Negotiating Religious Authority in The Digital Age: Islamic Participation and The Transformation of Nahdlatul Ulama in Central Lampung
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21154/muslimheritage.v11i1.13026Keywords:
Digital participation; Nahdlatul Ulama; phenomenology; religious authority; scientific publicationsAbstract
This study examines the participation of the NU organization in Central Lampung Regency in developing science through digital publications. The focus of the study includes forms, patterns, theological foundations, and strategies for optimizing participation. This study is based on the assumption that Islam has great potential to inspire a knowledgeable society. The approach used is qualitative-phenomenological, with data collection techniques including focus groups (FGDs), interviews, observation, and documentation. Data were analyzed through data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that NU's digital participation encompasses three main forms: the production of science-based Islamic knowledge, dissemination through digital media, and collaboration across scientific networks. The pattern of participation evolves from awareness, initiation, and evaluation. This participation reflects a shift in religious authority from a hierarchical structure to a collaborative and adaptive network model. Phenomenologically, this participation is driven by religious awareness as a manifestation of the caliph's responsibility in building a scientific civilization. NU's theological approach involves the bayani, burhani, and irfani methods, emphasizing the preservation of intellectual traditions. This research emphasizes the importance of integrating Islamic values, scientific literacy, government regulations, and ongoing evaluation in strengthening religious digital communities. This implies the need for policies that support the digital capacity of religious groups and the development of contextual and local value-based participation models.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini mengkaji partisipasi organisasi Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) di Kabupaten Lampung Tengah dalam pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan melalui publikasi digital. Fokus kajian meliputi bentuk, pola, landasan teologis, serta strategi optimalisasi partisipasi organisasi NU. Penelitian ini didasarkan pada asumsi bahwa Islam memiliki potensi besar untuk menginspirasi lahirnya masyarakat berpengetahuan. Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah kualitatif-fenomenologis, dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa diskusi kelompok terarah (FGD), wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Data dianalisis melalui tahapan reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa partisipasi digital NU mencakup tiga bentuk utama, yaitu produksi pengetahuan keislaman berbasis sains, diseminasi melalui media digital, serta kolaborasi dalam jaringan keilmuan. Pola partisipasi berkembang melalui tahapan kesadaran, inisiasi, dan evaluasi. Partisipasi ini mencerminkan pergeseran otoritas keagamaan dari struktur hierarkis menuju model jejaring yang kolaboratif dan adaptif. Secara fenomenologis, partisipasi tersebut digerakkan oleh kesadaran religius sebagai manifestasi tanggung jawab khalifah dalam membangun peradaban ilmu pengetahuan. Pendekatan teologis NU melibatkan metode bayani, burhani, dan irfani yang menekankan pelestarian tradisi intelektual. Penelitian ini menegaskan pentingnya integrasi nilai-nilai Islam, literasi saintifik, regulasi pemerintah, serta evaluasi berkelanjutan dalam memperkuat komunitas keagamaan digital. Implikasi penelitian ini menunjukkan perlunya kebijakan yang mendukung penguatan kapasitas digital kelompok keagamaan serta pengembangan model partisipasi yang kontekstual dan berbasis nilai-nilai lokal.
References
A. Sunarto, AS. “Paradigma Nahdlatul Ulama Terhadap Modernisasi.” Jurnal Sosiologi Islam, Vol. 3, No. 2, (Oktober, 2013): 51-74.
Achmad Tohari, “Respon Masyarakat Pedesaan terhadap Digitalisasi di Kalangan Nahdlatul Ulama”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies 2, no. 2 (31 Desember, 2024), 369-384.
Akhmad Sofyan, Mochamad Bayu Firmansyah, Muta’allim, Everhard Markiano Solissa, dan Fahrur Rosikh, “Islamic Boarding School Linguistic Landscape In The Development Of Arabic Language Skills And Islamic Knowledge” International Journal of Educational Research & Social Sciences 3, no. 6 (27 Desember, 2022), 2178-2185.
Alatas, Syed Hussein. “Religion and Modernisation in Southeast Asia.” European-journal-of-sociology, Vol. 11, No. 2 (May 01, 1970), 265-296. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003975600002083
Arief Rachman, Theguh Saumantri, dan Taufik Hidayatulloh, “Transformation of Religious Authority in The Digital Era: A Post-Normal Times Analysis by Ziauddin Sardar on The Phenomenon of Social Media Da’wah”, Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah 45, no. 1 (30 Juni, 2025) 1693-8054. https://doi.org/10.2158/jid.45.1.25644
Aris Munandar dan Endang Susanti, “Green Dakwah Nahdlatul Ulama: Strategi Komunikasi Digital NU Online dalam Membangun Kesadaran Ekologis”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies 3, no.2 (2025): 579-602.
Azra, Azyumardi. “Kebangkitan Peradaban, Memperkuat Optimisme Muslim Asia Tenggara.” Kompas. (September 19, 2022).
Bagir, Zainal Abidin. "Practice and the agenda of islam and science". Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, Vol. 47, No. 2 (Juni 02, 2012): 354-366. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2012.01260.x
Bakar, Abu. “Agama dan Kemiskinan Budaya Kerja Masyarakat Petani di Pedesaan di Provinsi Riau.” Jurnal Sosial Budaya, Vol. 9, No. 2 (December, 2012): 212-230. doi:10.24014/sb.v9i2.384
BPS. Lampung Tengah dalam angka 2025. 54 ed. Gunung Sugih: BPS Lampung Tengah, 2025.
Castells, Manuel, “The Rise of the Network Society (2nd ed.)”. (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010).
Castells, Manuel. The Rise of the Network Society. New York: Wiley, 2011.
Change, Social, Analysis Of, T H E Role, Religion In, T H E Modernization, dan Process In. “Religion in The Modernization Process in Developing” Vol. 1, No. 3 (2024).
Dudy Imanuddin Effendi, Dede Irawan, dan Lilim Abdul Halim, “The Phenomenon of Public Islam Within Urban Da’wah Practices in Bandung” Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah 46 No. 1 (18 April, 2026), 1693-8054. https://doi.org/10.2158/jid.46.1.29603
Dumiyati, Aries Musnandar, Julhadi, Zaedun Na’im, dan Muta’allim, “The Development of Islamic Education Curriculum on Building Religious Moderation at Manbaul Ulum Islamic Boarding School”, AL-WIJDÁN: Journal of Islamic Education Studies 8, No. 3 (Juli, 2023), 359-381.
Edis, Taner. "An illusion of harmony : science and religion in Islam". New York: Amherst, 2007.
Eny Supriati, Tiara Widya Antikasari, dan Komarudin, “Strategic Model for Strengthening Digital Literacy at UIN Ponorogo and UIN Kediri: Synergy of Curriculum and Educational Programs”, Muslim Heritage 10, No.1, (14 Juni, 2025), 106-126.
Fealy, Greg, dan Greg Barton. "Nahdlatul Ulama, Traditional Islam and Modernity in Indonesia". Michigan, USA.: Monash Asia Institute, 1996.
Firmansyah, Anwar, dan Pratiwi, Tiffany Setyo. “Agama dan Pembangunan: Beragam Pandangan dalam Melihat Keberkaitan Agama terhadap Proses Pembangunan dan Modernisasi.” Jurnal Ilmiah Hubungan Internasional, Vol. 15, No. 1 (Juli 01, 2019). https://doi.org/10.26593/jihi.v15i1.2966.1-12.
Fortunati, Leopoldina, dan O’Sullivan, John. “Convergence crosscurrents: Analog in the digital and digital in the analog.” The Information Society, Vol. 36, No. 3 (Maret 16, 2020): 160-166. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2020.1737608.
Haan, Arly E.M. de, dan Anika Chatarina Takene. “Memahami Konsep Karl Marx: Agama Adalah Candu Masyarakat Dalam Perilaku Beribadah Jemaat Semau Utara, Klasis Semau.” NUSANTARA : Jurnal Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial, Vol. 8, No. 6 (Desember 13, 2021): 1596–1609. http://jurnal.um-tapsel.ac.id/index.php/nusantara/article/view/5305.
Hafidhoh Ma'rufah, “The Transformation of Religious Authority in The Era Of New Media: Analyzing Disparities in Opportunities Between Female and Male Ulama in The Nahdlatul Ulama Online MEDIA”. Jurnal Sosiologi Reflektif, 18, no. 1, (2023) : 63-88. https://doi.org/10.14421/jsr.v18i1.2956
Hartati dan Hambali. “Transformasi NU di Indonesia: Upaya Menghilangkan Polemik di Tengah Perubahan Politik.” Substantia: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Ushuluddin, Vol. 20, No. 1 (April 18, 2018). https://doi.org/10.22373/substantia.v20i1.3404.
Hasibuan, Abdurrozzaq, dan Sulaiman, Oris Krianto. “Smart City, Konsep Kota Cerdas Sebagai Alternatif Penyelesaian Masalah Perkotaan Kabupaten/Kota.” Buletin Utama Teknik, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Januari, 2019): 127-135. https://doi.org/10.30743/but.v14i2.1097
Hidayat, Samsul. “Sacred Science vs. Secular Science: Carut Marut Hubungan Agama dan Sains.” Kalam, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Juli 01, 2014): 87. https://doi.org/10.24042/klm.v8i1.169.
Insan Kamil, Riantino Yudistira, M. Yusuf, Muta’allim, dan Hasan Sayfullah, “Hybrid Learning as An Alternative to Modern Learning Models”, International Conference on Humanity Education and Society (ICHES) 2, no. 1, (2023).
Iskandar. Metodologi Penelitian Pendidikan dan Sosial. Jakarta: GP Press, 2008.
Khadiq. “Agama Sebagai Modal Pembangunan Masyarakat.” Aplikasi: Jurnal Aplikasi Ilmu-Ilmu Agama, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Desember, 2005): 122-141.
Khaswara, Fajar, dan Halim, Ilim Abdul. “Studi Agama dan Ekonomi tentang Pengaruh Agama terhadap Etos Kerja dan Kemiskinan.” Gunung Djati Conference Series, Vol. 8, No. 2 (Januari 13, 2022): 120-130.
Lailiyatun Nafisah, Rahman Alwi, Rahman, Sukiyat, dan Saifuddin Yuliar, “Deauthorization of Hadith Studies on The Internet: Shift of Religious Authority in The Digital Age”, Muslim Heritage 10, No.1, (Juni 2025): 78-90.
Lukman Hakim dan Aris Nurabwani, “Media Framing in The 2024 Presidential Election Contestation and Its Relevance to Critical, Tolerant, and Moderate Learning in Islamic Higher Education”, Muslim Heritage, 10, No.1, (2025): 154-168.
Mahardhani, A. J., Nawiruddin, N., Jalaluddin, J., Julhadi, J., & Muta’allim, M. “The Kyai’s Position in Rural Local Democracy Based on Patronage Politics at Tapal Kuda”. Muslim Heritage, Vol. 8, No. 1. (Juni 29, 2023): 115–132. https://doi.org/10.21154/muslimheritage.v8i1.6004
Marwa Ulfa, “Transformasi Komunikasi Dakwah dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Praktik Keagamaan Masyarakat Muslim di Indonesia”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies 2, no.2 (2024), 385-399.
Muhamad Saiful Mukminin, “Quantifying Environment in NU Online Media: Corpus-Based Ecolinguistic Discourse Analysis Perspective”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies 3, no. 2 (31 Desember, 2025), 537-554.
Muhamad Saiful Mukminin dan Labiq Yafuz, “Religious Moderation Representation on Nu Online Instagram Account; Teun A. Van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies 2, no.2 (31 Desember, 2024), 301-320.
Muhammad Arwani Rofi’I dan Siti Fatimatuz Zahroh, “Peran Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) dalam Menjaga Keharmonisan Umat Beragama di Era Disrupsi Digital”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies 2, no. 2 (31 Desember, 2024), 339-368.
Muhammad Azlan Lubis dan Ahmad Nabil Annuha, “Habitus Tensions between NU's Santri and Students: Religious Education Cultural Transformation in the Disruption Era”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies, 3, no.1 (2025), 417-436.
Muhammad Yusuf Pratama dan Ahmad Nabil Annuha, “Digital Da'wah Transformation of Nahdlatul Ulama: Religious Moderation Strategies in the Technological Era”, NAHNU: Journal of Nahdlatul Ulama and Contemporary Islamic Studies, 2, no.2 (2024): 321-338.
Muta’allim, “Kh. Hasyim Muzadi’s Language Politeness Strategies in Responding The Different Perspective Between Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah: a Sociopragmatic Study”, Muslim Haeritage, Vol.10, No.1, (Juni 23, 2025): 54-77, https://doi.org/10.21154/muslimheritage.v10i1.10951
Muta’allim, Siti Masyarafatul Manna Wassalwa, Siti Nuraini, Yuana Dwi Agustin, dan Damon Wicaksi, “Pesantren as Agent of Wasathiyah on Responding The Problems of The Indonesian Community in The Society 5.0 Era (Case Study of Alumni Abuya Sayyid Muhammad Bin Alawi Al-Maliki)” International Conference on Humanity Education and Society (ICHES) 2, no. 1, (2023).
Muzadi, Abdul Muchith. NU dalam Perspektif Sejarah & Ajaran. Surabaya: Khalista, 2006.
———. NU dan Fiqh Kontekstual. 1 ed. Yogyakarta: LKPSM, 1994.
Noveck, Beth Simone. Smart Citizens, Smarter State: The Technologies of Expertise and the Future of Governing. Massachusetts, USA.: Harvard University Press, 2015.
———. “Solving Public Problems: A Practical Guide to Fix Our Government and Change Our World,” 320. Connecticut, USA.: Yale University Press, 2021.
Rachman, A., Saumantri, T., & Hidayatulloh, T, “Transformation of Religious Authority in The Digital Era: A Post-Normal Times Analysis by Ziauddin Sardar on The Phenomenon of Social Media Da’wah”. Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah, 45, no. 1, (2025) : 107–122. https://doi.org/10.21580/jid.v45.1.25644
Riduwan dan Erwan Aristyanto, “Digital Transformation of Waqf Management: Innovation Pathways and Policy Directions in Muslim-Majority Developing Countries”, Muslim Heritage 10, No.2, (04 Desember, 2025), 307-325.
Ridwan, Nur Khaliq. Masa Depan NU. Yogyakarta: IRCiSoD, 2019.
Sassen, S, “Territory, Authority, Rights: From Medieval to Global Assemblages”, (Princeton University Press, 2006).
Sassen, S, "A Sociology of Globalization". New York: W.W. Norton, 2007.
Sassen, S, Territory, Authority, Rights: From Medieval to Global Assemblages. New Jersey, USA.: Princeton University Press, 2008.
Sassen, S, EXPULSIONS: Brutality and Complexity in the Global Economy. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.: Harvard University Press, 2014.
Schutz, Alfred. The Phenomenology of the Social World. Evanston, Illinois, USA.: Northwestern University Press, 1967.
Sipayung, Parulihan. “Fenomena Pemberhalaan Agama.” Indonesian Journal of Theology, Vol. 2, No. 2. (Desember, 2014): 155-178. doi:10.46567/ijt.v2i2.73.
Sobary, Mohamad. NU dan Keindonesiaan. 2 ed. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2013.
Syarnubi, Septia Fahiroh, dan Ahmed J. Obaid, “Integration of Islamic Values in The Ningkuk Ritual: A Model of Character Education Based on Local Wisdom in South Sumatra”, Muslim Heritage 10, no.2, (Desember 2025), 169-184.
Wahid, Abdurrahman. Islam Nusantara dari Ushul Fiqh Hingga Paham Kebangsaan. 3 ed. Bandung: Mitra Pustaka, 2016.
Wazis, Kun. “Pertarungan persepsi budaya maya dalam masyarakat digital,” Jurnal Mediakom, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Juni, 2017.): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.35760/MKM.2017.V1I1.1878.G1778
Wuryanta, Ag. E. W. “Digitalisasi Masyarakat: Menilik Kekuatan dan Kelemahan Dinamika Era Informasi Digital dan Masyarakat Informasi.” Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Desember, 2004): 131-142. https://doi.org/10.24002/jik.v1i2.163.
Yaqin, Muhammad Ainul., Purwanto, Agung., Yanuar, Hanif Fadli., Wahyudi, Jodi., Prasetya, Putra Febtiar., Putra, Roby Perdiansyah., & Asbari, Masduki. “Peran Masyarakat dalam Perkembangan Iptek yang Semakin Maju.” Journal of Community Service and Engagement, Vol. 2, No. 6 (Desember, 2022): 44-52.
Yudistira, R., Muta’allim., Nurcaya., Julhadi., & Pattiasina, P. J. “The Role of Linguistics and Local Wisdom on Knowing Harmony between Religions at Tana Toraja”. Jurnal Muslim Heritage. Vol. 7, No. 2. (Desember 26, 2022): 409-431. https://doi.org/10.21154/muslimheritage.v7i2.5023
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 One Untoro; Hartoyo, Hertanto; Nawiruddin, Shobahussurur
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Requirements to be met by the author as follows:
- Author storing copyright and grant the journal right of first publication manuscripts simultaneously with licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with a statement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors can enter into the preparation of additional contractual separately for non-exclusive distribution of a rich version of the journal issue (eg:post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with the recognition of initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are allowed and encouraged to post their work online (eg, in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, because it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as citations earlier and more severe than published works. (see The Effect of Open Access).
