The Indonesian Islam: Law and the Ideological Perspective.

Abstract

The Indonesian Islam: Law and the Ideological Perspective. This article is aimed at exploring the development of Islam in Indonesia with particular references to the ideological perspective and its impact on Islamic law. At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were two ideologies in Indonesian Muslims. The first ideology believes that the consistence with traditions is very important while the other believes that Islamic teachings are able to change according to time and place. Although having difference in orientation, both ideologies devoted themselves to social, religious and political activities. In political sphere, however, both ideologies, were faced with secular nationalist ideology. Such a competition ended with a failure that made Indonesian Muslims receding into the background. After realizing of the failure in politics, both ideologies turn their orientation to cultural Islam. Through this orientation, peaceful and mutual understanding between Muslims and state began to grow. Subsequently, the government, especially New Order regime, identified itself with the religious activities and opened a chance to promote Islamic values. It was from such a relationship that the Islamic law gradually developed in Indonesia.