IJISH (International Journal of Islamic Studies and Humanities)

Modernization of Al Washliyah Educational Institutions

Dedi Sahputra Napitupulu — 2025-10-31

The potential of an educational institution to effectively respond to quickly evolving circumstances significantly influences its long-term viability. Consequently, the ability for educational institutions to adopt modern practices is critical. Al Washliyah, founded in 1930 in Medan, is one of the most sizable Islamic organizations and is credited with establishing numerous educational institutions. Consequently, the objective of this study is to investigate the effect and contribution of Al Washliyah, with a particular focus on the realm of education. Additionally, it seeks to identify the typology of modernization implemented by Al Washliyah educational institutions and to scrutinize the various facets of modernization undertaken by said institutions. For the purpose of accomplishing this objective, a historical lit review was conducted. The findings of this study indicate that the Al Washliyah educational institution has implemented a revitalization strategy, which entails preserving venerable old traditions while incorporating better-regarded innovations into the realm of educational advancement. The modernization of the Al Washliyah educational institution is evident in its human resources (HR), courses of study, institutions, and objectives.

Islam As Malay Identity: A Historical Perspective with A Special Reference to Lingga-Riau Sultanate

Syamsul Anwar — 2025-10-31

This paper explores Islam as the foundational and enduring element in the formation of Malay cultural identity, with special reference to the Lingga-Riau Sultanate. Employing a historical and interpretive approach, it examines how Islam became deeply intertwined with the political, intellectual, and socio-cultural fabric of the Malay world. The discussion begins with a historical overview of the Lingga-Riau Sultanate (its genealogy, political evolution, and encounters with colonial powers) to contextualize the transformation of Malay society under Islamic influence. The study reveals that Islam not only served as a religious orientation but also as the moral, legal, and philosophical foundation of Malay civilization. It shaped the Malay worldview, governance, and expressions of culture, from court traditions and literary production to everyday ethical conduct. Within the Lingga-Riau Sultanate, Islam played a pivotal role in defining authority, social cohesion, and collective identity. The sultans and the Malay nobility were instrumental in cultivating Islamic literacy, promoting religious scholarship, and integrating Islamic values into governance. Even amid colonial suppression and political fragmentation, Islam continued to function as a unifying and resilient cultural force. The findings suggest that Malay identity, as manifested in Lingga-Riau, cannot be understood apart from Islam, which has long served as its defining marker and cohesive principle, a legacy that continues to inform the consciousness of the Malay world today.

Examining Sufistic Thoughts About “Wasilah in Nur Muhammad” by K.H. Mahmud Hasil

Ajahari — 2025-10-31

Until now, there have been ongoing debates in Sufism, where critics argue it promotes a resigned lifestyle among Muslims, potentially leading to their decline, while supporters view it as a contributor to Islamic civilization and a remedy for modern psychological issues. The primary objective is to explore the local Sufi thoughts of K.H. Mahmud Hasil, focusing on his interpretation of Wasilah in Nur Muhammad in Palangka Raya. The research employs a literature review methodology, analyzing both primary and secondary sources through descriptive and interpretative analyses. Results reveal key aspects of Hasil’s Sufistic teachings, including concepts such as Wasilah, amal hakikat, ma'rifatullah, tazakka (self-cleansing), and pathways to God. Hasil’s teachings emphasize Sufism muhaqqiqīn, suggesting that human perfection and closeness to God are influenced by belief, understanding, and practical engagement within Nur Muhammad. In the view of K.H. Mahmud Hasil that human perfection, perfection of worship and closeness to God depend on the extent of belief, feelings of understanding and believing and amaliyah in Nur Muhammad. The wisdom of spiritual experience from amaliyah in Nur Muhammad is a spiritual dimension that varies from each practitioner. K.H. Mahmud Hasil, in addition to discussing Wasilah in Nur Muhammad at the conceptual level, also explains the kaifiyah (procedures of amaliyah) in practising the concept of wasilah.

Vitalizing Marital Harmony: Rethinking the Dominance of Fiqh in Cultivating Sakinah Relationships in Indonesia

Dhuha Hadiyansyah — 2025-10-31

This paper aims to explain why we need to rethink the fiqh approach in fostering a sakinah marriage. To date, in various discussions about the concept of a sakinah family, both in the community in the form of religious lectures and on various social media platforms, fiqh discourse has dominated. The fiqh discourse that is the focus of this paper is the rights versus obligations of husband and wife, the age of marriage, and the ijbar rights of parents towards their daughters. In response, this study proposes an “Integrative-Mubadalah Fiqh Framework”, a paradigm that bridges the normative dimension of classical fiqh with the relational ethics of mubadalah through the epistemology of knowledge integration. This framework redefines fiqh as a dialogical and ethical discourse that promotes equality, reciprocity, and marital harmony. As a solution, the approach of knowledge integration with the principle of mubadalah or mutuality is urgent to be disseminated as a mainstream discourse in the effort to foster a sakinah marriage. Integration of knowledge in the context of marriage means synthesizing various knowledge, perspectives, data, and experiences to form a more complete picture of the issue. Therefore, one approach , fiqh, for example , cannot be enough, because other fields such as psychology, psychiatry, sociology, philosophy, and law also address the themes of marriage. The principle of mutuality allows the married couple to have an equal voice in decision-making and to share marital and family responsibilities fairly based on their respective capacities. Mutuality in marriage also increases well-being in conjugal relationships, finances, childcare, sexual satisfaction, and relationships with in-laws. Meanwhile, mainstreaming these latest concepts is vital given that marriage is the core of the social system , the failure of marriage will undermine the larger social system.