<![CDATA[The digitalization of da'wah has disrupted traditional religious authority structures in rural areas. This research aims to analyze the authority relationship between local preachers (ustaz) and national preachers in shaping the religious preferences of mosque congregants in Candikuning Village, Tabanan Regency, Bali. Employing a qualitative field research approach through the sociology of authority perspective, data were gathered via in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation. The findings reveal a dualistic preference pattern among congregants. Local preachers maintain practical-ritual authority and moral legitimacy due to intimate social proximity, while national preachers dominate the congregants' cognitive-aspirational authority through media power, dynamic rhetoric, and digital branding. The dominant factor preserving local authority is social capital and direct spiritual mentoring, whereas the appeal of national preachers lies in their broad insights and accessibility. This study concludes that religious authority in the contemporary era is no longer unitary but fragmented, necessitating integration strategies. The implications of this research emphasize the crucial role of mosque management in synergizing national da'wah narratives with local wisdom to prevent ideological fragmentation among congregants. This synergy allows the mosque to remain the primary axis of spiritual guidance that is adaptive to modern changes without losing its traditional identity.]]>
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