MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman
Vol 50, No 1 (2026)

SUFISM AND MORAL LEADERSHIP IN ISLAMIC POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: The Ethical Infrastructure of Sheikh Musthafa Husein Nasution in North Sumatra

Bahri, Saipul (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Bin Mohd Rosdi, Mohd Syakir (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Kusmanto, Heri (Universitas Sumatera Utara)



Article Info

Publish Date
12 Mar 2026

Abstract

This article examines the sufistic thought of Sheikh Musthafa Husein Nasution and its significance for Islamic political development in North Sumatra. Existing studies on sufism often treat it as a personal spiritual tradition, leaving its role in shaping political ethics and leadership practices underexplored, particularly at the regional level. Employing a qualitative approach based on library research, historical analysis, and in-depth interviews with political and community leaders, this study analyzes how Nasution integrated sufistic values into leadership formation, governance practices, and political regeneration. The findings reveal that sufism in Nasution’s thought functions as an ethical infrastructure that underpins Islamic political development through moral leadership formation, disciplined political conduct, service-oriented leadership, and long-term cadreization. By grounding political authority in tazkiyah al-nafs, spiritual accountability, and public welfare (mashlahah), Nasution’s model challenges technocratic and transactional approaches to development. This study contributes to Islamic political studies by repositioning Sufism as a normative and analytical framework for value-based political development in plural Muslim societies.  

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Journal Info

Abbrev

MIQOT

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities

Description

MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman is a peer reviewed academic journal, established in 1976 as part of the State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan (see: video), dedicated to the publication of scholarly articles in various branches of Islamic Studies, by which exchanges of ideas as research ...