Indonesia is known for its diversity, and that extends to the religious beliefs that its people hold. Islam, being the largest religion in the country, is permeated with various sects and organizations that have their own take on teachings and practices. Two major movements in the Islamic community in Indonesia are Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah. While both of these groups subscribe to the same foundation of Islam, there exist certain differences between these two movements that distinguish them from one another.
Latar Belakang NU dan Muhammadiyah
NU and Muhammadiyah are both Islamic organizations that have been in operation in Indonesia for a long time. The Nahdlatul Ulama is a traditionalist Sunni movement that was founded in 1926 by a group of Ulama. The group has its headquarters in Jombang, East Java, and is distinguished by its traditionalist approach to Islam. On the other hand, Muhammadiyah is a modernist Islamic reform movement in Indonesia that was established around the same time by Ahmad Dahlan. Muhammadiyah has its headquarters located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Perbedaan Falsafah
One of the most prominent differences between NU and Muhammadiyah is in their philosophical approaches to Islam. NU believes that Islam should be practiced while still maintaining cultural traditions, while Muhammadiyah focuses on strictly following Islamic teachings without any cultural baggage. NU, as a traditionalist movement, sticks to ideas that have been passed down from generations, seeking to consolidate Islamic teachings and Indonesian culture since the days of the Islamic kingdoms that preceded Indonesia as it is today. On the other hand, Muhammadiyah tends to reject practices that closely relate to the local traditions and instead aligns itself more with Arabic and Islamic culture that is practiced in other Muslim countries.
Perbedaan Fikih
Another difference between NU and Muhammadiyah is their approach to Islamic jurisprudence, or fikih. NU has its own approach which is called the "Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’ah" approach, which is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. This approach emphasizes oral and written traditions that have been passed down among generations. Muhammadiyah, on the other hand, uses its own approach called "Manhaj Tarjih," which means a systematic and coherent way of interpreting the texts. This approach is based on prioritizing the text that has more weight or validity and minimizing the less valid one. This is what distinguishes Muhammadiyah from NU in terms of fikih.
Perbedaan Organisasi
The differences between NU and Muhammadiyah go beyond their philosophical and jurisprudential approaches. NU calls itself an "anatomy of organization" because it has a large network of branches and chapters all over Indonesia. These branches are integrated into a comprehensive and decentralized system, which includes Islamic boarding schools called "pesantren." Muhammadiyah, on the other hand, adopts a centralized structure. It has a central leadership and branch organizations, but these branches are not as evenly distributed as NU’s branches. Although both organizations have been involved in social and educational activities, each has its own organization or even party, which distinguishes one from the other.
Peran NU dan Muhammadiyah pada Masyarakat
In terms of their roles on society, both NU and Muhammadiyah have made significant contributions to Indonesia’s development, particularly in education and social services. NU, with its decentralized structure, is known for its vast network of pesantren throughout Indonesia, which provides free education and lodging to students. The pesantren is also known for being an institution that strengthens Islamic morals, thus shaping character, and contributing to the buildup of Indonesian society. Muhammadiyah, on the other hand, is known for providing healthcare and social services to the Indonesian people. Muhammadiyah has established hospitals, clinics, and orphanages to serve the people who are in need.
Kesimpulan
In conclusion, NU and Muhammadiyah, despite their differences, share a common foundation in Islam and are committed to serving the Indonesian community. NU is known for its traditionalist philosophy, its decentralization, and its vast network of pesantren throughout Indonesia. Muhammadiyah is known for its modernist philosophy, its centralized structure, and its contribution to society through healthcare and social services. While there are differences between the two organizations, both have left a positive impact on Indonesia and its people.
