Kawanua International Journal of Multicultural Studies
Vol 6 No 2 (2025)

Islamic Legal Philosophy as a Framework for Legal Reform in Multicultural Societies

Yusuf, Nasruddin (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

Studies on the philosophy of Islamic law often remain descriptive-normative and repetitive, offering limited guidance for reform in lived legal settings. In Indonesia's multicultural and legally plural society - where state law, Islamic norms, and local adat interact - this gap becomes more consequential, because reform must sustain religious legitimacy while remaining socially workable across diverse communities. This article argues that Islamic legal philosophy can function as a systematic paradigm for Islamic legal reform when articulated through three dimensions: first, an ontological dimension that frames Islamic law as rooted in revelation and enlivened by reason; second, an epistemological dimension that explains lawful discovery through istinbat and istitdal, including the use of maqasid al-shariah and maslahah to engage new issues; and third, an axiological dimension that orients reform toward justice, balance, and prosperity as public goods. With this framework, reform can be pursued methodically: grounded in revelation, methodologically valid, and responsive to contemporary multicultural realities. The article thus positions Islamic legal philosophy not as abstract discourse, but as a practical foundation for consistent and context-sensitive renewal.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

KIJMS

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Kawanua International Journal of Multicultural Studies is an international and open-access journal published by State Islamic Institute of Manado (IAIN) Manado, Indonesia. It aims to represent the multiculturalism as the vision of IAIN MANADO in 2035. The scope of this journal is international ...