Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies

Success strategy of female ulama leadership to advance Salafiyah Islamic Boarding School amid patriarchal resistance

Ahmad Fauzan — 2025-12-29

This article describes the success strategy of a female ulama leader (Nyai) in leading and advancing Salafiyah Islamic boarding schools (Salafiyah Pesantren) amid patriarchal resistance. The female ulama is Nyai Masriyah Amva, the head of pesantren Kebon Jambu Cirebon. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the success strategies employed by women’s leadership in Salafiyah Pesantren, and to provide a strategic vision for women living in a patriarchal environment to become more confident in taking action. Furthermore, this article is at least part of an effort to challenge the perception of pesantren salafiyah as patriarchal. The use of qualitative methods, particularly in ethnographic studies, serves to understand the meaning of individuals or groups of people who are considered to be affected by social problems in humanity through observation, interviews, and documentation. The result is that everything considered cultural or taboo is not necessarily part of the actual teachings of “Islamic teachings”. Thus, being a leader in a minority setting, she actually has more opportunities to work. All her strategies represent the resistance to patriarchal culture, though they require careful planning. In short, she rejects the patriarchal culture, but can still be accepted around her, even in the way that Nyai Masriyah Amva can advance herself and her pesantren.

Artikel ini memaparkan strategi kesuksesan pemimpinan ulama perempuan (Nyai) dalam memajukan pesantren salafiyah di tengah perlawanan patriarki. Beliau adalah Nyai Masriyah Amva sebagai pimpinan Pesantren Kebon Jambu, Cirebon, Indonesia. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mempelajari strategi kesuksesan kepemimpinan perempuan di pesantren salafiyah, serta memberikan wawasan strategis bagi perempuan yang hidup di lingkungan patriarki untuk menjadi lebih percaya diri dalam melakukan sesuatu. Selain itu, dengan adanya artikel ini setidaknya bagian dari usaha untuk mengikis pemahaman tentang pesantren salafiyah yang patriarki. Metode kualitatif dengan studi etnografi digunakan untuk mengetahui makna individu atau kelompok orang yang dianggap berasal dari masalah sosial kemanusiaan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Adapun hasil penelitian ini adalah bahwa segala sesuatu yang dianggap budaya atau tabu belum tentu menjadi bagian dari ajaran “ajaran Islam”. Menjadi pemimpin di lingkungan minoritas, sebenarnya seseorang memiliki lebih banyak kesempatan untuk berkarya. Semua strategi yang dilakukannya merupakan bagian dari perlawanan terhadap budaya patriarki. Singkatnya, seorang nyai dapat menolak budaya patriarki, namun tetap bisa diterima di lingkungan sekitarnya, bahkan bisa memajukan dirinya dan pesantrennya.

The Development of Hadith Studies in Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama

Arifuddin Ahmad — 2025-12-30

This study examines the development of hadith studies within Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in South Sulawesi, focusing on their methodological patterns, institutional roles, and contextual adaptations. The research aims to analyze how both organizations integrate classical scholarship with contemporary needs and address challenges in transmission, verification, and public engagement with hadith. Employing a qualitative approach, the findings reveal that Muhammadiyah emphasizes methodological rigor through sanad and matn criticism, supported by the Majelis Tarjih and programs such as Pendidikan Ulama Tarjih (PUT), which integrates hadith studies into a broader curriculum without isolating it as a standalone discipline. Its model prioritizes maqbul hadith, thematic analysis, and contextual ijtihad to address modern socio-religious issues. In contrast, NU maintains a pesantren-based model rooted in Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah, combining traditional bandongan and sorogan methods with gradual progression from foundational texts to advanced hadith collections. NU selectively accepts weak hadith for devotional purposes, emphasizing the authority of kiai and integrating hadith with fiqh and Sufism. Both models exhibit strengths in preserving scholarly tradition while adapting to contemporary challenges; however, they face limitations in balancing tradition and critical methodology. The study contributes to the discourse on regional Islamic scholarship by highlighting the diversity and adaptability of hadith studies in South Sulawesi.

Penelitian ini mengkaji perkembangan kajian hadis dalam Muhammadiyah dan Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) di Sulawesi Selatan, dengan fokus pada pola metodologis, peran kelembagaan, dan adaptasi kontekstual masing-masing. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis bagaimana kedua organisasi tersebut mengintegrasikan khazanah keilmuan klasik dengan kebutuhan kontemporer, sekaligus menjawab tantangan dalam aspek transmisi, verifikasi, dan keterlibatan publik terhadap hadis. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, riset ini menemukan bahwa Muhammadiyah menekankan ketelitian metodologis melalui kritik sanad dan matan, yang didukung oleh Majelis Tarjih serta program Pendidikan Ulama Tarjih (PUT), dengan mengintegrasikan kajian hadis ke dalam kurikulum yang lebih luas tanpa memisahkannya sebagai disiplin tersendiri. Model ini memprioritaskan hadis maqbul, analisis tematik, dan ijtihad kontekstual untuk menjawab isu-isu sosial-keagamaan modern. Sebaliknya, NU mempertahankan model berbasis pesantren yang berakar pada Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah, menggabungkan metode tradisional bandongan dan sorogan dengan tahapan pembelajaran bertahap dari teks-teks dasar hingga kitab hadis tingkat lanjut. NU menerapkan penerimaan selektif terhadap hadis lemah untuk tujuan-tujuan ibadah, menekankan otoritas kiai, dan mengintegrasikan hadis dengan fiqh serta tasawuf. Kedua model menunjukkan kekuatan dalam menjaga tradisi keilmuan sekaligus beradaptasi dengan tantangan kontemporer, namun menghadapi keterbatasan dalam menyeimbangkan tradisi dan metodologi kritis. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi pada diskursus keilmuan Islam regional dengan menyoroti keragaman dan daya adaptasi kajian hadis di Sulawesi Selatan.

The Ummah narrative in Indonesian politics: between emotional mobilization and the rationality of democracy and its impact

Jubair Situmorang — 2025-12-30

This study analyzes the phenomenon of ummah narrative in contemporary Indonesian politics and its impact on the quality of democracy. Employing qualitative research methods with case studies on the 2019 Presidential Election, the 2024 Presidential Election, and the 212 Movement/Aksi Bela Islam, this study explores the mechanism of emotional mobilization through the ummah narrative and its influence on the rationality of democracy. The study’s findings reveal that the ummah narrative operates through the construction of a collective identity, utilizing religious symbolism and majority-minority sentiments. This emotional mobilization mechanism is supported by factors such as political polarization, the use of digital media, charismatic leadership, and socio-economic contexts. The dominance of the ummah narrative on the rationality of democracy can be seen in the declining quality of public deliberation, the reduction of political pluralism, and the fragmentation of social cohesion. This research contributes to the understanding of identity politics in Indonesia and its implications for democratic consolidation. The novelty of the study lies in its comprehensive analysis, which combines the perspectives of emotional mobilisation theory, deliberative democracy, and identity politics in the context of the narrative of the Indonesian ummah. The results of this research are relevant for developing a strategy to strengthen democracy that is more inclusive and rational in Indonesia.

Penelitian ini menganalisis fenomena narasi keummatan dalam politik Indonesia kontemporer dan dampaknya terhadap kualitas demokrasi. Menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan studi kasus pada Pemilu Presiden 2019, Pemilu Presiden 2024, dan Gerakan 212/Aksi Bela Islam, penelitian ini mengeksplorasi mekanisme mobilisasi emosional melalui narasi keummatan dan pengaruhnya terhadap rasionalitas demokrasi. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa narasi keummatan bekerja melalui konstruksi identitas kolektif yang memanfaatkan simbolisme religius dan sentimen mayoritas-minoritas. Mekanisme mobilisasi emosional ini didukung oleh faktor-faktor seperti polarisasi politik, penggunaan media digital, kepemimpinan karismatik, dan konteks sosio-ekonomi. Dampak dominasi narasi keummatan terhadap rasionalitas demokrasi terlihat pada menurunnya kualitas deliberasi publik, tereduksinya pluralisme politik, dan terfragmentasinya kohesi sosial. Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi pada pemahaman tentang politik identitas di Indonesia dan implikasinya bagi konsolidasi demokrasi. Kebaruan penelitian terletak pada analisis komprehensif yang menggabungkan perspektif teori mobilisasi emosional, demokrasi deliberatif, dan politik identitas dalam konteks narasi keummatan Indonesia. Hasil penelitian ini relevan bagi pengembangan strategi penguatan demokrasi yang lebih inklusif dan rasional di Indonesia.

Sufi meditation and mental health: a phenomenological study of naqshbandi haqqani order followers in Indonesian

M. Agus Wahyudi — 2025-12-30

This study examines the lived experiences of followers of the Naqshbandi Haqqani Order, focusing on Sufi meditation practices and their influence on mental health. Adopting a qualitative phenomenological design, data were gathered through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving three adolescents engaged in Sufi meditation in Klaten, Indonesia. The study reveal that three core practices—dhikr (remembrance of God), muraqabah (spiritual mindfulness), and muhasabah (self-reflection)—play a pivotal role in fostering mental well-being. These practices promote emotional regulation, inner peace, catharsis, and resilience, thereby integrating spiritual and psychological dimensions of health. Dhikr and muraqabah deepen spiritual connectedness and renew a sense of meaning in life, while muhasabah facilitates cognitive restructuring and enhances self-awareness. Collectively, these elements contribute to sustained psychological stability and improved life satisfaction. The study underscores that Sufi meditation within the Naqshbandi Haqqani tradition not only enriches spiritual life but also serves as a culturally grounded and effective psychological intervention, offering valuable implications for incorporating faith-based approaches into contemporary mental health promotion.

Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi pengalaman subjektif para pengikut Tarekat Naqshbandi Haqqani, dengan fokus pada praktik meditasi sufi dan dampaknya terhadap kesehatan mental. Studi ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif fenomenologis, data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara mendalam, dan dokumentasi terhadap tiga remaja yang mengikuti praktik meditasi sufi di Klaten, Indonesia. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tiga praktik inti—zikir (mengingat Allah), muraqabah (kesadaran spiritual), dan muhasabah (refleksi diri)—memegang peran sentral dalam membentuk kesehatan mental. Praktik-praktik ini menumbuhkan kontrol emosi, kedamaian batin, katarsis, dan resiliensi, sehingga mencerminkan integrasi antara kesehatan spiritual dan psikologis. Zikir dan muraqabah memfasilitasi hubungan spiritual yang lebih mendalam serta pembaruan makna hidup, sedangkan muhasabah mendorong restrukturisasi kognitif dan peningkatan kesadaran diri. Secara keseluruhan, elemen-elemen ini berkontribusi pada stabilitas psikologis yang berkelanjutan dan peningkatan kepuasan hidup. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa meditasi sufi dalam tradisi Naqshbandi Haqqani tidak hanya memperkaya kehidupan spiritual, tetapi juga berfungsi sebagai intervensi psikologis berbasis budaya yang efektif, sekaligus menawarkan wawasan penting bagi integrasi pendekatan berbasis iman dalam kesehatan mental.

Religious moderation and character education as a model for countering radicalization in Indonesia

Sholihul Huda — 2025-12-30

This study explains the research on strengthening religious moderation through character education. Specifically, it aims to describe the deradicalization pattern of terrorism among former terrorist inmates (Napiter) at Circle of Peace Foundation (YLP) in Lamongan, Indonesia, by reinforcing religious moderation based on character education. The reinforcement of religious moderation is crucial and strategic, driven by the potential threat of the spread of extremist religious ideologies and actions across various social networks and social media platforms over the past two decades. This situation has had significant emotional, psychological, social, and political impacts; terrorism, aside from killing, aims to create chaos and panic in society without necessarily causing casualties. This study uses a qualitative approach to strengthen the argument on the topic through qualitative descriptive analysis based on field data collection. Data collection techniques include in-depth interviews with YLP administrators and former terrorist inmates. The study finds that the model of terrorism deradicalization through strengthening religious moderation via character education, employing philosophical-ideological and psychological-religious learning patterns, is highly strategic and effective. The effectiveness of this pattern is marked by its ability to change the self-awareness of former Napiter in producing and spreading thoughts, as well as transforming behavior from radical ideology to moderate ideology through educational efforts.

The openness of Muslim youth towards the transformation of Chinese identity through coffee culture

Samsul Hidayat — 2025-12-30

This research aims to explore the opennes of the Muslim youth toward the transformation of the Chinese identity through coffee culture and its role in bridging the cross cultural communication and tolerance. Employing qualitative investigation and performing in-depth interviews at Chinese-style coffee shops in Pontianak, Indonesia, this research examines how these places enable the cultural encounter and formation of hybrid identity. Research evidence indicates that Chinese-style coffee shops serve as social meeting places that promote cultural exchange, inter-religious tolerance and cultural diversity. This culture is well accepted by Muslim youth and they adapted to the culture in their own context and in doing so they help in contributing to the shared cultural practices. This research validates the role of social spaces in raising multicultural presence and cross-cultural interaction. This research presents the suggested strategies for increasing diversity and offers ideas for future research on cultural relations in other settings. The research therefore reveals the significance of coffee culture as media to bridge social differences and encourage social inclusion.

Disorientation of the meaning of Hajj in local Indonesian Muslim communities

Moh Soehadha Moh Soehadha — 2025-12-30

Abstract
This study investigates how social, cultural, technological, and modern influences can lead to a redefinition of the Hajj, specifically resulting in a loss of its traditional meaning. This research aims to examine the complexities of various influences on the attitudes and practices of Hajj pilgrims within the local Muslim community, which may cause disorientation during the performance of the Hajj. The research method employs an interpretive qualitative approach. Data is collected through participatory observation techniques to gather information about the implementation of the Hajj in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as local ritual practices related to the Hajj within Muslim communities in Madura and Lombok. The study identifies both internal and external factors contributing to the disorientation of the Hajj's meaning. Internal factors include limited knowledge among Hajj pilgrims and the local Muslim belief system, which is reinforced by traditions that elevate the Hajj as a religious example, bestowing it with high social status. External factors, such as modernity and advancements in digital technology, further exacerbate this disorientation, shifting the Hajj experience from a transcendent one to a worldly one, from idealistic to pragmatic, and from sacred rituals to a celebratory Hajj festival.

Studi ini menelisik tentang bagaimana pengaruh sosial, budaya, teknologi, dan modernitas menyebabkan perubahan definisi haji, khususnya hilangnya makna tradisional haji. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengupas kompleksitas ragam pengaruh tersebut terhadap sikap dan praktik para jamaah haji pada komunitas muslim lokal sehingga menyebabkan disorientasi dalam beribadah haji. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif interpretif. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik observasi partisipatif untuk memperoleh data tentang pelaksanaan haji di tanah suci Mekah dan Madinah, serta praktik ritual terkait dengan ibadah haji pada komunitas lokal di Madura dan Lombok. Dari penelitian ini ditemukan faktor internal dan eksternal yang menyebabkan disorientasi makna haji. Faktor internal disorientasi makna haji adalah pengetahuan jamaah haji yang terbatas dan sistem gagasan Muslim lokal yang didukung oleh tradisi ritual haji yang menempatkan haji sebagai teladan dari beragama dan memiliki kedudukan sosial yang tinggi, Adapun faktor eksternal adalah modernitas dan kemajuan teknologi digital yang mengukuhkan disorientasi makna haji; dari transendental ke duniawi, dari idealitas ke pragmatis, dan dari ritual sakral ke perayaan festivalisasi haji.

Ruhani communication: revealing conscience-based prophetic values in Jam’iyyatul Islamiyah, Indonesia

Iswandi Syahputra — 2025-12-30

This article presents a novel concept of ruhani communication, grounded in prophetic values, within the context of inner communication. Research data were collected through in-depth interviews with three key informants from Jam’iyyatul Islamiyah in Indonesia. The current study found that ruhani constitutes a spiritual aspect that functions as a communication partner within oneself. Ruhani possesses the prophetic features of shiddiq (righteousness), amanah (trust), tabligh (communicative), and fathanah (smart and wise). Ruhani, thus, exists within the spiritual plane. Yet, biologically, ruhani, which has the capacity to feel and record (Kitab), lies within the heart of every living human being. Hence, it is known as the voice of the heart or conscience. Ruhani, with the capacity to feel and record, which possesses prophetic values residing within the conscience, is the essence of the principal source in inner communication. Accordingly, the findings in this research will have implications for the currently established study of intrapersonal communication, leading towards a more essential and reflective innerpersonal communication.

Artikel ini menawarkan gagasan baru tentang komunikasi ruhani yang berbasis nilai-nilai kenabian dalam konteks komunikasi batin. Data penelitian diperoleh dari wawancara mendalam terhadap tiga narasumber kunci di Jam’iyyatul Islamiyah, Indonesia. Penelitian ini menemukan ruhani sebagai pihak yang secara batiniah (spiritual) menjadi mitra komunikasi dalam diri setiap orang. Ruhani memiliki sifat kenabian, yaitu shiddiq (benar), amanah (dapat dipercaya), tabligh (menyampaikan), dan fathanah (cerdas dan bijaksana). Karena itu, ruhani berada dalam wilayah spiritual. Namun secara biologis, ruhani yang mampu merasa dan mencatat tersebut bersemayam di dalam hati setiap manusia yang hidup. Sehingga disebut sebagai suara hati nurani. Ruhani yang bisa merasa, mencatat (Kitab), dan memiliki sifat kenabian yang bersemayam di hati nurani inilah esensi dari sumber penting dalam komunikasi batin. Sehingga temuan penelitian ini akan berimplikasi pada kajian komunikasi intrapersonal yang sudah mapan saat ini, menjadi innerpersonal yang lebih esensial dan reflektif.