SINTHOP: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya

The Naqshbandiyyah Al-Khalidiyyah Tariqah: Perspectives on Tawhid and Spirituality

Faisal M. Nur — 2024-12-24

The Al-Naqsyabandiyah Al-Khālidiyah Tariqah is one of the influential Sufi orders in the development of Islamic spirituality, with the significant role of the mursyid in guiding disciples toward closeness to God. This study aims to examine the existence of the mursyid in guiding disciples and analyze whether the concepts of tawasul and rabitah associated with the mursyid contradict the principles of tawhid and authentic Islamic teachings. The methodology used includes a literature review and textual analysis of classical works and contemporary literature related to the Al-Naqsyabandiyah Al-Khālidiyah Tariqah, the role of the mursyid, tawasul, and rabitah, as well as interviews with practitioners of the order to explore their perspectives. The findings indicate that the mursyid plays a vital role in the spiritual development of disciples in the Al-Naqsyabandiyah Al-Khālidiyah Tariqah. Additionally, tawasul and rabitah are not considered shirk in the context of this tariqah, but are seen as legitimate means to draw closer to Allah, provided they remain within the framework of tawhid. In conclusion, the existence of the mursyid is essential in this tariqah, and the practice of tawasul and rabitah can be accepted as long as it does not deviate from authentic Islamic teachings

Islam and Disaster Risk Reduction: The Role of Local Religious Leaders in Transforming Communities in Gampong Deah Glumpang, Banda Aceh

Fatimahsyam Fatimahsyam — 2024-12-30

The traditional perspective that perceives disasters as acts of divine destiny underwent a critical transformation following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. This classical view, which rendered communities passive in the face of disaster risks, has been progressively replaced by a more proactive understanding. Religious scholars (ulama) have played a pivotal role in fostering this transformation, encouraging communities to adopt active, participatory, and organized approaches to disaster risk reduction (DRR). This qualitative field study, conducted in Gampong Deah Glumpang, Banda Aceh, investigates two primary aspects: the management approaches of DRR programs implemented in the village and their impact on enhancing the community’s understanding and participation in building disaster resilience two decades after the tsunami. The findings reveal that local religious leaders significantly influenced the community’s shift from perceiving disasters as unchangeable divine decrees to recognizing the importance of proactive mitigation efforts. Through religiously grounded narratives, these leaders mobilized the community to actively engage in DRR initiatives, including risk mapping, contingency planning, and environmental conservation, as facilitated by the Banda Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI). The integration of religious teachings with DRR frameworks proved effective in transforming perceptions, strengthening social cohesion, and fostering inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Al-Ghazali’s Refutations of Philosophers: Examining Tahafut al-Falasifah on Eternity, Divine Knowledge, and Resurrection

Juwaini Juwaini — 2024-12-30

Al-Ghazali, a pivotal scholar in Islamic intellectual history, is renowned for his systematic critique of philosophical ideas that challenged Islamic theology during his time. His landmark work, Tahafut al-Falasifah (The Incoherence of the Philosophers), addressed the doctrines of prominent Muslim philosophers such as Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, who sought to reconcile Greek philosophy with Islamic teachings. Using a library-based research approach and analytical methods, this study examines Al-Ghazali’s refutations, particularly his objections to the concepts of the universe's eternity, God’s limited knowledge of particulars, and the denial of bodily resurrection. By categorizing philosophical thought into acceptable, heretical, and unbelief categories, Al-Ghazali delineated the boundaries of religious orthodoxy in response to these debates. His critical approach not only fortified Islamic theological principles but also established a framework for reconciling reason and faith. This study underscores Al-Ghazali’s enduring influence in Islamic thought and highlights the relevance of his arguments in contemporary discussions on philosophy and religion.