TOFEDU: The Future of Education Journal
Vol 5 No 2 (2026)

The Representation of Divinity in Erna Suminar’s Collection of Sufi Poems: A Roland Barthes Perspective: Representasi Ketuhanan dalam Kumpulan Puisi Sufistik Karya Erna Suminar Perspektif Roland Barthes

Putrie Mauladanin Azama (UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
Fardini Auralia Jauzaa (UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
Aqilla Ghina Nur Hidayah (UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
Shinta Aulia Munandar (UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)
Atiqotul Fitriyah (UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
17 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study examines the representation of divinity in Erna Suminar’s Sufi poems Mahakarya Ilahi, Pesan Rahasia, and Karena Engkau using Roland Barthes’ semiotic perspective. The research is motivated by the importance of understanding how religious and spiritual meanings are constructed through poetic symbols in contemporary Indonesian literature. The objective of this study is to describe the denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings that construct representations of God in the selected poems. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method with Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach. The data source was Pertemuan Antologi Puisi Sufistik by Erna Suminar, while the data consisted of words, phrases, and poetic expressions containing signs related to divinity. Data were collected through reading and note-taking techniques and analyzed through the stages of denotation, connotation, and myth. The findings reveal that the representation of divinity is constructed through various symbolic systems. In Mahakarya Ilahi, God is represented as the Creator and the source of human existence through artistic symbols. In Pesan Rahasia, God is portrayed as a refuge, a source of inner peace, and the destination of spiritual longing through symbols of secrecy and communication. In Karena Engkau, God is represented as the source of beauty, compassion, and power manifested through nature and human spiritual experiences. At the mythical level, the three poems construct the belief that humans can discover meaning, peace, and spiritual awareness through their relationship with God. These findings demonstrate that divinity in Erna Suminar’s poetry is represented as the center of existence, spirituality, and human life.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

journal

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

TOFEDU Journal is a scientific journal related to research results, conceptual studies, critical/comprehensive studies in the field of education. The results of the work of the researchers are expected to make a positive contribution in the field of education in order to achieve equitable, inclusive ...