning non-Muslim offenders. The study finds that Sheikh Marbawi considers Islamic courts obliged to adjudicate cases involving żimmī when brought before them, and that such cases must be resolved using Islamic law. This view is supported by Ḥadīṡ evidence and aligns with the classical juristic principle that recognizes the legal subjectivity of non-Muslims under certain conditions. The findings contribute to contemporary Islamic legal discourse by reaffirming the inclusiveness of Islamic criminal jurisprudence, emphasizing the importance of legal pluralism within the framework of Dar al-Islam, and highlighting the scholarly contributions of Southeast Asian ulema such as Sheikh Marbawi.

Character Education Based on Al-Gazālī's Sprituality: A Solution to Moral Crisis in the Digital Era

Heni Julaika Putri, Eva Dewi, Via Novelia Najmi — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 15:48:14 +0700

The development of digital technology not only has a major effect on human life, including education, but also causes moral crises such as hoaxes, hate speech, and empathy degradation. This study aims to study Imām Al-Gazālī's perspective on spiritual education as an alternative solution to overcome the moral crisis in the modern era. In addition, this study also creates a plan to implement character education based on spirituality. This type of research is qualitative using a literature study approach. This study collects data by conducting an in-depth analysis of Al-Gazālī's writings and related literature. Such as Al-Gazālī's main works, such as Ihya 'Ulumuddin, Ayyuha al-Walad, and Mizan al-'Amal. The study shows that Al-Gazālī's educational ideas that emphasize the strengthening of morals, purification of the soul (tazkiyatun nafs), and spiritual achievement through reason, heart, soul, and spirit are very relevant to addressing the moral crisis that occurs in the modern era. Primarily, values such as honesty, trustworthiness, patience, gratitude, and self-reflection shape students' characters. Spirituality-based character education can be implemented through curriculum, daily routines, teacher examples, family involvement, and wise use of digital media. This study offers the concept of Al-Gazālī's spirituality-based character education as a solution to the moral crisis of the young generation in the digital era and provides practical guidelines for educational institutions, teachers, and families in forming intelligent, moral, and spiritual individuals.

Habib Syech Assegaf's Preaching Strategy on Social Media: A Review Through Hovland's Response Theory

Intan Muharni, Bukhori Bukhori, Nurseri Hasnah Nasution — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Preaching through social media is a new phenomenon among Indonesian society, especially for Gen-Z. Habib Syech Assegaf is a contemporary cleric who has a moderate da'wah school, he provides Islamic values to the wider community through social media. This study examines the da'wah strategy of Habib Syekh Assegaf on social media reviewed through the Response, Stimulus, Organism, Response (SOR) theory proposed by Hovland. This study aims to determine and describe the understanding, attention, and acceptance of Habib Syech Assegaf's Da'wah Response on social media, in more detail the purpose of this study is whether the da'wah can be accepted by society, especially Gen-Z. The response consists of attention, understanding and acceptance. The research method used is qualitative based on literature studies, with data analysis obtained from primary sources (the Qur'an, hadith and related literature) and secondary sources (academic journals, scientific books and the latest research related to the theme). Research findings based on the review of Hovland's Theory, Habib Syech Assegaf's da'wah strategy on social media has proven effective in attracting attention, facilitating understanding, and encouraging acceptance of messages by the audience. The three components of Hovland's Response Theory can be found clearly in his communication patterns on social media, making social media a relevant and impactful means of da'wah in today's digital era.