Leader’s Profile: Prof. Dr. Syamsul Anwar, M.A.

Prof. Dr. Syamsul Anwar, M.A., is a Chairperson of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah overseeing Tarjih and Tajdid. He is a prominent Indonesian Islamic scholar and academic, born in Midai, Riau Islands (now Midai, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province) on February 17, 1956. He currently serves for the 2022–2027 period.

Educational Background

1. Associate Degree, Faculty of Sharia, IAIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta (1978)
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Criminal and Civil Law, Faculty of Sharia, IAIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta (1981; graduation 1982)
3. Advanced studies at Leiden University, the Netherlands (1989–1990)
4. English language training at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
5. Master’s Degree, Graduate Program, IAIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta (1991), specialization in theology and philosophy
6. Doctorate, IAIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta (2001), with a dissertation entitled The Epistemology of Islamic Law in Al-Mustasfa by Al-Ghazali

Roles outside Muhammadiyah

1. Permanent Lecturer and Professor, Faculty of Sharia, IAIN/UIN Sunan Kalijaga (1983–present)
2. Member of the Sharia Supervisory Board, PT BPRS Bangun Drajat Warga Yogyakarta (2001–2010); Chairman (2010–present)
3. Member, Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Central Board (2005–2015)
4. Member, National Sharia Council of MUI (present)
5. Member, Working Group for the Formulation of the Islamic Calendar, Rabat, Morocco (2009–2011)
6. Chairman, Daily Supervisory Board, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta (2015–2019)

Publications

1. “Manhaj Tauthiq Mutun al-Hadith ‘inda Usuliyy al-Ahnaf,” Al-Jami‘ah: Journal of Islamic Studies (2000)
2. “Islamic Banking and Banking Law in Indonesia,” Al-Jami‘ah (2001)
3. “Personal Status Laws in Indonesia,” Mukaddimah (2002)
4. “Hidden Indications and the Mechanisms of Ijtihad,” Al-Jami‘ah (2003)
5. “Sharia and Jurisprudential Aspects of Islamic Calendar Formulation,” Al-Jami‘ah (2008)
6. “Mechanisms for Discovering and Changing Sharia Rulings,” Jurnal Ahwal Syakhsiyyah (2015)
7. “The Unified Islamic Calendar in the Light of Usul al-Fiqh,” Al-Jami‘ah (2016)
8. “Islamic Jurisprudence of Christian–Muslim Relations,” Al-Jami‘ah (1997)
9. “Fatwa, Purification, and Dynamization: A Study of Tarjih in Muhammadiyah,” Islamic Law and Society (2005)