Researcher: Belief in Imam Mahdi Does Not Make Santri Radical

Semarang (ANTARA) - Ahmad Muthohar, a researcher from Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Walisongo Semarang, stated that belief in Imam Mahdi does not lead to radical political movements but rather strengthens religious moderation. “Transnational Islamic narratives have often exploited the doctrine of Imam Mahdi to mobilise the masses for restoring the caliphate system,” he said in Semarang on Wednesday. In his doctoral dissertation titled “Paradoxical Relations between Mahdism and Anti-Caliphate Movements: A Study of Santri Political Behaviour,” he discovered a different reality in Indonesia, particularly among santri. According to him, there is a productive paradox whereby santri maintain their belief in the eschatology of Imam Mahdi as an ethical framework, yet they stand at the forefront in rejecting contemporary caliphate movements. Through a qualitative approach and critical theological analysis, the research reveals that belief in Imam Mahdi in pesantren is redirected into energy for personal piety and social ethical improvement, rather than demands for institutional politics. Additionally, diverse interpretations of the doctrine result in political behaviour that remains moderate in character and respects public space. One of the greatest intellectual contributions of the dissertation is the emergence of the concept of productive Mahdism paradox. This concept explains how a belief in the future or end times can be managed into constructive political behaviour in the present. “This research proves that Mahdism among santri is not a driver of radicalisation. On the contrary, it serves as a reinforcer of national commitment, acceptance of diversity, and strengthening of the legitimacy of Pancasila and the NKRI,” he said. With this doctoral research, Muthohar successfully earned a doctorate in Islamic studies and is recorded as the 407th doctor from UIN Walisongo Semarang.