A Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah Perspective on the Implementation of General Elections in Indonesia
Keywords:
General Election, Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah, Democracy, Public Welfare, Islamic lawAbstract
This study aims to analyze the implementation of general elections (Pemilu) in Indonesia through the lens of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah, seeking to evaluate the extent to which the democratic system aligns with the principles of Islamic law. As a manifestation of popular sovereignty, elections serve as a vital mechanism for establishing legitimate and just governance. However, their compatibility with Islamic teachings has long been a subject of scholarly debate. Employing a normative juridical method with a conceptual approach, this research examines both classical and contemporary Islamic legal discourses, as well as statutory regulations governing elections in Indonesia. The findings reveal that the principles underlying the electoral process reflect the essential objectives of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah: the protection of religion (ḥifẓ al-dīn), life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), intellect (ḥifẓ al-‘aql), progeny (ḥifẓ al-nasl), and wealth (ḥifẓ al-māl). Elections conducted in a direct, general, free, confidential, honest, and fair manner can thus be regarded as a mechanism for achieving public welfare (maṣlaḥah) in harmony with the overarching purposes of the Sharī‘ah—to safeguard justice, social stability, and collective well-being. Therefore, the administration of elections in Indonesia does not contradict Islamic values; rather, it functions as a crucial instrument for realizing social welfare, public trust, and governance grounded in justice and moral integrity.
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