Reconstructing Pulpit Professionalism: Standardization of MUI Preachers in Facing the Commodification of Contemporary Preaching
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63738/aslama.v3i3.70Keywords:
Da'wah Commodification, Da'i Standardization, Pulpit Professionalism, Religious Authority, Islam WasathiyahAbstract
The phenomenon of da'wah commodification in the contemporary era has shifted the orientation of religious messaging from spiritual education to market-oriented popular culture commodities. This has significantly impacted the degradation of da'wah quality and the emergence of popular preachers (da'i) who often lack adequate scholarly authority. This study aims to analyze the urgency and implementation of the da'i standardization program by the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) as a strategy for reconstructing pulpit professionalism amidst the wave of religious commercialization. This study employs a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytical approach, supported by data collection through literature studies and document analysis of MUI's official guidelines and contemporary religious discourses. The results indicate that MUI's da'i standardization functions effectively as a quality control mechanism to restore religious authority based on scholarly lineage (sanad), da'wah ethics, and national insight. This program offers an antithesis to the industrialization of religion by mandating basic competencies and a comprehensive understanding of Islam Wasathiyah (moderate Islam). In conclusion, the da'i standardization policy is not a form of restricting freedom of expression, but rather an essential mitigation measure in reconstructing preacher professionalism. This step is crucial to safeguard the dignity of the pulpit from pragmatic commodification practices while protecting the ummah (Muslim community) from potential misinformation and religious polarization.
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