Indonesian Islam (Asian Studies Association of a)

By M. B. Hooker

Book Description

This scholarly exploration offers a unique window into the living practice of Indonesian Islam through the lens of religious legal reasoning. Professor M. B. Hooker presents a comprehensive study of how Islamic authorities in Indonesia have navigated the complex intersection of traditional faith and modern social realities over seven decades.

Drawing from an extensive collection of nearly 2,000 fatawa, formal religious opinions issued between 1920 and 1990, this work reveals how Indonesian Islamic scholars have addressed fundamental questions that arise when ancient wisdom meets contemporary life. The book examines their responses to issues of religious purity, doctrinal representation, spiritual obligations, women's roles within the faith community, the relationship between Islamic principles and medical advances, and matters concerning religious offenses.

What makes this study particularly valuable is its focus on authentic Islamic reasoning, independent of state influence or Western intellectual frameworks. These religious opinions represent pure expressions of Islamic thought as it grapples with real-world challenges in a specific cultural context.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual traditions adapt and respond to changing times while maintaining their essential character, this book provides profound insights into the dynamic nature of religious practice. It demonstrates how faith communities engage with modernity through careful theological reflection, offering lessons relevant to anyone exploring the relationship between timeless spiritual principles and contemporary living.