Batik Beyond Heritage: UIN Jakarta Professor Affirms It as a Symbol of Halal Lifestyle

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN Online News — Batik has the potential to become a model of halal lifestyle for contemporary Muslim communities seeking fashionable yet religiously appropriate clothing. The use of natural materials, impurity-free production processes, and motifs aligned with Islamic values serve as strong foundations for integrating batik into the halal lifestyle.

This was conveyed by Prof. Dr. Afidah Wahyuni, M.Ag., in her inaugural speech upon being appointed as a Professor of Contemporary Fiqh at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). Prof. Afidah presented her research titled "Hand-drawn Batik Fashion as a Halal Lifestyle: Preserving Indonesia’s Cultural Identity through a Contemporary Fiqh Reflection."

In her address, Prof. Afidah stated that batik is widely recognized as an integral part of Indonesia’s cultural identity. Acknowledged by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009, hand-drawn batik continues to thrive due to its high artistic value and deep connection to the nation’s heritage. “Hand-drawn batik is not merely a fashion product, but a cultural legacy that must be preserved,” she asserted.

Linking her topic with contemporary fiqh, Prof. Afidah emphasized that this branch of Islamic jurisprudence is not only crucial in addressing modern Islamic legal challenges, but also serves as a guide to living in accordance with sharia amidst modernization. “Contemporary fiqh is a bridge between tradition and innovation in this changing era,” she explained.

She elaborated that halal fashion encompasses materials, designs, and dressing styles that align with Islamic values. The rising number of Muslim women prioritizing sharia-compliant clothing has boosted the popularity of hand-drawn batik as part of the Muslim fashion identity in Indonesia. This shows that batik is more than heritage—it is also a spiritual expression that upholds Islamic principles.

From the perspective of contemporary fiqh, the permissibility of hand-drawn batik is evaluated through various aspects, such as the use of natural materials, impurity-free production processes, and motifs that do not conflict with Islamic teachings. “This proves that hand-drawn batik holds significant potential to be developed as part of a halal lifestyle,” she added.

Prof. Afidah also highlighted batik’s contribution to the national creative economy. Batik contributes substantially to Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the growing demand for hand-drawn batik opens economic opportunities for local artisans. “Preserving hand-drawn batik not only benefits culture but also supports community-based economies,” she remarked.

However, she cautioned that preserving batik faces challenges in the modern era, such as competition with mass-produced stamped and printed batik, and the lack of young artisans. Younger generations often show less interest in learning batik-making skills, and concerns remain regarding the halal status of materials used.

According to Prof. Afidah, contemporary fiqh views preserving local culture like batik as part of maintaining ‘urf (traditions/customs) that are not contradictory to Islamic principles. Therefore, she stressed the importance of integrating cultural heritage with Islamic values in addressing modern challenges.

In closing, Prof. Afidah called for collaboration between scholars, academics, and the public in advancing contemporary fiqh. “Contextual fiqh understanding will better equip Muslims to face the complexities of modern life without losing their cultural roots,” she concluded.

For reference, Prof. Dr. Afidah Wahyuni, M.Ag. is a lecturer at the Faculty of Sharia and Law. As a professor of contemporary fiqh at UIN Jakarta, she holds a doctoral degree from PTIQ Jakarta. Her academic works and research largely focus on Qur’anic interpretation studies, including the book Masail Fiqhiyah.

Watch the full recording of the UIN Jakarta Professorial Inauguration Ceremony on Wednesday (06/07/2025):
📺 https://www.youtube.com/live/yJ8v6TVbN6U?si=QBmXVPzL81zayswN

(Aida Adha S./Fauziah M./Noeni Indah S./Photo: M. Yahya)