Istihsan in Determination of the Lunar Month: Jurisprudential Flexibility for Harmonizing the Ummah
Abstract
This article examines the role of Istihsan as a method of Islamic jurisprudential flexibility in determining Islamic law, particularly regarding the beginning of the lunar month, and reviews the positions of the four prominent schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali, and Shafi'i) toward its application. Istihsan, which etymologically means "considering something better," remains a debated method of ijtihad among Islamic jurisprudence scholars (ushuliyyin), although still practically utilized. This study aims to explore how Istihsan functions as a jurisprudential catalyst in the application of astronomical science (Ilmu Falak), especially concerning the determination of lunar months, offering potential solutions for harmonizing differences among the Muslim community. Employing descriptive qualitative methods, the study uses primary sources from fiqh documentation related to Istihsan and astronomy, supplemented by secondary literature. The findings indicate that the Hanafi, Maliki, and some Hanbali scholars accept Istihsan with varying definitions and practical implementations. In contrast, the Shafi'i school rejects Istihsan, considering it as a form of subjective ijtihad lacking strong scriptural justification. Nevertheless, Istihsan serves as a foundation for jurisprudential flexibility, enabling Islamic law to effectively respond to contemporary challenges. Specifically, Istihsan acts as a bridge between the hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyat (direct lunar observation) methods. It provides adaptive and maslahah-oriented solutions, such as prioritizing hisab in cases of doubtful rukyat, or vice versa, prioritizing rukyat to maintain unity within the community. Practically, Istihsan is exemplified through the Indonesian government's isbat sessions, which require integrated collaboration among scholars, astronomers, and government institutions, always maintaining compliance with definitive (qath'i) texts and public welfare (maslahah mursalah).
Keywords:
Istihsan, Lunar Month Determination, Islamic Law, Jurisprudential Flexibility, Astronomy (Ilmu Falak)References
An-Najmi, M. M. (2019). Istihsan dalam Pandangan Madzhab Imam Hanafi dan Imam Syafi`I dan penerapannya. Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim.
Buḫārī, M. I.-I. al-, & Khan, M. M. (1997). The translation of the meanings of Sahîh Al-Bukhâri: Arabic-English. Darussalam.
Bukhori, M. K. (2020). Pemikiran Thomas Djamaluddin tentang Kriteria Visibilitas Hilal terbaru Perspektif Fiqih Astronomi. Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo, Semarang.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications.
Darwati H, D. H. (2011). Istihsan dan Pembaruan Hukum Islam. Jurnal Ushuluddin: Media Dialog Pemikiran Islam, 15(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.24252/jumdpi.v15i1.4797
Hanafi, D. (2015). Istihsan dan Pembaharuan Hukum Islam. Tahdis: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Al-Hadis, 6(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.24252/tahdis.v6i2.7172
Hasan, B. (2015). Penolakan Imam Syafi’i Terhadap Istihsan Sebagai Salah Satu Metode Istinbath Hukum Islam. Al-Risalah: Forum Kajian Hukum Dan Sosial Kemasyarakatan, 15(01), Article 01. https://doi.org/10.30631/alrisalah.v15i01.379
Hassan, W. Z. W., Alias, J., & Muslim, N. (2023). Imam Al-Shafi’i’s Standing On The Use Of Reason Through Al-Qiyas And Al-Istihsan In The Determination Of Law. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(11), 534–545.
Iman RN, B. (2016). Penetapan Awal Bulan Qamariyah Perspektif Fiqh. DIKTUM: Jurnal Syariah Dan Hukum, 14(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.35905/diktum.v14i1.220
Khazim, M. (2009). 99 Tanya Jawab Masalah Hisab dan Rukyat. Ramadhan Press.
Mahdi, I. (2016). Analisis terhadap Kriteria Visibilitas Hilal Rukyatul Hilal Indonesia (RHI). Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo, Semarang.
Manan, A. (2007). Reformasi Hukum Islam di Indonesia. Raja Grafindo.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2013). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. SAGE Publications.
Nabilah, W., Warman, A. B., & Octavia, N. ’Aini. (2021). ISTIHSAN DALAM LITERATUR SYAFI’IYAH (Telaah Istihsan dalam Kitab Al-Mustaṣfa Al-Ghazali). JURIS (Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah), 20(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v20i1.3323
Neuman, W. L. (2013). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Pearson Education.
Sa’dan, S. (2017). Ijtihad terhadap Dalil Qath’i dalam Kajian Hukum Islam. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam, 1(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v1i2.2379
Suhardiman, S. (2018). Fikih Hisab-Rukyat Peran Badan Hisab Rukyat terhadap Dinamika Penentuan Awal Bulan Kamariah di Indonesia. At-Turats, 12(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.24260/at-turats.v12i1.972
Yazid, A., Aminah, S., Ariadni, D. K., Utsman, T. Y., & Sugitanata, A. (2024). Istiḥsān Theory and Its Application in the Standard Inpatient Class (KRIS) Initiative by the National Health Insurance Program (JKN). Jurnal Al-Hakim: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa, Studi Syariah, Hukum Dan Filantropi, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.22515/jurnalalhakim.v6i1.8948
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Geubrina Rizky Ananda Sy, Nur Mahmudi Qiromi, Mahsun Mahsun, Amir Tajrid (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in SINTHOP: Media Kajian Agama, Sosial dan Budaya agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- 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.
- 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 Acces)
Downloads
How to Cite
Similar Articles
- Leony Novita Ramadhani, The Role of Teachers in Building Gender Identity and Equality in Integrated Islamic Kindergartens in Banda Aceh , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): January-June
- Reinnia Chintawati, Khalid Syaifullah, Arief Sudrajat, Gender Inequality and Family Representation in The Film Andai Ibu Tidak Menikah Dengan Ayah , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): July-December
- Daan Dini Khairunida, Achmad Yan Muharis, Rizqi Fitriani, The Implementation of Contraceptive Legalization and its Moral Implications for Muslim Adolescents in Rural Indonesia , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): July-December
- Asmanidar Asmanidar, Lamteuba In Transition: A Socio-Historical Perspective on Agricultural Cultural Change , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): January-June
- Mahdar Ependi, Adenan Adenan, Qaulan Sadidan in QS. An-Nisa Verse 9 and Its Ethical Relevance for Generation Z’s Digital Communication , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): July-December
- Rafidhah Hanum, Irwandi Irwandi, Silvia Azila, Fostering Religious Values in Early Childhood Through Big Book Media at TK Negeri 5 Banda Aceh , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): January-June
- Nadya Kharima, Hera Sa’diati, Anggun Ryanda Prashe, Dita Audya Rahayu, Siti Khomalasari, Meanings and Practices of Tuesday Taboos in a Rural Community of Banten , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): July-December
- Farabi Arfaryanda, Suci Fajarni, Musdawati Musdawati, Performing Faith at Work: Dramaturgical Strategies and Religious Expression Among Employees in Aceh, Indonesia , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): July-December
- Fathia Mulki Sattari, Nofal Liata, Promoting Religious Moderation among Indonesian Youth: A Content Analysis of PKMB UIN Ar-Raniry’s Instagram , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): January-June
- Ana Hafifah Agustiningsih, Moh. Nahrowi, Religious Programs as Drivers of Spiritual Character in the Pancasila Student Profile: A Case Study at MA Wahid Hasyim Balung Jember , Sinthop: Media Kajian Pendidikan, Agama, Sosial dan Budaya: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): January-June
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.