TRANSNASIONALISASI OTORITAS KEAGAMAAN SALAFI ABU QATADAH AL-ATSARI

Abstract

The transformation of religious authority in the era of globalization and the expansion of digital media has reshaped how contemporary Muslim communities produce, disseminate, and legitimize religious authority. Local Islamic preachers no longer operate within geographically bounded social spaces; instead, they are increasingly connected to global da‘wah networks through digital media and the transnational circulation of religious discourses. This phenomenon is evident in the development of Salafi preaching in Indonesia, including the thought and da‘wah activities of Abu Qatadah Al-Atsari, who plays a significant role in articulating religious authority grounded in the purification of the Sunnah within the contemporary religious public sphere. Although numerous studies have examined Salafism in Indonesia, most have focused on ideological dimensions, religious identity, and the socio-political dynamics of the movement. Studies specifically addressing the construction of religious authority among local Salafi figures within transnational religious networks and the digital da‘wah ecosystem remain relatively limited. This research gap constitutes the primary rationale for the present study. 

This study aims to analyze Abu Qatadah Al-Atsari’s perspectives on religious authority and Salafi da‘wah and to explain how such authority is constructed through the process of religious transnationalization. Employing a qualitative approach, the study combines intellectual biography with digital religious netnography to examine sermons, writings, and da‘wah content circulated in digital spaces. The analytical framework draws upon Peggy Levitt’s concept of the transnational religious field and Nancy T. Ammerman’s perspective of everyday religion.

The findings reveal that Abu Qatadah Al-Atsari’s religious authority is constructed through the integration of Salafi scholarly legitimacy, transnational networks of religious scholars, and the strategic utilization of digital media as a space for producing religious authority. Analysis of digital da‘wah content demonstrates that narratives of doctrinal purification (tathhir al-‘aqidah), adherence to the Sunnah (ittiba‘ al-sunnah), and extensive references to Salafi scholars from the Middle East serve as key strategies for establishing religious credibility among audiences. Netnographic findings further indicate that digital interactions, including the redistribution of sermons, dissemination of religious quotations, audience engagement through comments, and algorithmic amplification on social media platforms, contribute significantly to expanding reach while reinforcing Abu Qatadah’s legitimacy as a religious authority among his followers. Moreover, the Sunnah-based values promoted through digital da‘wah are not confined to discursive expressions but are internalized into everyday religious practices, including participation in regular study circles, changes in worship patterns, the selection of religious references, and the formation of religious identities more closely aligned with the Salafi manhaj. These findings suggest that the construction of Salafi religious authority in the digital era depends not only on traditional scholarly legitimacy but also on the ability of religious actors to manage visibility, audience engagement, and global religious networks within the digital communication ecosystem.

Transformasi otoritas keagamaan pada era globalisasi dan perkembangan media digital telah mengubah cara masyarakat Muslim kontemporer memproduksi, mendistribusikan, dan melegitimasi otoritas religius. Tokoh-tokoh dakwah lokal tidak lagi beroperasi dalam ruang sosial yang terbatas secara geografis, tetapi terhubung dengan jaringan dakwah global melalui media digital dan pertukaran wacana keagamaan lintas negara. Fenomena ini terlihat dalam perkembangan dakwah Salafi di Indonesia, termasuk pemikiran dan aktivitas dakwah Abu Qatadah Al-Atsari yang berperan dalam mengartikulasikan otoritas keagamaan berbasis pemurnian sunnah dalam ruang publik keagamaan kontemporer. Meskipun berbagai penelitian telah membahas Salafisme di Indonesia, sebagian besar kajian masih berfokus pada dimensi ideologi, identitas keagamaan, dan dinamika sosial-politik gerakan. Kajian yang secara khusus menelaah konstruksi otoritas keagamaan tokoh Salafi lokal dalam jaringan religius transnasional sekaligus dalam ekosistem dakwah digital masih relatif terbatas. Kesenjangan kajian tersebut menjadi dasar utama penelitian ini.
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pemikiran Abu Qatadah Al-Atsari mengenai otoritas keagamaan dan dakwah Salafi serta menjelaskan bagaimana otoritas tersebut terbentuk dalam proses transnasionalisasi kehidupan religius. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi pemikiran tokoh yang dipadukan dengan netnografi agama digital untuk menganalisis ceramah, tulisan, serta konten dakwah dalam ruang digital. Kerangka analisis memanfaatkan konsep transnational religious field dari Peggy Levitt dan perspektif everyday religion dari Nancy T. Ammerman.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa otoritas keagamaan Abu Qatadah Al-Atsari dibangun melalui integrasi antara legitimasi keilmuan Salafi, jaringan ulama transnasional, dan pemanfaatan media digital sebagai ruang produksi otoritas religius. Analisis terhadap konten dakwah digital menemukan bahwa narasi pemurnian akidah, ittiba' al-sunnah, dan rujukan intensif kepada ulama Salafi Timur Tengah menjadi strategi utama dalam membangun kredibilitas keagamaan di hadapan audiens. Temuan netnografis juga menunjukkan bahwa interaksi digital berupa penyebaran ulang ceramah, kutipan dakwah, komentar, dan penguatan algoritmik melalui platform media sosial berkontribusi dalam memperluas jangkauan sekaligus memperkuat legitimasi Abu Qatadah sebagai otoritas keagamaan di kalangan pengikutnya. Selain itu, nilai-nilai sunnah yang dikampanyekan dalam konten dakwah tidak berhenti pada tataran diskursif, tetapi terinternalisasi dalam praktik religius sehari-hari, seperti penguatan kajian rutin, perubahan pola ibadah, pemilihan rujukan keagamaan, serta pembentukan identitas keberagamaan yang lebih dekat dengan manhaj Salafi. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa konstruksi otoritas keagamaan Salafi pada era digital tidak hanya bergantung pada legitimasi keilmuan tradisional, tetapi juga pada kemampuan aktor dakwah mengelola visibilitas, interaksi audiens, dan jaringan religius global dalam ekosistem komunikasi digital.