Indonesian Journal of Digital Islamic Studies (IJDIS)

Reconfiguring Islamic Authority in the Algorithmic Age through Digital Fatwas and Legitimacy Contestation in Indonesia

2026-05-06T02:57:16+00:00

The rapid growth of digital platforms has significantly reshaped Islamic religious authority in Indonesia, creating new tensions between traditional ulama institutions and digitally influential preachers. Authority is no longer determined solely by scholarly credentials but increasingly by visibility, audience engagement, and platform algorithms. This study examines how Islamic authority is reconfigured through digital fatwas, focusing on the interaction between institutional actors such as the Majelis Ulama Indonesia and emerging online religious figures. Using a qualitative approach that combines digital ethnography and critical discourse analysis, the research analyzes fatwa documents, social media content, and perspectives from religious stakeholders. The findings highlight three key dynamics: the rise of platform-based religious authority shaped by algorithmic visibility; the blending of religious knowledge with performative and media-driven styles; and the emergence of segmented digital audiences that intensify differences in religious interpretation. The study concludes that maintaining credible Islamic authority in the digital era requires a balanced approach that integrates scholarly authenticity with digital accessibility, supported by ethical frameworks that promote unity and protect the integrity of religious discourse.

Artificial Intelligence and Islamic Legal Reasoning Developing an Ethical Framework for AI Governance from Indonesian Usul al Fiqh Perspectives

2026-05-06T03:26:34+00:00

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has generated new debates in Islamic jurisprudence, challenging established approaches to legal reasoning and religious authority while offering potential solutions to contemporary legal issues. The integration of AI into Islamic legal discourse marks a significant shift in how Muslim societies engage with emerging technologies and calls for a clear ethical framework. This study aims to formulate such a framework by examining how Indonesian usul al-fiqh can guide the responsible use of AI in legal reasoning. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyzes classical Islamic legal principles alongside the practices of major Indonesian fatwa institutions, including the Majelis Ulama Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama, and Muhammadiyah. The findings show that principles such as maslahah mursalah, ijtihad jama’i, and sadd al-dhara’i provide a flexible basis for addressing AI-related challenges. At the same time, the study highlights the importance of collaboration between Islamic scholars and technology experts. It concludes that AI should serve as a supportive tool rather than replace human authority, and recommends the development of Shariah-compliant regulatory frameworks that uphold justice, human dignity, and moral responsibility.

Decolonizing Digital Islamic Studies Indonesian Epistemologies and the Reconfiguration of Knowledge in the Global South

2026-05-06T04:17:39+00:00

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed the production and transmission of Islamic knowledge, yet it remains shaped by Western-centric epistemologies that marginalize Global South perspectives. This study examines how Indonesian Islamic educational institutions respond to digital transformation and epistemic decolonization, focusing on the reconfiguration of religious authority and knowledge production. Using a qualitative design that integrates critical discourse analysis and digital ethnography, the research analyzes curricula, institutional policies, and digital da’wah practices in selected pesantren, madrasah, and Islamic universities. The findings identify three key transformations: (1) the emergence of hybrid pedagogical models combining digital tools with classical Islamic scholarship; (2) the reconfiguration of religious authority mediated by social media; and (3) the development of Indonesian-centered epistemological frameworks challenging Western dominance. These results demonstrate that Indonesian Islamic institutions act as active agents in shaping alternative epistemic spaces rather than passive recipients of global digital trends. The study contributes to the decolonization of digital Islamic studies and advances more inclusive knowledge production in the Global South.

Algorithmic Authority and Digital Fatwas Reconfiguring Islamic Knowledge in Southeast Asia and Europe

2026-05-06T04:40:48+00:00

The proliferation of digital platforms has transformed the production, dissemination, and validation of Islamic knowledge, posing new challenges for traditional fatwa institutions in both Muslim-majority and minority contexts. This study examines the comparative dynamics of digital fatwa practices in Southeast Asia and Europe, focusing on how socio-political and institutional contexts shape configurations of religious authority. Using a qualitative analytical-comparative approach, the research analyzes fatwa production and dissemination across key institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and European settings. The findings reveal three main dimensions: (1) regional variations in digital fatwa formats and communication strategies; (2) the influence of institutional capacity, regulatory environments, and platform dynamics on authority; and (3) the emergence of hybrid models integrating classical jurisprudential legitimacy with digital visibility. The study concludes that sustainable digital fatwa governance depends on integrating Islamic ethical frameworks with platform literacy and institutional verification mechanisms. It argues for a reconceptualization of religious authority that accommodates algorithmic mediation while preserving normative foundations, offering strategic insights for fatwa institutions, policymakers, and Muslim communities navigating digital religious life.

Reconfiguring Islamic Authority in the Digital Age Contestation and Legitimacy across ASEAN Muslim Societies

2026-05-06T04:54:04+00:00

Digital transformation has significantly reshaped the structure of Islamic religious authority across ASEAN Muslim societies, raising critical questions about who holds legitimate knowledge and authority in guiding believers. Authority is no longer centered solely on traditional ulama institutions but is increasingly influenced by digital platforms, where visibility and engagement shape religious influence. This study examines how digital mediation reconfigures the production, contestation, and legitimacy of Islamic authority in six ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and the Philippines. Using a qualitative multi-method approach that combines digital ethnography, discourse analysis, and comparative case studies, the research analyzes religious content across platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and messaging groups. The findings identify three key dynamics: the democratization of interpretive authority that weakens traditional hierarchies; the emergence of platform-based authority shaped by algorithmic systems; and the rise of commodified religiosity, where religious expression intersects with economic and digital value. The study concludes that Islamic authority in ASEAN is shifting from hierarchical and text-based legitimacy toward a more networked, performative, and audience-driven model. This transformation calls for collaborative frameworks involving religious institutions, digital actors, and regulators to maintain scholarly rigor and religious integrity in the digital era.