| This study investigated how shari'a regulations diffused across different jurisdictions in Indonesia. The focus of this study was on the process of the diffusion, looking at three different aspects of diffusion: factors, actors, and mechanisms. It addressed these questions: What types of actors were involved in the process of the diffusion? How did the dynamics of the interaction between actors lead to the introduction of shari'a regulations? What mechanisms were in place in order to facilitate the diffusion of shari'a regulations? To answer these questions, this study employed a comparative approach, by exploring the process of shari'a regulation diffusion in two selected districts: Padang and Kuningan. Analyzing the contents of two kinds of shari'a regulations (zakat and the Islamic knowledge regulations), this study indicated two points: First, the two categories of shari'a regulations demonstrated the different patterns of diffusion. These different patterns of diffusion were shaped by legal and socio-historical contexts. Second, the content analysis also showed some duplication of provisions among similar shari'a regulations in different jurisdictions. Using the process tracing method, this study investigated the process of diffusion. Three findings were highlighted. First, the diffusion of shari'a regulations in both districts was influenced by similar external and internal factors. However, the influence of internal factors in Padang, West Sumatra, seemed to be stronger than the influence of these factors in Kuningan, West Java, due to the involvement of cultural factor. Second, this study showed that go-between actors i.e., the local MUIs and its networks) played a very crucial role in the diffusion of shari'a regulations. They brought the ideas of Islamic shari'a, initiated the causes of local shari'a regulations, and mobilized all of their resources to reach their goals. Third, the spread of shari'a regulations occurred under one of these mechanisms: learning, emulation, and socialization. This study indicated that the three diffusion mechanisms were possible because of two necessary conditions: a) the direct or indirect influence of external factors; and b) the present of strong local Islamic groups or clerics, who initiated the causes of local shari'a regulations and mobilized all possible resources in order to achieve their goals. However, these two conditions were not sufficient without two other conditions: a) the political support of the district heads and or the local legislatures; and b) the absence of a strong resistance from interest groups. |
