Islamic Constitutionalism and the Management of Diversity: The Dialectic of Coexistence and Empowerment — A Case Study of "Rukun Negara" and "Pancasila"

Abstrak

This study aims to investigate the foundational dimensions of peaceful coexistence and constitutional empowerment for a diverse society, within the framework of the Islamic constitutional system. The study employs a textual-analytical methodology, examining Prophetic texts and covenants, chief among them the Constitution of Medina, recognized as the first constitutional document to regulate citizenship in a pluralistic society. The study addresses a central problem: the misconception that empowering the Islamic frame of reference in governance and legislation necessarily leads to the weakening of coexistence or the infringement upon the rights of non-Muslims. In contrast, this study posits that constitutional "empowerment" based on Islamic principles (justice, contractual religious freedom, human dignity, and shared responsibility) is the strongest and most effective guarantee for achieving prosperous coexistence and full citizenship. Using a comparative approach, the paper reviews models of coexistence in Malaysia and Indonesia, analyzing how their constitutional frameworks and national philosophies (the Rukun Negara and Pancasila) have contributed to managing diversity and the challenges they face. The study concludes that the Constitution of Medina presents a vibrant and contemporary practical model, demonstrating that the empowerment of the Islamic constitutional system was not an end for the majority but a means to end chaos, establish the rule of law, and protect the rights of all citizens. Thus, the study presents an integrated vision that affirms that empowerment and coexistence are not contradictory concepts but are organically intertwined; genuine coexistence is impossible without just authority to enable it.