Negotiating Secularism: Daoed Joesoef’s Intellectual Mediation between Islamic Ethics and State Rationality in the Post-Colonial Context of Indonesia

Authors

  • Muhammad Iqbal Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
  • Danang Respati Puguh Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
  • Endah Sri Hartatik Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30983/it.v10i1.11015

Keywords:

Islam, Secularism, Daoed Joesoef, Rational Statecraft, Postcolonial Modernity

Abstract

Abstract This article examines how Daoed Joesoef mediated Islamic ethics and state rationality in postcolonial Indonesia. Using qualitative-interpretative intellectual history, it analyzes eight works through close reading, contextual reconstruction, and comparative interpretation. Findings show that Joesoef did not treat secularism as an exclusion of religion. He reframed it as ethical rationality that protects pluralism and prevents confessional capture while keeping state power morally accountable. Islam functions as a source of civic virtue—justice, trust, adab, responsibility, and service—rather than a juridical-state ideology. Joesoef translated these principles into educational statecraft through literacy, character formation, and institutional discipline. The article terms this synthesis "Islamic Rational Statecraft," demonstrating how an Indonesian Muslim intellectual transformed secularism into a contextual grammar of moral governance beyond the secular-state/Islamic-state binary.   Abstract Artikel ini mengkaji mediasi Daoed Joesoef antara etika Islam dan rasionalitas negara dalam Indonesia pascakolonial. Dengan pendekatan kualitatif-interpretatif sejarah intelektual, kajian menganalisis delapan karya melalui pembacaan dekat, rekonstruksi konteks, dan interpretasi komparatif. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa Joesoef tidak memaknai sekularisme sebagai pengusiran agama, melainkan rasionalitas etis yang melindungi kemajemukan, mencegah dominasi konfesional, dan menjaga akuntabilitas moral negara. Islam berfungsi sebagai sumber kebajikan kewargaan—keadilan, amanah, adab, tanggung jawab, dan pelayanan—bukan ideologi negara yang legalistik. Prinsip tersebut diterjemahkan ke dalam statecraft pendidikan melalui literasi, pembentukan karakter, dan disiplin kelembagaan. Artikel menyebut sintesis ini Islamic Rational Statecraft, sebuah tata bahasa kontekstual bagi pemerintahan bermoral di luar dikotomi negara sekuler dan negara Islam.

References

Abdurrohim, Mohammad Sholeh, Ahmad Zakki Fuad, and Achmad Zaini. “Paradigm of Educational Modernization: Nurcholish Madjid's Perspective and Relevance to the Merdeka Belajar Concept.” ATTARBIYAH: Journal of Islamic Culture and Education 9, no. 1 (2024): 29–41.

Afrianty, Dina. “Rising Public Piety and the Status of Women in Indonesia Two Decades after Reformasi.” TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia 8, no. 1 (2020): 65–80.

al-Attas, Syed Muhammad Naquib. Islam and Secularism. Kuala Lumpur: International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 1993.

Aljunied, Khairudin. “Bringing Rationality Back: Harun Nasution and the Burden of Muslim Thought in Twentieth-Century Southeast Asia.” Journal of Islamic and Muslim Studies 6, no. 1 (2021): 29–55.

Apriansyah, Andika, Abdur Razzaq, and Alimron. “Urgensi Adab Dalam Menuntut Ilmu: Pemikiran Naquib Al-Attas.” Jurnal Genta Mulia 15, no. 2 (2024): 92–98.

Arifianto, Alexander R. “Rising Islamism and the Struggle for Islamic Authority in Post-Reformasi Indonesia.” TRaNS: Trans-Regional and Transnational Studies of Southeast Asia 8, no. 1 (2020): 37–50.

Arifin, Syamsul, Syafiq A Mughni, and Moh Nurhakim. “The Idea of Progress: Meaning and Implications of Islam Berkemajuan in Muhammadiyah.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 60, no. 2 (2022): 547–584.

Asad, Talal. Formations of the Secular: Christianity, Islam, Modernity. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2003.

Aspinall, Edward, Diego Fossati, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, and Eve Warburton. “Elites, Masses, and Democratic Decline in Indonesia.” Democratization 27, no. 4 (2020): 505–526.

Bachtiar, Hasnan. “Dar Al-’Ahd Wa Al-Shahadah: Muhammadiyah’s Position and Thoughts on Negara Pancasila.” Studia Islamika 27, no. 3 (2020): 485–513.

Badrun, Badrun, Sujadi Sujadi, Idi Warsah, Imron Muttaqin, and Ruly Morganna. “Pancasila, Islam, and Harmonizing Socio-Cultural Conflict in Indonesia.” Edited by Nahdlatul Wathan. Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 61, no. 1 (2023): 137–156.

Bagir, Zainal Abidin, Suhadi Asfinawati, and Renata Arianingtyas. “Limitations to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Indonesia: Norms and Practices.” Religion & Human Rights 15, no. 1–2 (2020): 39–56.

Barton, Greg, Ihsan Yilmaz, and Nicholas Morieson. “Authoritarianism, Democracy, Islamic Movements, and Contestations of Islamic Religious Ideas in Indonesia.” Religions 12, no. 8 (2021): 641.

Budiatri, Aisah Putri. “Dynamic Tolerance: Tolerance within Nahdlatul Ulama and Nahdliyin in Indonesia.” TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia 13, no. 2 (2025): 247–263.

Chaplin, Chris. “Communal Salafi Learning and Islamic Selfhood: Examining Religious Boundaries through Ethnographic Encounters in Indonesia.” Ethnography 21, no. 1 (2020): 113–132.

Dian, Imas Masripah, Dela Purwandani, Deagi Nur Mohamad Maliki, and Fadhilah Anggraini Pane. “Nurcholish Madjid’s Perspective About Thought of Religious Pluralism.” Edited by Nurcholish Madjid, Karya Lengkap Nurcholish Madjid, Keindonesiaan Keislaman, Kemodernan, and Budhy Munawar-Rachman. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 3, no. 2 (2022): 139–148.

Efendi, David, Nanang Indra Kurniawan, and Purwo Santoso. “From Fiqh to Political Advocacy: Muhammadiyah’s Ecological Movement in the Post New Order Indonesia.” Studia Islamika 28, no. 2 (2021): 349–383.

Faisal, Ahmad, Mustaqim Pabbajah, Irwan Abdullah, Nova Effenty Muhammad, and Muh Rusli. “Strengthening Religious Moderatism through the Traditional Authority of Kiai in Indonesia.” Cogent Social Sciences 8, no. 1 (2022): 2150450.

Hasyim, Syafiq. “Fatwas and Democracy: Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI, Indonesian Ulema Council) and Rising Conservatism in Indonesian Islam.” TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia 8, no. 1 (2020): 21–35.

Hefner, Robert W. “Islam and Covenantal Pluralism in Indonesia: A Critical Juncture Analysis.” The Review of Faith & International Affairs 18, no. 2 (2020): 1–17.

Hefner, Robert W. “Islam and Institutional Religious Freedom in Indonesia.” Religions 12, no. 6 (2021): 415.

Hilmy, Masdar, and Khoirun Niam. “Winning the Battle of Authorities: The Muslim Disputes over the Covid-19 Pandemic Plague in Contemporary Indonesia.” QIJIS: Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies 8, no. 2 (2020): 293–326.

Jackson, Sherman A. The Islamic Secular. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024.

Jahroni, Jajang. “Saudi Arabia Charity and the Institutionalization of Indonesian Salafism.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 58, no. 1 (2020): 35–62.

Jailani, M, and Suyadi. “The Impact of Neuroscience-Based Modern Islamic Education on the Aspect of Creative Imagination and Development of Religious Moderation on Madura Island.” Islam Transformatif: Journal of Islamic Studies 6, no. 2 (2023): 157–172.

Jamhari and Saifudin Asrori. “The Making of Salafi-Based Islamic Schools in Indonesia.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 60, no. 1 (2022): 227–264.

Jati, Wasisto Raharjo. “Critical Analysis of Islamic Populism: Insights from Indonesian Perspectives.” Journal of Indonesian Islam 18, no. 1 (2024): 27–48.

Jati, Wasisto Raharjo. “Polarization of Indonesian Society during 2014-2020: Causes and Its Impacts toward Democracy.” Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Ilmu Politik 26, no. 2 (2022): 152–167.

Jati, Wasisto Raharjo. “The Religious Moderation for Indonesia's Muslim Middle Class: Challenges & Solutions.” Penamas 36, no. 1 (2023): 18–34.

Jati, Wasisto Raharjo, and Hasnan Bachtiar. “Redefining Religious Moderation Education for Urban Muslim Youth.” EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan 22, no. 1 (2024): 153–166.

Jati, Wasisto Raharjo, Syamsurijal Halimatusa’diah, Gutomo Bayu Aji, Muhammad Nurkhoiron, and Riwanto Tirtosudarmo. “From Intellectual to Advocacy Movement: Islamic Moderation, the Conservatives, and the Shift of the Interfaith Dialogue Campaign in Indonesia.” Ulumuna 26, no. 2 (2022): 472–99.

Jati, Wasisto, Halimatusa’diah Syamsurijal, Gutomo Aji, and Ihsan Yilmaz. “Reevaluating Approaches to Religious Moderation at the Grassroots Level: The Role of Muslim Youth in Advancing Interfaith Dialogue.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 62, no. 1 (2024): 185–213.

Jayana, Thoriq Aziz, and Siswanto Siswanto. “Penjabaran Nilai-Nilai Pluralisme Perspektif Nurcholish Madjid Dalam Konteks Pendidikan Islam Multikultural.” Tarbawiyah: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan 6, no. 1 (2022): 1–15.

Joesoef, Daoed. Bacalah. Jakarta: Aries Lima, 1984.

Joesoef, Daoed. Bangunlah Jiwanya, Bangunlah Badannya: Buah-Buah Refleksi Daoed Joesoef Untuk Membumikan Pembangunan Nasional. Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2018.

Joesoef, Daoed. Budaya Baca. Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2004.

Joesoef, Daoed. Dia Dan Aku: Memoar Pencari Kebenaran. Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2006.

Joesoef, Daoed. Emak: Penuntunku Dari Kampung Darat Sampai Sorbonne. Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2010.

Joesoef, Daoed. Isra’ Dan Mi’raj Serta Pesan-Pesan Ilahiah. Jakarta: Aries Lima, 1991.

Joesoef, Daoed. Pikiran Dan Gagasan Daoed Joesoef: 10 Wacana Tentang Aneka Masalah Kehidupan Bersama. Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2011.

Joesoef, Daoed. Rekam Jejak Anak Tiga Zaman. Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, 2017.

Kusuma, Jamaludin Hadi, and Sulistiyono Susilo. “Intercultural and Religious Sensitivity among Young Indonesian Interfaith Groups.” Religions 11, no. 1 (2020): 26.

Lahaji and Ahmad Faisal. “‘Caliphate No in Indonesia’: Nurcholish Madjid and Yudian Wahyudi's Critiques toward Islamic State Discourse in Indonesian Islam.” Cogent Social Sciences 9, no. 2 (2023): 2278207.

Lidyaningsih, Windy, and Muh Hanif. “Nurcholish Madjid’s Ideas on Renewal of Islamic Education in Indonesia.” Indonesian Journal of Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies 6, no. 2 (2024): 223–241.

Lukens-Bull, Ronald A.; and Al Makin. “Paradoxical Pluralism: Training Militants for Tolerance in an Indonesian Youth Movement.” Studia Islamika 32, no. 2 (2025): 211–239.

Madjid, Nurcholish. Karya Lengkap Nurcholish Madjid: Keislaman, Keindonesiaan, Dan Kemodernan. Edited by Budhy Munawar-Rachman. Jakarta: Nurcholish Madjid Society, 2019.

Muchtarom, Moh, and Abu Zarrin Selamat. “Civic Values: Thematic Studies on Citizenship in Islam.” Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan 20, no. 1 (2023): 135–144.

Musa, Ahmad Farouk, and Piet Hizbullah Khaidir. “The Philosophical Sufism of Harun Nasution: A Phenomenological-Historical Investigation of the Influence of Neo-Mu’tazilism.” Intellectual Discourse 31, no. 2 (2023): 325–344.

Musawar and Gatot Suhirman. “Khilafah in the View of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, and Nahdlatul Wathan (NW) Ulema in Lombok.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 59, no. 2 (2021): 317–346.

Musyarrofah, Umi, and Zulhannan. “Religious Moderation in the Discourse of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Dakwah in the Era of Industry 4.0.” Millah: Journal of Religious Studies 22, no. 2 (2023): 409–434.

Nafis, Andi Ahmad Zahri, Barsihannor Barsihannor, and Indo Santalia. “Pluralism Theology of Nurcholis Madjid.” AL-MUTSLA 5, no. 1 (2023): 54–71.

Nasution, Harun. Islam Rasional: Gagasan Dan Pemikiran. Bandung: Mizan, 1995.

Nurjali, Ahmad, and Undang Ruslan W. “Konsep Adab Menurut Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.” Al-Ulum Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Penelitian Keislaman 11, no. 1 (2024): 43–57.

Pektas, Serafettin. “A Comparative Analysis of Three Sunni Muslim Organizations on Moderate and Radical Islam in Egypt, Morocco and Indonesia.” Religion 51, no. 2 (2021): 190–213.

Puspitasari, Eka, and Anaas Tri Ridlo Dina Yuliana. “Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas’ Concept of Islamizing Science and Its Relevance to Islamic Education.” Al-Misbah (Jurnal Islamic Studies 10, no. 2 (2022): 91–108.

Putra, Purniadi, Mawazi Mawazi, and Hifza Hifza. “Analysis of Adab Education According to Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.” International Research-Based Education Journal 5, no. 1 (2023): 140–148.

Ridho, Muhammad Rasyid, and Maragustam Siregar. “Pemikiran Harun Nasution Dan Relevansinya Dengan Dunia Pendidikan Islam Kontemporer.” Tafaqquh: Jurnal Penelitian Dan Kajian Keislaman 13, no. 1 (2025): 164–177.

Riwanto, Abiyyu, and Iin Nur Zulaili. “Kebijakan Pendidikan Sekuler Era Menteri Pendidikan Daoed Joesoef 1978-1983.” Qurthuba: The Journal of History and Islamic Civilization 6, no. 2 (2022): 66–84.

Rosidi, Imron. “Harun Nasution’s Influence on Shaping Muslim Intellectual’s Development in Indonesia.” Contemporary Islam 17, no. 3 (2023): 391–409.

Shorfana, Muhammad Rizky. “Epistemologi Islam Rasional Harun Nasution Sebagai Pintu Awal Masuknya Filsafat Islam Di Indonesia.” Al Hikmah: Jurnal Tarbiyah Dan Ilmu Keguruan 5, no. 2 (2025): 44–56.

Sirry, Mun’im. “Muslim Student Radicalism and Self-Deradicalization in Indonesia.” Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations 31, no. 2 (2020): 241–260.

Solihat, Amalia, Abdul Syukur, and Kurniawati. “Kebijakan Kontroversial Menteri Daoed Joesoef 1978-1983: Perubahan Tahun Ajaran Dan Libur Bulan Ramadhan.” Jurnal Pendidikan Sejarah 9, no. 1 (2020): 55–73.

Syafa’ati, Sri, and Hidayatul Muamanah. “Konsep Pendidikan Menurut Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas Dan Relevansinya Dengan Sistem Pendidikan Nasional.” PALAPA: Jurnal Studi Keislaman Dan Ilmu Pendidikan 8, no. 2 (2020): 285–301.

Ulya, Vita Fitriatul, M. Yunus Abu Bakar, and Ali Masud. “Reinterpreting Nurcholish Madjid’s Theories of Secularization: Reapplying These Theories to Indonesia’s Contemporary Islamic Education Curriculum.” Edukasi Islami: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 14, no. 3 (2025): 609–626.

Wahyono, Sugeng Bayu, Asri Budiningsih, Suyantiningsih, and Sisca Rahmadonna. “Multicultural Education and Religious Tolerance: Elementary School Teachers’ Understanding of Multicultural Education in Yogyakarta.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 60, no. 2 (2022): 467–508.

Widian, Rizky, Putu Agung Nara Indra Prima Satya, and Sylvia Yazid. “Religion in Indonesia’s Elections: An Implementation of a Populist Strategy?” Politics and Religion 16, no. 2 (2023): 351–373.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Iqbal, M., Puguh, D. R., & Hartatik, E. S. (2026). Negotiating Secularism: Daoed Joesoef’s Intellectual Mediation between Islamic Ethics and State Rationality in the Post-Colonial Context of Indonesia. Islam Transformatif : Journal of Islamic Studies, 10(1), 112–126. https://doi.org/10.30983/it.v10i1.11015

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): January-June 2026

Section

Articles

Citation Check

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Iqbal, Dhanang Respati Puguh, Endah Sri Hartatik

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).