Controversial Fatwas from Indonesian Ulema Council: A Study of the Legal Sociology Perspective

Abstract

Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) as a fatwa provider in Indonesia has produced many fatwas, and not all fatwas can be received by the public, some fatwas such as celebrating Christmas together, SMS with prizes, and abstentions. This research is sourced from MUI fatwas which are considered controversial. The results of the study indicate that there are various factors that cause controversial MUI fatwas in the community. First, in the input process, there were several cases that generated controversy in the community before being issued a fatwa. Second, the performance process of legal discovery in the MUI institution itself, which has various opinions from scholars, so controversy becomes something that is unavoidable. Third, in the output process, several MUI fatwas invited controversy due to the low level of socialization and public acceptance of MUI.