Auditorium of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA SPs UIN Jakarta, SPs NEWS – The Graduate School (SPs) of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held the 1706th Doctoral Promotion Exam in the Auditorium Room of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 with promovendus Yumni Al Hilal.

Yumni is a student of the Doctoral program in Islamic Studies with a concentration in Islamic Thought. His dissertation is entitled "The Dynamics of Qaḍā' and Qadar Ash'arīyah Thought in Indonesia in a Socio-Cultural and Political Perspective".

This dissertation explains how the concept of destiny, which is often identified with fatalism, is transformed into an encouragement of active effort. This research focuses on the dialectic of understanding of modern Islamic figures, the mechanism of reinterpretation of Nahdhatul Ulama (NU), and the relevance of Ash'ariyyah theology in the contemporary era.

In order to dissect this idea, Yumni uses a qualitative approach with historical, sociological, cultural, and political frameworks. The research data was collected through an in-depth literature study of classical theological literature to NU institutional documents, then analyzed descriptively-analytically and critically.

Various thoughts of prominent Indonesian Islamic figures were also dissected as primary data sources. Among them are the thoughts of KH. Hasyim Asy'ari from traditionalists, as well as modernist thinkers such as Hamka, Nurcholish Madjid (Cak Nur), Ahmad Syafi'i Ma'arif, and M. Quraish Shihab.

The results of the study reveal that the struggle of thought between traditionalists and modernist groups has shifted the doctrine of destiny into  an ethos of active endeavor. Traditionalists use the concept of kasb (human effort) as the basis for resistance and the glue of social cohesion, while the modernist group understands it as sunnatullah for the development, promotion of humanism, and a tool of criticism of authoritarianism.

In the second finding, this study highlights the strategic role of Nahdhatul Ulama which represents dynamic traditionalism. Through the methodology of establishing law (manhaj istinbāṭ) and acculturation of local wisdom, NU succeeded in transforming the doctrine of destiny into the foundation of Civil Islam, strengthening democratic values, and supporting the social resilience of the community.

Furthermore, Yumni affirms the importance of contemporary theological reconstruction that goes beyond textual apologetics and private exclusivism. Ash'ariyyah theology today is required to move into a public ethics that is sensitive to issues of structural justice, the challenges of neo-colonialism, and the spiritual fortress of modern society.

In conclusion, this dissertation asserts that  a constructively reinterpreted understanding of qaḍā' and qadar will not trigger passivity. On the contrary, it gives birth to an active spirituality that burns the spirit of resistance to injustice, while still trusting in leaving the final result to Allah SWT.

Yumni successfully defended her dissertation under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Amsal Bakhtiar, MA, Prof. Dr. Iik Arifin Mansurnoor, MA, and was tested in front of a board of examiners consisting of Prof. Dr. Zulkifli, MA, Prof. Dr. Amsal Bakhtiar, MA, Prof. Dr. Iik Arifin Mansurnoor, MA, Prof. Ismatu Ropi, MA, Ph.D, Prof. Kusmana, MA, Ph.D, Prof. Dr. Yusron Razak, MA.

After paying attention to the dissertation writing, the comments of the examiner team and the promovenda's answers, the examiner team determined that Yumni Al Hilal graduated with the predicate of Very Satisfactory.  Yumni Al Hilal is the 1706th Doctor in the field of Islamic Studies, doctoral program of the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (Jay A)