The course Islam and the State examines the complex and dynamic relationship between religion and political authority in Muslim societies. It explores how Islamic teachings, historical experiences, and contemporary realities shape the ways Muslims understand governance, law, and citizenship. Students will study classical Islamic political thought, including concepts such as khilafah (caliphate), shura (consultation), adl (justice), and maslahah (public interest), alongside modern interpretations that respond to democracy, nationalism, secularism, and human rights.
This course also investigates how Muslim-majority countries have developed diverse models of statehood—from the theocratic and monarchic to the democratic and constitutional—reflecting the variety of ways Islam interacts with political structures and cultural contexts. Special attention will be given to Indonesia’s experience as a plural nation that seeks to harmonize Islamic values with the principles of Pancasila and constitutional democracy, particularly through the Muhammadiyah concept of Dar al-‘Ahd wa al-Shahadah (a nation of covenant and witness).
By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze the theological, ethical, and sociopolitical dimensions of Islam-state relations, appreciate the historical evolution of Islamic governance, and articulate informed perspectives on how Islamic values can contribute to just, inclusive, and accountable political systems in the modern world.