Islamic Review: Jurnal Riset dan Kajian Keislaman

Turkish Nationalism in 2025 in the Shadow of Islamism and Secularism

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

This study discusses the dynamics of Turkish nationalism in 2025 which is characterized by a high inflation rate, but is not accompanied by a political crisis or national disintegration. This phenomenon is interesting because economic crises usually trigger social and political tensions, but in Turkey it is quite the opposite. The government is able to manage the political dynamics of Islamist and secular groups productively, making this division a social capital to strengthen national unity. This research uses a qualitative approach by observing social discourse, government policies, and community responses to national issues. The results show that Turkish nationalism is not uniform, but rather divided between those who support secularism as a national identity and those who see Islam as an important part of national identity. Despite the tensions between the two groups, they have in common in terms of commitment to the integrity and sovereignty of the country. The main difference lies in the way they interpret national identity.

One Contract, Two Verdicts: A Comparative Analysis of Mudharabah Default Disputes in the Yogyakarta Religious Court

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

This research is motivated by differences in judges' decisions in disputes over the default of a mudharabah contract in the religious court environment, even though the objects of the dispute and the legal bases used are similar. This study aims to analyze inconsistencies in judges' legal reasoning in assessing the elements of default and their implications for the consistency of the application of Sharia economic law in Indonesia. This research uses a qualitative method with a juridical-normative approach, drawing on two decisions of the Yogyakarta Religious Court, Number 392/Pdt.G/2021/PA. YK and Number 370/Pdt.G/2020/PA. YK by analyzing positive legal norms, DSN-MUI fatwas, and the principles of muamalah fiqh. The results of the study show that the judge in the first case emphasizes the legal-formal approach, oriented toward legal certainty, while the judge in the second case adopts a substantive-normative approach that considers the fairness and good faith of the parties. These paradigm differences indicate a disharmony in the interpretation of sharia law and in the proof of mudharabah contracts. This disharmony has implications for the weakening of legal certainty in the settlement of Sharia economic disputes. Theoretically, these findings confirm Gustav Radbruch's view of the tension between the value of legal certainty (rechtssicherheit) and substantive justice (gerechtigkeit) in judicial practice. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare guidelines for the interpretation of sharia economic law that integrates the principles of positive law, fiqh muamalah, and maqashid al-sharia in encouraging real business sector financing and supporting development of the sharia economy.

The Manifestation of Wahdatul Adyan in Ibn Arabi's Perspective as a Basis of Religious Moderation in Indonesia

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

Indonesia's profound religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity necessitates a robust framework for religious moderation to maintain national unity. However, public misunderstanding persists, particularly the erroneous equation of moderation with the claim that "all religions are the same." This study reinterprets the Sufi concept of Wahdatul Adyan (unity of religions) as developed in Ibn Arabi's thought (Futuhat al-Makkiyyah and Tarjuman al-Asywaq) to provide a more precise foundation for religious moderation. Using a qualitative document study approach and systematic literature review, this research analyzes Ibn Arabi's original texts and contemporary Indonesian discourse on religious moderation. The findings reveal that the popular understanding of Wahdatul Adyan as "religious unification" is a misinterpretation. Instead, the concept signifies the "unification of shared values across religions"—emphasizing common ethical principles such as compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity, without erasing theological differences. Consequently, religious moderation is reframed not as syncretism but as a collaborative effort to identify convergent moral values that foster interfaith harmony. This study contributes to the global discourse on religious moderation by offering a conceptually grounded, value-based alternative to both exclusivist and relativist approaches, with practical implications for multicultural societies, particularly in Southeast Asia.

From Dichotomy to Applied Islamization: Transforming the Relationship Between Islamic Education and Science in Indonesia

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

This study is motivated by the limited research on contemporary policy implementation data regarding scientific transformation, despite its significant impact on the social legitimacy and global competitiveness of Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) in Indonesia. The study aims to comprehensively analyze the conceptual evolution from Dichotomy to the applied Islamization of Knowledge phase and map its implementation through PTKIN strategic policies from 2020 to 2025. The research adopts a qualitative library research design, using an analytical comparative approach to evaluate official policy documents, curriculum reports (RPS), and accredited literature. Data was collected using systematic literature review and analyzed through qualitative interactive analysis, including data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that the Integrative-Interconnective Paradigm has successfully become the dominant philosophical framework, manifested through the Ministry of Religious Affairs' strategic emphasis on STEM-based research, ecotheology, and international collaborations. The study concludes that scientific transformation has reached a phase of applied Islamization where PTKIN acts as a producer of globally relevant knowledge. Implications include practical recommendations for stakeholders to standardize interconnective pedagogy and invest in faculty capacity building

Bridging the Divide: Integrative Curriculum Management in Islamic Boarding Schools

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

This study investigates the implementation of integrative curriculum management in Islamic boarding schools to bridge the dichotomy between religious and general education. It focuses on how curriculum integration is planned, implemented, and evaluated, as well as its impact on students’ competencies. A qualitative case study approach was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis involving six key informants. The findings reveal that integrative curriculum management is systematically carried out through synchronized planning, contextual learning practices, and continuous evaluation. This approach significantly strengthens students’ holistic competencies, including religious understanding, academic achievement, critical thinking, and moral character. The success of implementation is strongly influenced by leadership commitment, institutional culture, and collaborative teaching practices. In addition, adaptive strategies are proven effective in addressing resistance to change and maintaining curriculum relevance in the face of global challenges. However, inconsistencies at the instructional level indicate that integration has not been fully internalized by all educators. This study contributes an empirical model of integrative curriculum management in pesantren, offering a practical framework for educational reform that is both contextually grounded and globally relevant. Further research across diverse settings is recommended to enhance external validity.

Challenges in Implementing Character Education through Scouting Extracurricular Activities in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

Scouting extracurricular activities in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) play a significant role in fostering students’ character development and discipline. However, their implementation at MI PSM Gempolan II Gurah, Kediri, faces several challenges that hinder the achievement of character education objectives. This study aims to identify and analyze the problems encountered in the implementation of scouting extracurricular activities and to propose appropriate solutions for improvement.This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The findings reveal several major issues, including low student motivation, limited number and competence of scout instructors, inadequate facilities and infrastructure, and insufficient parental support. These challenges collectively affect the effectiveness of the program and limit its contribution to students’ character development.Based on these findings, several strategies are recommended, including enhancing instructors’ competence through professional training, improving the availability and quality of facilities, developing more innovative and engaging activity programs, and strengthening communication and collaboration with parents.In conclusion, optimizing these aspects is essential to improve the effectiveness of scouting extracurricular activities, enabling them to contribute more significantly to character building among students at MI PSM Gempolan II Gurah.

From Rejection to Accommodation: The Dynamics of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir's Ideological Shifts on Pancasila

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

The relationship between Islam and Pancasila remains a subject of ongoing debate within Islamic discourse in Indonesia, particularly when linked to the views of influential Islamic figures. Abu Bakar Ba’asyir is one such figure whose perspective on Pancasila has evolved over time rather than remaining static. This article aims to analyze the dynamics of Ba’asyir’s changing views on Pancasila through a textual analysis of his publicly available statements.This study employs a qualitative approach using textual analysis. The data consist of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir’s public statements, including transcribed speeches and documented written statements. The analysis is conducted chronologically to identify patterns, directions, and contextual factors underlying the shifts in his views across different periods.The findings indicate that Ba’asyir’s views on Pancasila have shifted in response to changing social, political, and legal contexts. These shifts demonstrate that the perspectives of Islamic figures on state ideology may evolve alongside broader societal dynamics. This study contributes to the discussion of Islamic political thought in Indonesia by highlighting the importance of analyzing public statements as a primary source for understanding ideological change.

Da'wah Strategy through Islamic Education in the Digital Era

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

The digital revolution has fundamentally reshaped how religious values are communicated, yet Islamic education institutions have been slow to adapt their da'wah (preaching) strategies accordingly. This study addresses this gap by identifying and analyzing effective digital da'wah strategies within the context of Islamic education in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Employing a qualitative literature review methodology with descriptive analysis, the research systematically examines academic articles, books, and policy documents published between 2015 and 2025. Through iterative processes of data reduction, thematic categorization, and interpretive analysis, four strategic pillars emerge: (1) integration of technology-based curricula, (2) utilization of social media as a religious education medium, (3) development of online learning platforms, and (4) strengthening digital literacy among educators and students. These strategies collectively expand da'wah reach, enhance youth engagement, and deepen the internalization of Islamic values in digital spaces. The study makes two significant contributions: theoretically, it advances digital da'wah discourse by foregrounding its adaptive and contextual dimensions within Islamic education; practically, it offers actionable recommendations for institutional policy reform, educator capacity building, and ethical digital content production. Future research should employ empirical methods including surveys, experiments, and longitudinal studies to assess the effectiveness, challenges, and long-term impacts of digital da'wah on religious behavior and social transformation across diverse Muslim communities.

Integrating Kyai’s Authority into Sharia Mediation: A Socio-Legal Approach to Legal Pluralism and Family Law Harmony in Madura

2026-05-06T08:49:33+07:00

This study investigates the pivotal role of the Kyai in Sharia mediation and the integration of their religious authority with the Indonesian national legal system within family law disputes in Madura. Utilizing a qualitative socio-legal approach, the research explores the dynamics of legal pluralism and the harmonization between Sharia and state law. The findings reveal that while the Madurese community predominantly favors Sharia mediation led by Kyais due to high social trust, these religious figures do not operate in isolation from formal law. Instead, Kyais actively bridge the gap by considering state legal frameworks, particularly in protecting women’s rights during divorce and inheritance disputes. This study proposes the concept of "religious authority-based legal pluralism," where Kyais act as socio-legal mediators who negotiate and reinterpret the relationship between religious norms and formal statutes. The research concludes that moderate legal integration, facilitated by local authorities, is essential for creating equitable, socially acceptable, and legally valid solutions in multicultural societies.