SUMANG SEBAGAI INSTRUMEN ISLAMISASI BUDAYA: KAJIAN SEJARAH PERADABAN DAN PEMIKIRAN ISLAM DALAM MASYARAKAT GAYO

Abstract

This article examines sumang as an instrument of cultural Islamization in Gayo society from the perspective of Islamic civilization history and Islamic thought. Previous studies have predominantly discussed sumang as a customary norm or a mechanism of social control, while limited attention has been given to its role as a medium for the internalization of Islamic values and as a manifestation of local Islamic intellectual tradition. This study aims to analyze the historical development of sumang, its integration with Islamic teachings, and its relevance to the objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah). Employing a qualitative library research approach with historical and normative perspectives, data were collected from books, scientific journals, historical documents, and other relevant sources, and analyzed using descriptive content analysis. The findings demonstrate that sumang is not merely a customary prohibition but a product of social ijtihād that institutionalizes Islamic moral values within Gayo culture. This study offers a new perspective by positioning sumang as a sustainable model of cultural Islamization that integrates local wisdom with the objectives of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, thereby contributing to the discourse on Islamic civilization and the dynamic relationship between Islam and local traditions.