Background

This book seeks to examine Islamic legal opinion (fatwā) in the post-New Order (Orde Baru) Indonesia issued by three major fatwā-making agencies (dār al-iftāʼ) in the country namely Majelis Ulama’ Indonesia (MUI), Majelis Tarjih Muhammadiyah, and Lajnah Baḥth al-Masāil Nahdlatul Ulama’ (LBM-NU). It elucidates the key features of these agencies and the distinctive methods they utilize in crafting their legal opinion ( fatwā). It also examines major factors conditioning the genesis of legal opinion (fatwā) selected. Nevertheless, it should also be made clear from the outset that this book does not aim at in-depth socio-historical analysis conditioning the making of legal opinion (fatwā). Another central issue analyzed is how competing modes of thought condition as well as reflect the production of legal opinion (fatwā) within the respective agencies. Furthermore, how legal opinion (fatwā) serve as a site for competing mode of thinking of dominant agencies within the Muslim community of Indonesia will be explored.

The overriding interest of this book is in understanding the implications of Islamic legal opinion (fatwā) on Indonesia's plural society and the extent to which it facilitates adaptation to the demands of rapid social change confronting the community. While there has been a vast number of legal opinion ( fatwā) pronounced by these organizations within the period selected, this book will focus on legal opinion (fatwā) that have strong implications on the lives of Muslims within Indonesian society as they attempt to adapt and adjust to the demands of change and challenges of the plural society in which they live. Legal opinion (fatwā) on sectarianism and interreligious relations, major aspects of rituals and religious practices as well as those dealing with issues of modernity will be examined.

In Indonesia, fatwā-making agencies are integral to Islamic groups or movements. For example, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama‘(NU) are equipped with fatwā-making bodies called Majelis Tarjih and Lajnah Baḥth al-Masāil respectively. Other organizations such as Persatuan Islam (Persis) also founded the Dewan Hisbah which is responsible for the production of legal opinion (fatwā) within the organization. In some organizations such as Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) where no specific fatwā-making institution exists, the organization nonetheless frequently functions as the fatwā-maker for its members.