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This article examines the relationship between Islamic politics and democracy in contemporary Indonesia. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia presents a distinctive dynamic in the interaction between Islamic values and modern democratic systems. This study aims to analyze how Islamic political actors, including political parties and religious organizations, interact with and adapt to democratic practices in the post-Reform era. The research employs a qualitative method through a literature review of Indonesian academic journals published within the last five years. The findings indicate that Islamic politics in Indonesia is plural and dynamic, showing an adaptive tendency toward democratic principles. Islamic values such as deliberation (shura), justice, and equality are considered compatible with democratic ideals. However, Islamic politics also faces contemporary challenges, including the politicization of religion, identity politics, and social polarization. The article concludes that the relationship between Islamic politics and democracy in Indonesia is dynamic and largely adaptive within the framework of the Pancasila state.

This article examines three major streams of Islamic political thought in Indonesia through a comparative analysis of the ideas of Mohammad Natsir, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). Mohammad Natsir embodies the constitutional–integralist perspective, which seeks to formalize Islam as the foundation of the state by utilizing democratic mechanisms and constitutional political processes. In contrast, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir reflects a radical–ideological orientation that firmly rejects democracy and advocates the full implementation of Islamic Sharia through extra-constitutional and non-parliamentary movements. Meanwhile, Abdurrahman Wahid represents a substantive–cultural approach, opposing the formal institutionalization of Islam within the state while promoting Islamic values as ethical guidance for building a tolerant and pluralistic nation. The contrasting viewpoints of these three figures highlight the diversity of Islamic political discourse in Indonesia and illustrate the evolving interaction between religion and state. Overall, this study demonstrates how Islamic thought continues to adapt and remain relevant within Indonesia’s multicultural and democratic context.

This study discusses the judge’s considerations in granting child custody of a non-mumayyiz (underage) child to the biological father in the Religious Court Decision of Tanjung Karang Number: 1379/Pdt.G/2024/PA.Tnk. Generally, according to Islamic law and the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI), custody of a non-mumayyiz child is granted to the biological mother. However, in this case, the panel of judges decided to grant custody to the biological father. The purpose of this research is to identify the legal reasoning behind the judge’s decision and the legal implications of such a ruling. The study employs a normative juridical method with a descriptive-analytical approach, supported by primary data obtained through interviews and secondary data from legislation and legal literature. The results show that the judge’s consideration was based on the best interest of the child principle, as the mother had remarried a non-Muslim man and converted to another religion, which made her ineligible to be the custodian under Islamic law. The legal implication of this decision reinforces the authority of judges to interpret hadhanah provisions contextually, ensuring the protection of the child’s rights and supporting their growth in accordance with religious teachings and prevailing social norms.

This study stems from a classic question in the study of political hadith regarding leadership, specifically the hadith "The Imams are from Quraysh," which is often understood textually as requiring leaders to be from the Quraysh tribe. This kind of understanding often stops at the normative and historical level, without considering the socio-political context of modern society, which is fundamentally different from the early Islamic era. As a result, a gap emerged between the moral message of the hadith and the reality of the leadership system in democratic countries like Indonesia. This research aims to reanalyse the meaning of hadiths about Quraysh and non-Quraysh leadership, and to trace their relevance to the concept of state leadership in the Indonesian constitutional system, placing Islamic political theory and modern leadership theory on an equal footing (theory = theory). This research employs a qualitative approach based on library research, with the primary sources being political hadiths and classical references such as al-Ahkam al-Sulthaniyyah by al-Mawardi, supplemented by contemporary literature on the modern Indonesian government system. The analysis was conducted using comparative methods and content analysis to explore the commonalities and differences between the concept of Imamah in Islam and leadership in modern democratic systems. The research findings indicate that the hadith about Quraysh leadership cannot be understood rigidly as a limitation of lineage, but rather as an ethical guideline emphasising the principles of justice, trust, responsibility, and public interest. The ethical values in the hadith align with the basic principles of the presidential system in Indonesia, such as public accountability, limitation of power, and popular sovereignty, as regulated in the 1945 Constitution. Despite challenges such as corruption, the politicisation of religion, and weak leadership morality, the values of the hadith remain relevant if translated into public norms and modern governance practices. This research confirms that leadership in Islam and Indonesian democracy can complement each other, with Islam providing a moral and spiritual foundation, while democracy offers the legal and political structure to realise it.

Indonesia is a pluralistic country with diverse religions, races, ethnicities, and customs, making freedom of expression an essential right protected by law. Article 28E of the 1945 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely express their beliefs and opinions. From the perspective of fiqh Siyasah Dusturiyah (Islamic constitutional politics), freedom of expression is a right that must be safeguarded by the state as long as it aligns with the principles of deliberation and does not contradict Islamic law. This study aims to examine the freedom of expression of Syaykh Al-Zaytun in light of Siyasah Dusturiyah and Article 28E of the 1945 Constitution. The research uses a normative juridical approach with primary data sources including the Constitution and the book Ilmu Hukum dalam Simpul Siyasah Dusturiyah by Ali Akhbar Abaib Mas Rabbani Lubis, as well as secondary sources such as books, journals, documents, and legal regulations. The findings indicate that Syaykh Al-Zaytun’s freedom of expression is permissible under both perspectives, provided certain conditions are met: it must comply with Islamic law and national law, uphold public interest, cause no harm, and be accompanied by social responsibility. Syaykh Panji Gumilang’s views should be understood as part of public discourse, not hate speech, as they aim to foster nationalism and the common good.  

This study examines the concept of women's leadership from an Islamic and Catholic perspective and how religious values ​​influence the acceptance and legitimacy of women's leadership in the public sphere. Using a qualitative approach using a desk study method, this study analyzes religious texts, scientific literature, and case studies of the leadership of two Southeast Asian women: Megawati Soekarnoputri in Indonesia and Corazon Aquino in the Philippines. The results show that both Islam and Catholicism have complex histories and interpretations of women's roles in leadership. While conservative and patriarchal readings exist within both traditions, there is also interpretive space that allows women to emerge as leaders. The leadership of Megawati and Aquino demonstrates that women are capable of leading with distinctive styles rooted in values ​​of spirituality, morality, and service. Both demonstrate a non-confrontational yet effective leadership approach, which simultaneously opens up space for reinterpreting women's roles in religion and politics. Thus, women's leadership is not a deviation from religious teachings, but rather part of the socio-religious dynamic that demands inclusivity and equality.

This study examines the concept of women's leadership from an Islamic and Catholic perspective and how religious values ​​influence the acceptance and legitimacy of women's leadership in the public sphere. Using a qualitative approach using a desk study method, this study analyzes religious texts, scientific literature, and case studies of the leadership of two Southeast Asian women: Megawati Soekarnoputri in Indonesia and Corazon Aquino in the Philippines. The results show that both Islam and Catholicism have complex histories and interpretations of women's roles in leadership. While conservative and patriarchal readings exist within both traditions, there is also interpretive space that allows women to emerge as leaders. The leadership of Megawati and Aquino demonstrates that women are capable of leading with distinctive styles rooted in values ​​of spirituality, morality, and service. Both demonstrate a non-confrontational yet effective leadership approach, which simultaneously opens up space for reinterpreting women's roles in religion and politics. Thus, women's leadership is not a deviation from religious teachings, but rather part of the socio-religious dynamic that demands inclusivity and equality.

Abstract, This research was conducted with the aim of exploring the legal reconstruction efforts based on the Maqasid al-Shari’ah perspective, as reflected in the decision issued by the Supreme Court, in order to provide a legal breakthrough in the distribution of inheritance through the concept of wasiat wajibah (compulsory will) for non-Muslim heirs. The difference in religious affiliation within family law gives rise to serious inheritance issues, as Islamic law strictly prohibits inheritance between people of different religions. In order to maintain national unity and integrity, the Supreme Court issued Decision Number 331 K/AG/2018, which grants the right to a wasiat wajibah to heirs who have converted out of Islam or are non-Muslims. This study is a normative juridical research that employs two legal approaches: the conceptual approach and the analytical approach. The data collection technique used to achieve the research objectives is library-based documentation study. The findings show that all judicial bodies in Indonesia must refer to Article 49, Articles 1 and 2 of the 1989 Law concerning legal provisions on litigation, management, and enforcement of civil litigation in inheritance cases. Furthermore, Qur’an Surah An-Nisa verse 141 and Hadiths from Al-Bukhari and Muslim explain that Islamic identity must be a determining factor for heirs, disregarding wills that are not valid under Islamic law. Based on the results, it can be concluded that a wasiat wajibah for apostate or non-Muslim heirs is treated not as an inheritance, but as a special bequest. According to the Maqasid al-Shari’ah, which serves as the foundation for achieving the objectives of Islamic law through its five core principles of protection, the concept of wasiat wajibah for non-Muslim heirs plays a crucial role in: preserving religion by fostering interfaith tolerance; preserving life by preventing familial conflict; preserving intellect by ensuring access to education for non-Muslim descendants; preserving lineage by recognizing the rights of children as biological heirs through inheritance; and preserving wealth by ensuring the rightful and responsible transfer of ownership of the deceased’s estate.