Religious Tradition:Between Intrepretation and Text Innovation

Abstract

The discussionsof Islam which linked with tradition and/or Islam and culture havebeen conducted since early 19thcentury. Such discussions havedrained the energy of Muslim intellectuals due to its vast scope which ranges from humanities, sciences, literature, and arts. The discussions become more interesting when they suggestthe results of interaction among Islam, Malaytradition, and culture as aMalayIslamic heritage called as Islam Nusantara (Islam of the archipelago). In addition, in its subsequent development modern version of Islam Nusantaraturns to be an ideal ‘alternative’ version for modern Muslim intellectuals. Besides having Malaycharacteristics, Islam Nusantaramight have a role in preserving the Nusantaraidentity and existentialism, an effectively proven way to maintain social stability in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnics, and multi-faiths country like Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia. However, this stable social condition might be difficult to be maintained forever. There are acts of resistance from some groups of Islamic purists that bring forth ajargon to return to the culture and tradition which practiced by Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his sahabah(earlier companions of Prophet Muhammad). Thus, finding a ‘correct’ mechanism and understanding toward tradition and culture in the regulation of purist view of Islam or original Islam is a rationalization project of Islam Nusantarawhich can be considered as authentic Islam despite its contemporary package and term. A deep understanding of Islam Nusantarais not only intendedto return to a classic heritage of Islam Nusantara but also as a way to explore positive ideological attitudes in order to defy colonialism and underdevelopment.