LEARNING FROM MUHAMMADIYĀH AND AL-WASHLIYĀH: DEVELOPMENTAL POLITIC OF ISLAMIC CIVIL SOCIETY

Abstract

This study provides an insight of the model and orientation of developmental politics of Islamic civil societies i.e. Muhammadiyāh and Al-Washliyāh. The two societies have demonstrated a different political model. Muhammadiyāh represents a modern Islamic perspective, while Al-Washliyāh intends to a conservative thinking model. The two developmental politics are indeed different in regard with ideological thoughts. The Al-Washliyāh’s political orientations are strongly influenced by the Mażhab (school of thoughts) as the fundamental-ideological reference. Meanwhile, the Muhammadiyāh’s thinking is more progressive with their Islamic modern perspective to the existing condition. The both societies have given a lot of peculiar positive impacts in levelling up the society’s welfare in the city of Medan, such as in education, healthcare and economic sectors. In spite of the enhanced societal developments, the both societies are also actively involved in the political practices, with the primary aim to obtain strategic political posts. Most of political preference is mainly to accommodate the interests of Muslim society as well as Mardhātillāh (worship). It is worth noting that the knowledge of Islamic developmental model is beneficial as an alternative model of developmental politic in devoting to the society’s welfare enhancements.