al-Afkar, Journal For Islamic Studies
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025)

Study of the Implementation of Islamic Leadership (Imamah, Caliph, and Ulil Amri) in Indonesia

Roni Rahmad Hasonangan Ritonga (Unknown)
Zulkarnaen (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2025

Abstract

This study aims to understand and compare the implementation of three main concepts of leadership in Islam Imamah, Khilafah, and Ulil Amri in the socio-political context of democratic and plural Indonesia. Using an explorative-comparative qualitative approach through literature study and critical discourse analysis, this study analyzes classical religious texts, state policy documents, and socio-religious narratives to identify the legitimacy structures, leadership mechanisms, and the relevance of the three concepts to the modern governance system. The findings show that although Imamah and Khilafah have strong theological and historical depths, only the Ulil Amri concept has gained broad legitimacy in Indonesian religious and political discourse. This concept is considered compatible with the principles of constitutional democracy and Islamic ethical values such as amanah, ‘adl, and maslahah. This study formulates a contextual Islamic leadership model that is a synthesis of the three approaches, offering an ethical and functional framework to strengthen governance that is characterful, inclusive, and accountable. These results provide a conceptual contribution to the development of an Islamic leadership paradigm that is relevant to the challenges of the modern nation-state.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

Afkar_Journal

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

al-Afkar, Journal for Islamic Studies is published by Association of Secondment Lecturers (Asosiasi Dosen DPK) UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung Indonesia. Focus of al-Afkar, Journal for Islamic Studies is on publishing original empirical research articles and theoretical reviews of Islamic Studies, ...