Transformations and contestations of Islamic authority : traditionalist Muslim resistance to Bā’alawī in contemporary Indonesia

Abstract

This thesis investigates the growing resistance over the past three years by certain traditionalist Muslim leaders and scholars in Indonesia towards the Bā’alawī, a Hadhrami group claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad. Initiated by Imaduddin Utsman through a critical examination of lineage records, this initial rejection has led to widespread reactions against the Bā’alawī lineage. These narratives of rejection (Bā’alawī rejectionists) have proliferated across social media, Islamic study assemblies (majlis taklim), and academic platforms. Conversely, responses from the Bā’alawī and their traditionalist supporters (Bā’alawī supporters) affirm the authenticity of their lineage. This phenomenon is unprecedented, given the historically esteemed position of the Bā’alawī within traditionalist Muslim contexts. This research identifies this phenomenon as a contestation of religious authority within traditionalist circles. It elucidates the underlying reasons, the processes through which it unfolds, and its impact on both the religious authority of the Bā’alawī and the broader authority of traditionalist Islam. Drawing on Anthony Giddens' structuration theory, this study indicates that the traditionalist rejection and reactions towards the Bā’alawī is a sociological phenomenon arising from the interaction between actors (Bā’alawī rejectionists) and social structures. Employing a qualitative approach that includes interviews, observations, and documentation, this research uncovers the motives and reasons behind the rejection from traditionalist NU circles towards the existence of the Bā’alawī. Through analyzing narratives from both Bā’alawī rejectionists and supporters, the study argues that the rejection is driven not only by theological differences but also by complex socio-political dynamics. The transformation of traditionalist societal structures, influenced by globalization and digitalization, reshapes the perception and practice of religious authority, leading to contests between traditional actors and new authorities, as well as among traditional authorities themselves.