ESENSIA: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Ushuluddin
Vol. 22 No. 1 (2021)

Mediated Tarekat Qadiriyah wa Naqshabandiyah in the Digital Era: An Ethnographic Overview

Zulfan Taufik (Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Bukittinggi)
Muhammad Taufik (Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Mataram)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 May 2021

Abstract

This article examines how Tarekat Qadiriyah wa Naqshabandiyah (TQN) utilizes online media to strengthen its existence. As an integral part of the Islamic revival in Indonesia, Sufi orders (tarekat) are facing remarkable challenges and opportunities in maintaining their existence in the digital era. Nevertheless, previous studies observed Sufi orders as a traditional community that would be exterminated by the pace of modernization and globalization. This article argues that Sufi orders may survive in the internet of things era, contrary to preceding discourses. Based on ethnography research, both online and offline, the authors found out that the vitality of the Sufi order can adapt, develop, and innovate using online media. TQN's use of online media through various platforms proves Sufi order’s adaptive efforts to the internet-based era. TQN’s online media provide informations on Islamic  and Sufism teachings, news, schedule of activities, and fundraising. Even though TQN members’ being active in cyber-Islamic environments, they resist online asceticism thus leverage the vertical-personal obedience, conservative authorities, and sacred rituals. These practices done by TQN members illuminate its identity as an authentic online sufism. Premises shown in this paper may enrich the scope of study within the relationship of Sufi orders and Islamic-cyber environment, especially in Indonesian context.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

esensia

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Social Sciences

Description

ESENSIA: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Ushuluddin is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes articles of the highest quality and significance in all areas of Islamic theology (uṣūl al-dīn). The journal covers research on the immense significance of Islam in the context of religious life to which it has ...