Research Article Review: Challenges of the Digital Revolution in Fatwa Authority in Indonesia

Jakarta, UIN Online - The digital revolution is changing people's lives, including religious communication patterns from traditional communication to internet-based communication that relies on openness and speed. Technology can now be said to be one of the backbones of communication in religion.

The change in communication patterns then forms depersonalization, namely the internet makes the communication patterns of religious people no longer rely on charisma, morals, and knowledge.  However, more than that, social media has undermined the reasoning that relies on personalization and character. 

In addition, the breadth of information channels and social media allows anyone to channel their aspirations and participate in coloring debates in the public sphere.

So what are the challenges for the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), as an institution authorized to issue fatwas in the digital era?

The digital revolution has changed the communication paradigm and authority structure in Indonesia. This includes the issuance of fatwas by MUI. However, behind the glitter of the digital era, there is a big challenge faced by MUI to remain relevant and authoritative in maintaining the legitimacy of fatwas in the midst of changing dynamics.

Reporting from Ahkam Journal, from the Faculty of Shari'ah and Law of UIN Jakarta, the research used Discourse Network Analysis (DNA).  DNA is a text method that is analyzed by considering four aspects, namely the actor, the discourse, the sentiment towards the discourse, and the period when the discourse was produced.

In an article entitled Language, Authority and Digital Media: The Impact on the Legitimacy of Fatwas written by Ahmad Suaedy, Fariz Alnizar, Juri Ardiantoro, and Said Aqil Siroj, it reveals that there is a phenomenon of debureaucratization in fatwa making and depersonalization in religious authorities.

Debureaucratization in Fatwa Making

The journal article revealed that the first challenge is the debureaucratization of fatwa making, which is marked by the increasing number of national-scale issues that become the topic and subject of MUI regional fatwa. This trend is a proof that the bureaucratic tradition adopted by the Central MUI is now threatened.

MUI regions are now more active in deciding national issues.  This symptom is shown by one of the spread of online fatwa sites that contain questions and answers between mufti (the party who gives fatwa by means of ijtihad) and mustafti (the party who asks for fatwa).

Meanwhile, in the Guidelines for Fatwa Stipulation issued by MUI (2012), the clause of fatwa stipulation is bureaucratic in nature. There is a rule that the central MUI is authorized to decide national or regional problems that have the potential to spread to other regions. This means that it shows a shift from the bureaucratic tradition adopted by the Central MUI.

In 2018, some decisions (fatwa) of regional MUI began to respond to national scale problems, for example on the issue of the recommendation of government officials who are Muslims not to say greetings from other religions.

This opens up opportunities for stronger local dynamics but also raises questions about the consistency and uniformity of fatwas across Indonesia.

Depersonalization of Religious Authority

In addition to debureaucratization, the second challenge comes in the form of depersonalization of religious authority. Depersonalization is the questioning of established religious authorities and turning to new preachers who provide entertainment-style preaching. 

In the social media era, depersonalization is marked by the rise of “celebrity ustaz” or clerics who often issue fatwas using their charisma to gain popularity through social media and other online platforms.

Celebrity clerics have emerged as more popular than traditional religious figures. Digital da'wah has facilitated the birth of new ustaz who combine entertainment with religious messages with their charisma, ultimately scientific transmission is no longer a big issue in digital da'wah. The ability and scientific competence of the preacher is also not a significant problem. 

It is a reflection on traditional clerical figures who have the knowledge, expertise and credibility of established religious principles to be able to adjust themselves to be more prominent in this new dynamic without sacrificing their integrity and authority.

Facing Challenges with Innovation

The concepts of debureaucratization and depersonalization represent significant impacts of the digital revolution. Religious institutions and authorities, particularly in fatwa-making, face the challenge of responding to both changes.

In an effort to answer these challenges, the journal explains that MUI needs to respond with an appropriate and measured approach.   Digital preaching has expanded access to information, but efforts to maintain the authority and legitimacy of fatwas require innovation in communication strategies and institutional strengthening. 

One proposal is the establishment of a Fatwa Commission that is more responsive to local dynamics but still integrated with the Central MUI to maintain consistency and uniformity of fatwas at the national level.  

The digital revolution brings unavoidable challenges to traditional religious authorities such as MUI. However, with an open attitude towards innovation and proper adaptation, MUI can remain an important pillar in maintaining the integrity and sustainability of religious teachings in Indonesia.

(Aliffia Hafiizhah/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi)

Journal Article Source: 

Research Title: Language, Authority, and Digital Media: The Impact on the Legitimacy of Fatwas.

Journal Publication: Ahkam: Journal of Sharia Science

Authors : Ahmad Suaedy, Fariz Alnizar, Juri Ardiantoro, Said Aqil Siroj.

Article link : https://journal.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/ahkam/article/view/28875

**Research Article Review is a review of research journal articles written by lecturers at UIN Jakarta that discuss current issues close to the community as recommendations or case studies on social phenomena. 

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