First points of reference in religious decision-making: Examining taqlid among university students

Abstract

The university environment exposes students to diverse intellectual discourses, often prompting them to navigate complex religious challenges independently. In Islamic jurisprudence, when individuals face such issues, they may resort to Taqlid (following qualified scholarly authority) or utilize other decision-making frameworks. Understanding how modern educated youth approach these spiritual and legal hurdles is crucial for contemporary religious education and discourse. The research investigates how university students make religious decisions in the digital era through the theoretical lens of taqlid. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured online survey questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of university students. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) to evaluate students' information-seeking behaviors and their understanding of Taqlid. Statistical analysis indicates that university students frequently encounter religious dilemmas, primarily resolving them by consulting a religious teacher or scholar, making it the most common first point of reference. They also refer to official religious websites suggesting that respondents continue to value authoritative and credible sources even when seeking information online. Furthermore, the descriptive data reveals that respondents do not exhibit blind reliance on their initial source of religious information. Critically, these results suggest that while many respondents demonstrate a degree of trust in their initial source, this trust is not absolute. These quantitative insights provide measurable data for religious educators and institutional authorities. The findings highlight a critical need to introduce structured modules on Islamic legal methodologies in higher education, ensuring students are equipped with verifiable and sound frameworks for religious problem-solving in the digital era.