wajib

Binding Obligation with Wajib

Level 6

Wajib presents an action as obligatory. It is used in legal and institutional requirements, but also in religion and emphatic everyday speech. It is not a universal strongest-word category or a guarantee that a claim is legally binding.

How It Works

The term wajib originates from Arabic and expresses duty or obligation. Its exact force depends on the context and source of the requirement.

1. Syntactic Usage
Like other modals such as bisa or boleh, wajib precedes the verb it modifies. It does not change based on the subject.
Example: Siswa wajib hadir. (Students shall attend.)

2. Legal and Institutional Register
In Indonesian legislative drafting (Law No. 12 of 2011), wajib is specified in drafting guidance, Annex II point268, for an established obligation. That drafting convention does not mean every conversational wajib or every notice creates a legally enforceable duty. The applicable rule supplies the consequences.

3. Religious Context
In Islamic discourse, which heavily influences Indonesian vocabulary, wajib refers to acts that are mandatory for believers. Performing them brings merit, while neglecting them is considered a sin.

4. Derived Forms
To use this concept in different parts of speech, you will encounter:

  • Kewajiban (Noun): Obligation or duty.
  • Mewajibkan (Verb): To make something mandatory.
  • Diwajibkan (Passive Verb): To be required/obligated.

Examples (5)

  1. Setiap warga negara wajib menjunjung tinggi hukum.

    Every citizen shall uphold the law.

    Word by Word: Every citizen mandatory uphold high law.

    This uses 'wajib' in a constitutional context to show a binding legal duty for all citizens.

  2. Pengendara motor wajib menggunakan helm berstandar nasional.

    Motorcyclists are required to use national standard helmets.

    Word by Word: Rider motor mandatory use helmet standard national.

    The sentence presents helmet use as a requirement in a regulatory style. Any actual penalty comes from the relevant rule, not from the word wajib alone.

  3. Pihak pertama wajib membayar denda jika terlambat.

    The first party shall pay a fine if they are late.

    Word by Word: Side first mandatory pay fine if late.

    Commonly found in contracts to define the binding obligations of the parties involved.

  4. Umat Islam wajib menjalankan ibadah puasa.

    Muslims are obligated to perform the fast.

    Word by Word: People Islam mandatory run worship fast.

    Demonstrates the religious usage of 'wajib' as a mandatory spiritual duty.

  5. Tamu wajib lapor 1x24 jam.

    Guests must report within 24 hours.

    Word by Word: Guest mandatory report 1x24 hour.

    A common sign in Indonesian neighborhoods, showing an institutional rule for local security.

Common Mistakes

  • Using obligation when the intended message grants permission.

    Peserta wajib membawa bekal sendiri.
    Peserta boleh membawa bekal sendiri.

    For the intended permission to bring food, use boleh. Wajib instead makes bringing food a requirement. Both sentences are grammatical but convey different rules. Everyday emphatic wajib, such as recommending coffee, is not inherently incorrect.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

wajibLevel 6Binding Obligation with Wajib

Learn This First

To understand 'wajib' in a legal context, learners must first be familiar with basic Indonesian modals of obligation like 'harus' and 'perlu'. Additionally, because 'wajib' is primarily used in formal and legal documents, familiarity with the institutional passive voice is essential for interpreting how these obligations are typically phrased in Indonesian law.

Words in This Pattern

wajibwajib