Religious Authority and Cultural Governance in Islamic Public Law: A Fiqh Siyasah Study of Music Concert Regulation in Aceh

Authors

  • Sutrisno Sutrisno UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta
  • Shofiatun Nikmah Universitas PTIQ Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Risma Hikmawati Universitas PTIQ Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Aty Munshihah Universitas PTIQ Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Wahid Syafruddin Universitas PTIQ Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18592/sjhp.v25i2.19925

Keywords:

Fiqh Siyasah, Aceh Ulama Consultative Council, Music Concerts, Public Policy, Islamic Law

Abstract

The prohibition of music concerts in Aceh has consistently been justified by Fatwa of the Aceh Ulama Consultative Council (MPU) No. 12 of 2013 on Arts, Culture, and Other Forms of Entertainment from the Perspective of Islamic Law, a stance that has generated prolonged controversy between religious authority and contemporary cultural dynamics. This phenomenon reflects an enduring tension between the implementation of Islamic law in the public sphere and the protection of artistic freedom of expression, while simultaneously raising critical questions regarding the legitimacy and institutional mechanisms through which religious fatwas are transformed into legally binding public policies in Aceh. This study examines the fiqh siyasah foundations underpinning the construction of the MPU Aceh Fatwa and evaluates the governance implications of enforcing music concert bans within Aceh’s political-administrative framework. Employing a juridical-normative and descriptive-analytical approach, the research analyzes primary legal sources, including MPU Aceh Fatwa No. 12/2013 and official circular letters prohibiting music concerts, alongside classical and contemporary fiqh siyasah literature. The findings indicate that the MPU Aceh Fatwa is grounded in the concept of siyasah shar‘iyyah, particularly through the application of maslahah mursalah. However, when translated into public policy, such fatwas encounter persistent challenges related to democratic legitimacy and implementation effectiveness. A fundamental ambiguity emerges between the moral-religious authority of fatwas and the binding force of positive law. This study underscores the urgent need for harmonization between religious authority and deliberative democratic mechanisms in the formulation of sharia-based public policies. It further recommends the enactment of a specific qanun regulating criteria for Islamic arts and culture through inclusive and transparent public participation, as well as the institutionalization of robust public consultation mechanisms for fatwas with direct policy implications.

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2025-12-29