Religion–State Relations in Al-Mawardi’s Perspective: An Analysis of the Concept of Imamah in Al-Ahkam al-Sulthaniyyah

Relasi Agama dan Negara dalam Perspektif Al-Mawardi: Analisis Konsep Imamah dalam Al-Ahkam al-Sulthaniyyah

Abstract

The relationship between religion and the state has long been a central issue in political and legal discourse. In the Indonesian context, Pancasila serves as the foundational ideology that accommodates religious values within the framework of the state, fostering a dynamic interaction between religion and governance. Islam, as a comprehensive religion, provides guidance not only in matters of worship but also in social, political, and legal dimensions. The Qur'an, as the primary source of Islamic teachings, offers universal values that contribute to the well-being of both Muslims and humanity at large. This study aims to examine the role of the state in relation to religion from the perspective of Al-Mawardi. This research employs a library research method by analyzing primary and secondary sources related to Al-Mawardi’s political thought. The findings reveal that, according to Al-Mawardi, religion plays a fundamental role in ensuring the stability and prosperity of the state. The state is obligated to uphold and prioritize religious values as a guiding framework for governance. In his seminal work Al-Ahkam al-Sulthaniyyah, Al-Mawardi emphasizes that the concept of imamah (leadership) functions as an instrument to fulfill the prophetic mission, which includes preserving religion (hifz al-din) and managing worldly affairs (siyasah al-dunya). Thus, the relationship between religion and the state is inherently integrative, where both are interdependent in achieving social order and justice.