KONTEKSTUALISASI FILSAFAT POLITIK AL-FARABI DALAM PEMIKIRAN POLITIK MODERN

he article describes that in light of al-Madînah al�Fâd}ilah, al-Fârâbî idealized the relationship between state and its
citizens based on ethical values. This is in order to create a society
who recognize the truth and enforce it in the form of cooperation
with the state to build mutual prosperity. According to al-Fârâbî,
society is a pivotal element of the creation of state. Within nation�state realm, the members of society must positively demonstrate
their contribution based on their respective capability. Al-Fârâbî
called, in addition, for the existence of freedom (al-h}urriyah) for all
people. The task of a state leader is to provide his members
guidance to justly stride on right path in accordance with religious
doctrines and to prevent them from going astray from the initial
objective of state creation, i.e. triumphing happiness within the
world and the hereafter. Al-Fârâbî’s political thought has great
influence in the next development of the modern democracy. The
article indicates that al-Fârâbî’s concept of freedom has been
subsequently reinterpreted by the next Muslim scholars
emphasizing that the concept of freedom he deemed is not a
borderless freedom.