FATWA IN INDONESIA: AN ANALYSIS OF DOMINANT LEGAL IDEAS AND MODES OF THOUGHT OF FATWA-MAKING AGENCIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS IN THE POST-NEW ORDER PERIOD

Abstract

This thesis seeks to examine fatwa in the post-New Order period in Indonesia issued by three major fatwa-making agencies namely Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), Lajnah Bahth al-Masail Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Majelis Tarjih Muhammadiyah. These agencies are highly influential in shaping religious thought and life of Muslims in Indonesia and are generally characterised by specific religious orientations within Indonesian Islam. MUI, a quasi-state religious body representing all the major Islamic organizations in the country is widely known for its traditionalistic/conservative religious orientation. Muhammadiyah, on the other hand, is popularly perceived as a modernist Islamic movement, while NU is generally viewed as an example of an Islamic movement with traditionalist leanings. While numerous fatwa have emerged during the period of this study, this thesis focuses only on those that bear strong repercussions on intra community relations and the development of Indonesian Muslims, more generally.