The Majlis Tarjih Muhammadiyah at The Time of Dutch Colonialism, 1927-1942 : A Studi for In telectual History

By Ummi Kulsum, T. H. Ibrahim Alfian, H. Ahmad Adaby Darban

HUMANIKA Berkala Penelitian Pascasarjana Ilmu-Ilmu Humaniora UGM, Vol 19, No 3 (2006)

Abstract

This thesis is studying the religious, social and cultural thoughts engendered by Majlis Tarjih Muhammadiyah. The institution is a board consists of a group of Islamic scholars who discuss and analyze the various conceptions and thoughts and decide on the most valid and in accordance with Quran and Hadis. The institution was established in 1927, when Muhammadiyah has grown into a big and widely spread organization in Indonesia. The Majlis Tarjih establishment was considered to be a strategic move in carrying out Muhammadiyah's endeavor, particularly in purifying the ritual practices from any form of heresy and divergence, and fostering religious revivalism in the whole aspect of live of the Muslim society. Since its naissance until the end of colonial government, Majlis Tarjih has produced many pronouncement, where it become the official references for the member of Muhammadiyah until this day.

The thesis aims to answer several questions; first, why Muhammadiyah found Majlis Tarjih as a vehicle to carry out religious purification. Second, how is the development of Majlis Tarjih in the era of colonialism until this day, and third, what fatwa and pronouncements produced by Majlis Tarjih and how they affect the Muhammadiyah's movement?

The method of this research is a historical method, with the following procedure: first, the collection of heuristic data on the Muhammadiyah and Majlis Tarjih early development. The next stage is sorting the data to find the most relevant and reliable data by employing source critic technique, then they were summarized and analyzed. The interpretation method on the data selected was using the hermeneutic approach. Finally, the study results a historiography explanation on the research's object, where it chronologically systemized based on the main theme of issues.

Based on the research, it could be concluded that viewed from its structure, Majlis Tarjih has a function in developing and disseminating Muhammadiyah's religious thought. Majlis Tarjih roles are developing Muhammadiyah's mission movement in the attempts of purifying religious thoughts and ritual, by putting the Quran and Hadis as a main reference. Despite this, Majlis Tarjih is also put forward new interpretation to quran and hadis by promoting ijtihad method in solving the current social problem.

In the colonial era, Majlis Tarjih discussion is always held in Muhammadiyah congress. In that time, Majlis Tarjih has successfully producing many pronouncements and religious thought in overcoming differences (khilafiah) of ritual practices. Ijtihad method was employed to solve the problems of muamalah, covering the social, economic, and political issues. The entire Majlis Tarjih product in the early period has a significant contribution to the religious and social lives of the Muhammadiyah community in particular, and Indonesia in general. The effects of Majlis Tarjih' pronouncements have become an ethical foundation in supporting the spirit of struggle of Indonesia society by performing ijtihad and tajdid. Finally, Majlis Tarjih is expected to continue giving contribution in the enduring social change in the future.

Keywords : Islam-Muhammadiyah-Tajdid-Majlis Tarjih