Inkar Al-Sunnah from Historical Roots to Indonesian Context: What Factors Explain Its Emergence and Persistence?

Abstract

This study investigates the historical roots, theological and rational arguments, and socio-religious development of the Inkar al-Sunnah movement, which denies the Sunnah as an authoritative source of Islamic law. Employing a qualitative and library-based method with historical-discursive analysis, the research traces its emergence from the classical period to its modern manifestations and its specific trajectory in Indonesia. Findings reveal that Inkar al-Sunnah has persisted by combining selective Qur’anic interpretations with rationalist critiques of hadith transmission, often influenced by colonial legacies and modern reformist currents. In Indonesia, the movement surfaced openly in the 1980s, spearheaded by figures such as M. Ircham Sutarto, Lukman Saad, Abdurrahman, and Dalimi Lubis. Its spread was facilitated by publishing networks but was countered by strong resistance from religious authorities, the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), and state institutions. The study concludes that the persistence of Inkar al-Sunnah lies not only in theological debates but also in socio-political dynamics, making it a recurring intellectual challenge in Islamic history. Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of hadith rejection as both a theological deviation and a socio-religious phenomenon, emphasizing the enduring importance of the Sunnah in Islamic thought.