Ahl Al-halli Wa Al-‘aqdi “Antara Demokrasi Dan Syûrâ”

Abstract

This article examines the concept of ahlulhalliwalaqdi as it is adopted by Nahdlatul Ulama. One of the remaining debates about Islam and politics is concerned with the form and system of politics in Islam. In the Muslim traditionalist circle, this debate centers at democracy or shura as a means of succession. Does NU prefer shura to democracy or vice versa? This is a normative-critical study that explores Muslim scholars' thoughts both early or medieval and contemporary ones about shura and democracy and analyzes how this shapes NU's political thought on politics of succession. This study shows that the idea of ahlihalliwalaqdi (AHWA) is combination of shura and democracy. There is nothing wrong with democracy or shura but they need to be combined so to mediate tension between classical and modern concepts. Members of AHWA, who will select top leaders, must be competent and qualified persons that represent all components and segment within the community or organization so they will be able to single out capable and acceptable leaders