Power and Religion in the View of Al-'Amiri

M. Abu Bulaini (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)

Journal Basic Science and Technology
Vol 11 No 1 (2022): February: Basic Science and Technology

Religion as an institution of belief has tools that provide explanations and conceptions of God, humans and the universe. In achieving that goal, sometimes it fosters a fundamentalist attitude in the field of radicalism, as a consequence of facing challenges and obstacles. Meanwhile, power as a religious instrument is largely determined by "who" exercises that power. This means that the enforcement of religious laws needs to be supported by pro-religious powers. As a result, the exercise of power is colored by religious cultural values. This side is the unification of religion with the state in the exercise of power, in addition to the other side, namely the separation of religion and state and state recognition of religious values ??or pluralism in a broad sense. Religion needs power. Vice versa, power requires religion. Religion needs power. Without power, both personally and in society at large, religious values ??and teachings will not be implemented properly in everyday life. He is a philosopher who has Sufism tendencies and on the other hand al-„Amiri studies politics because of his sense of respect and love for the king. In the political field, Al-„Amiri tried to combine religion and power. This is proven when discussing the problems of the people, kings, and others which are always associated with the Qur'an and Hadith. Power and government are needed to realize the implementation of religious obligations. Thus, state enforcement is not a goal but more as an instrument to realize the teachings of Islam. Furthermore, al-„Amiri explained that if power and wealth were used as a means to draw closer to God, of course, there would be harmony between religious life and worldly life. On the other hand, if power separates itself from religion, or religion ignores power, then what will happen is damage and calamity for mankind. For this reason, it is very reasonable to conclude that the relationship between religion and power (state) in al-„Amiri's view is actually more functional and not organic.