The Actualization of Islam in Life: A Study of the Thought and Movement of Muhammadiyah

Abstract

This study examines the actualization of Islamic teachings from the perspective of Muhammadiyah through the paradigm of Progressive Islam (Islam Berkemajuan), emphasizing the relationship between religion and culture and its implementation in education, healthcare, philanthropy, and community empowerment. The study is motivated by the tendency of previous research to analyze Muhammadiyah from sectoral perspectives, resulting in limited understanding of the interconnectedness between its theological foundations and institutional practices. This research employed a qualitative approach using a library research design integrated with an integrative literature review. Data were collected from Muhammadiyah's official documents, accredited national journals, reputable international journals, and relevant academic publications, then analyzed through thematic coding, comparative analysis, and conceptual synthesis. The findings reveal that Muhammadiyah reconstructs the relationship between religion and culture through the tajdid paradigm, positioning religion as a normative foundation while culture serves as a dynamic arena for the actualization of Islamic values. This paradigm is institutionalized through Muhammadiyah's charitable enterprises (amal usaha), which function as instruments for translating Islamic principles into sustainable social practices. Education reproduces progressive Islamic values through character formation and scientific development, healthcare embodies humanitarian ethics grounded in professionalism and compassion, while philanthropy advances community empowerment beyond charitable assistance. These interconnected institutions demonstrate that Progressive Islam represents not merely a theological concept but a transformative civilizational framework integrating spiritual, intellectual, and social dimensions to address contemporary societal challenges.