kekhilafan

Kekhilafan is a term used in Indonesian to describe differences of opinion or disagreements, particularly in contexts of interpretation and judgment. The word derives from Arabic khilaf, meaning disagreement, with Indonesian morphological additions ke- and -an to form a noun.

In Islamic jurisprudence, kekhilafan refers to legitimate differences in deriving rulings from sources such as the Qur’an and Hadith. Such differences often arise among scholars and schools of thought, including the traditional madhahib (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, Hanbali) as well as other methodological approaches. Differences can concern ritual practice, legal rulings, or ethical principles, reflecting diverse evidences, contexts, and interpretive methods.

The existence of kekhilafan is widely recognized as a natural and permissible aspect of ijtihad, rather than a sign of error or division. It is seen as a feature that can expand understanding and accommodate varying circumstances. Some communities emphasize the need for unity on core beliefs while tolerating methodological differences in jurisprudence and practice. The concept is often linked to the spirit of mercy (rahmah) in Islamic thought, which encourages respectful engagement with differing viewpoints.

Mechanisms for navigating kekhilafan include established legal tools such as ijma (consensus), qiyas (analogy), and maqasid al-sharia (the higher objectives of Islamic law). These tools help determine when differences remain permissible and when a particular opinion should be adopted as the guiding ruling. Related concepts include ikhtilaf, fiqh, madhhab, and ijtihad.