Religious Moderation, Pela Gandong and Jihad Reconstruction: Conflict Prevention in Maluku from the Perspective of Maqāṣid Al-Sharī'ah

Abstract

This study discusses religious moderation, the role of jihad reconstruction to prevent conflict in Maluku. Conflict prevention has been proven to be possible by providing a moderate understanding of religion, using cultural mechanisms such as pela gandong. The research used an empirical method explained by the theory of maqāṣid al-sharī'ah. By relying on in-depth interviews and literature studies, data were collected to maintain data validity. The informants interviewed were people who felt the conflict, community leaders, religious leaders, academics and women's figures. The results of the study showed that the course of the conflict in Maluku was initially caused by economic imbalance factors that influenced social, political and religious impacts. On the other hand, the Maluku community during the conflict was understood as a war, which influenced group factors from outside Maluku. It can be emphasized that conflict prevention in Ambon can be done by reconstructing the understanding of jihad in a positive direction, campaigning for religious moderation and revitalizing culture through pela gandong. Pela gandong is a tradition that can strengthen social ties that emphasize commitment to mutual respect, cooperation, and maintaining good relations between the two groups of people, so that reconciliation and peace development efforts can be maintained. In the context of maqāṣid al-sharī'ah that the purpose of Islamic law is to provide great and broad benefits to humans, then the use of culture and the correct meaning of jihad is a necessity. Thus, in the context of Islamic law, understanding jihad contextually will provide a more beneficial meaning, rather than interpreting it textually. Creating peace and harmony and avoiding conflict in society is one of the main goals of Islamic law.