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Islamic Locality and the Failure of the Caliphate Idea: The Role of the Da’wa Movement in Indonesian Islam History

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This article argues that the da’wa movements initiated by Islamic mass organizations such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) through the concept of Islamic locality constitute one of the key factors contributing to the failure of the caliphate idea in Indonesia. This locality is characterized by the synthesis of Islamic theology, law, and practice with the sociocultural, political, and historical realities of the Archipelago. Employing a historical–sociological method and document analysis, this article traces how these da’wa movements have embedded a distinctly Indonesian notion of Islamic locality. The findings reveal that through the establishment of socio-educational institutions (schools, hospitals, pesantren), cultural adaptation, and participation in the nation-building project, these Islamic da’wa movements have addressed the social and spiritual needs of Indonesian Muslims within the framework of the nation state. Therefore, the failure of the caliphate idea is not due to a lack of religiosity of Indonesian Muslims, but rather because localized Islamic understanding has rendered the caliphate not only irrelevant but also theologically incongruent with the perspectives of the majority of Indonesian Muslims.

Source: Religions

DOI: 10.3390/rel17030297

Authors: Syamsudin, Ahmad Sarbini, Dindin Solahudin

Institution: Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung

Language: English

Topic: Cultural and Religious Practices in Indonesia

Subfield: Cultural Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172