The Historicity and Educational Role of Muhammadiyah: A Qualitative Study of a Modernist Islamic Organization in Indonesia

Lamin K. Drammeh, Nazaruddin Malik, Driana Leniwati

Abstract


This study examines the historical and educational role of Muhammadiyah, founded by Ahmad Dahlan in 1912 in Yogyakarta as a modernist Islamic movement inspired by Muhammad Abduh and Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. The research aims to analyze Muhammadiyah’s ideological foundations, institutional development, and contributions to education and social reform. Using a qualitative descriptive and interpretive design, secondary sources were analyzed through content analysis to trace their evolution. The findings reveal that Muhammadiyah integrates religious purification with rationalist theology and progressive education, establishing schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and community services. Its transition from strict puritanism to embracing pluralism, democracy, and human rights has enabled it to maintain relevance in contemporary Indonesia. This was achieved by harmonizing Qur’an–Sunnah-based principles with modern sciences and civic engagement. The study concludes that Muhammadiyah exemplifies Islamic modernism, demonstrating how educational empowerment and social responsibility can strengthen religious identity while advancing national development.

Keywords


Civil society; Indonesian Islam; Islamic reform; Modernism; Organizational adaptation

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijomr.v5i2.89054

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