Women Ulama as Fatwa Issuers in Indonesia: A New Trend Challenging Male-Dominated Religious Authority
Cirebon, July 07, 2025 -- The International Office of UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon held an international seminar titled “Indonesian Islam For The World: Gus Dur Legacy to the KUPI Movement.” The event, held on the 5th floor of the Siber Building, was attended by 23 participants from diverse academic and religious backgrounds. Among the speakers, Nor Ismah, Ph.D, appeared as one of the key presenters with a paper titled "Decolonizing Religious Knowledge: Women Issuing Fatwas and Challenging Male-Dominated Authority in Java, Indonesia." "We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how fatwas are produced and who has the right to issue them," said Nor Ismah, Ph.D, at the beginning of her presentation.
In Indonesian Islamic tradition, institutions such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Muhammadiyah’s Tarjih Council, or Nahdlatul Ulama’s Bahtsul Masail have historically been the main centers for issuing fatwas. However, most members of these fatwa committees remain dominated by male scholars. For example, between 1975–1998, only five female ulama were members of MUI’s Fatwa Committee. This situation is gradually changing, particularly in Java, where female ulama are now actively participating in issuing fatwas at the community level. “Fatwas don’t have to come from large institutions. Women can do it and already are,” said Nor Ismah, Ph.D.
Fatwas issued by women ulama typically address pressing issues experienced by women, such as polygamy, female circumcision, and child marriage. Unlike formal approaches that tend to be textual, female ulama often combine classical Islamic sources like the Qur’an and Hadith with lived experiences and human rights frameworks. They also frequently use local contexts and national laws such as Law No. 38 of 1999 on the Elimination of Domestic Violence. “This is not just about religious rulings; it’s also a tool for empowerment,” added Nor Ismah, Ph.D.
One important platform for women ulama is the Indonesian Congress of Women Ulama (KUPI). Through KUPI, women ulama not only gain space to voice their opinions but also develop a new theological framework centered on gender justice. Concepts such as mubadalah (mutual
respect and shared responsibility), keadilan hakiki (substantive
justice), and ma’ruf (ethical reasoning rooted in goodness) form the
foundation of their fatwas. “KUPI has created a theology that speaks not only
about women but also about how gender relations can be more equal,” explained Nor
Ismah, Ph.D.
According to KUPI, the term "perempuan" (woman) is no longer merely a biological identity, but also represents a spirit of struggle for justice. In fact, under KUPI’s definition, men can also be considered "ulama perempuan" (women ulama) if they actively advocate for gender equality and women's dignity. “Gus Dur, although a man, symbolizes a ‘woman ulama’ because he fought for women's rights and inclusivity in Islam,” said Nor Ismah, Ph.D.
Author: Nurhusni Yusriyyah Yumna