Halal as a Social Practice: Local Interpretation of Madura Ulama
Sarkawi, Lailatul Qadariyah

Universitas Trunojoyo Madura

Abstract

The study of halal has tended to be dominated by a normative-formal approach emphasizing compliance with fiqh law and institutional certification. In fact, at the local level, halal practices are often interpreted more nuanced and contextual, considering the diversity of regional cultures, traditions, and religious authorities. This article explores how village scholars in Madura interpret the concept of halal not only as a sharia rule but also as part of the social practices people follow daily. This research is qualitative with an ethnographic approach, and informants from the research include village kyai or religious leaders living in the countryside. This study^s results found that the halal interpretation by local scholars of Madura often involves a dialectic between religious texts, hereditary traditions, and socio-cultural considerations. In many cases, their religious knowledge is adapted to the realities of the community, resulting in a more flexible, communicative, and contextual interpretation. These findings show that halal is not just a product of formal authority, but also the result of a social construct constantly negotiated at the grassroots level. This study contributes to the discourse of halal studies by highlighting the importance of understanding halal as a socio-religious phenomenon that is local and situational. In addition, the results of this study can also be important information for related institutions to formulate policies on halal.

Keywords: halal, local ulama, Madura, cultural interpretation

Topic: Economic Welfare in Terms of Islamic Perspective