[1] The council comprises many Indonesian Muslim groups including Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Lembaga Dakwah Islam Indonesia LDII, and smaller groups such as Syarikat Islam, Perti, Al Washliyah, Mathla'ul Anwar, GUPPI, PTDI, DMI, and Al Ittihadiyyah.

[4] Since the collapse of Suharto's regime in 1998, MUI has changed its approach in the state-religion relationship by envisioning a more active role to protect Muslim's interests while started a new position as a critical partner of the Indonesian government.

[6] Fatwa (or plural form Fatawa) represents Muslim's ethical response, legal interpretation, and contextual feedback on a particular social issue(s).

[5] The MUI now has twelve commissions and ten divisions that work together in behalf of Muslim's interest through various responsibilities such as fatwa, education and leadership training, women and family, law and regulation, research and development, inter-religious engagement, international relations, economic betterment and many more.

[6][8] An important function of MUI is to provide halal fatwa for products (including but not limited to foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and clothing).