The rise of the sectarian spirit that uses religious and ethnic symbols in political battles has brought the Indonesian nation to a political atmosphere that leads to social segregation. If this continues without control, it will threaten national integrity and the fabric of diversity.
In an atmosphere like this, we should review the practices and political movements of the Ulama and Kiai to instil and teach Islam as a manifestation of the politics of Islam Nusantara. It’s essential because the politics of Islam Nusantara has succeeded in instilling Islamic teachings peacefully, humanely and also succeeded in maintaining and keeping the diversity that exists in the Archipelago to this day.
Islamic Politics in Siyasah Fiqh
To truly understand the political aspect of Islam Nusantara, it’s necessary to look at the construct of fiqh thought in viewing and formulating politics. Fiqh perspective is the most widely used in the political practice of Nusantara Islam and Sufism.
In the view of Islamic jurisprudence, politics is an effort to realize the benefit of both the world and the hereafter, as seen in the thought of Imam al-Bujairimî. He stated that politics is fixing the people’s problems and managing them by governing them because of their obedience to the government.
Meanwhile, according to Imam Ibn ‘Âbidîn, politics is another word for efforts to create the benefit of the ummah by—among other things—guiding them in the direction of a path that saves life in this world and the hereafter (Assiyasatu hiya ‘ibaratun ‘ala stishlahi l-ummati bi irsyadihim ila the -thoriqi l-munjiyyi dun-yan wa ukhro).