<![CDATA[This study aims to explore how Da’wah Management students interpret, assess, and form religious authority criteria for da’i figures in the digital era. The change in the da’wah ecosystem from institutional space to digital space causes an epistemic shift in the construction of religious authority. This study departs from the lack of studies that specifically examine how young audiences, in this case university students, confirm da’i authority through participatory mechanisms in social media such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Using a qualitative approach with a descriptive-narrative method, data were obtained from twelve students of the Da’wah Management Study Programme through an open-ended questionnaire distributed online. The analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman model which includes the stages of data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that da’i authority is formed mediatically, affectively, and interactively. Students view da’i as the main figure who not only conveys religious teachings, but also acts as a spiritual counsellor and moral guardian. Criteria for da’i authority include depth of Islamic knowledge, relevant communication style, personal consistency, and ethics in delivery. This research confirms that in the digital context, religious authority is no longer static or hierarchical, but is formed through a dynamic relationship between credibility, digital performativity, and active selection by an increasingly religiously literate audience.]]>
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