Indonesian Muslims Response to Covid-19 from the Perspective of Ash

Abstract

The understanding of the Indonesian Muslim community about the Covid-19 pandemic has drawn different opinions. Some people think that there is no need to be afraid of Covid-19 because life and death have been determined by Allah SWT. The virus is considered to be the soldiers of Allah sent as punishment to unbelievers. Thus, many people do not comply with the health protocols established by the government. As a predominantly Muslim country in the world, Indonesia adheres to Ash'arite theology which teaches the kasb (effort) theory that God has a will, but humans are responsible for their efforts. This paper will answer the following question (1) How Indonesian Muslim response to a pandemic? (2) How Ash'arite theology perspective toward the Muslim community? (3) What is the relevance between Ash'arism and pandemic? By doing so, this research will analyze the Muslim community in Indonesia to overcome the pandemic and compare to public policy by the government. The methodology in this research uses qualitative analytic while collecting data using documentation. The understanding of Ash'arite theology is not properly practised by the Indonesian Muslim community. Because the attitude of most Muslim societies fell on fatalism by relying on everything that happened to God. On the other hand, the view of the Ash'arite group is moderate between Qadarites and Jabarites ideology. So that Muslims still have to try to protect themselves from the pandemic by doing their best.