Al-Hukumah: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Studi Islam
Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026)

The Role of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) in Religious Authority and Da'wah: A Study of the MUI Fatwa on Pluralism, Liberalism, and Secularism

Andre Parsian (Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta)
Ali Ridho (Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta)
Muhammad Aris (Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta)
Ahmad Irfan (Universitas Muhamadiyah Jakarta)
Siti Nuri Nurhaidah (Universitas Islam As-Syafiiyah Jakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in a plural society through an examination of MUI Fatwa No. 7/MUNAS VII/MUI/14/2005 concerning pluralism, liberalism, and secularism in religion. The research focuses on investigating how MUI's religious authority functions not only as an institution issuing religious rulings but also as a da'wah communication actor that shapes religious discourse in the public sphere. This study employs a qualitative approach using content analysis and framing analysis to examine the structure, language, and communication strategies embedded in the fatwa text. The findings indicate that MUI possesses strong socio-religious legitimacy in guiding Muslims, as reflected in the normative and authoritative language employed in the fatwa. In addition to serving as a legal guideline, the fatwa functions as a medium of da'wah communication that frames pluralism, liberalism, and secularism as threats to Islamic creed. Through a binary oppositional framing, the fatwa shapes public perceptions regarding the boundaries of religious truth. Within the context of a plural society, the fatwa carries ambivalent implications: it strengthens religious identity while potentially encouraging exclusivism and limiting interfaith dialogue. This study concludes that the MUI fatwa represents a form of authoritative da'wah communication that contributes to the construction of socio-religious norms and realities. Therefore, a more dialogical and inclusive da'wah approach is needed to support social harmony.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

1

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Social Sciences

Description

Al-Hukumah: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Studi Islam is an open access and peer reviewed journal published by Konsultan Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia which provides articles in all fields of Government Science and Islamic Studies and related disciplines. The word Al-Hukumah is taken from Arabic, namely ...