The Practice of Salawat Nariyah in Rural Javanese Society Indonesia: Religiosity or Sociality?

Abstract

This study aims to understand the religious practice of Salawat Nariyah within traditional Javanese Muslims in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Even though the Salawat Nariyah is a ritual prayer, the Salawat is also intended for social and cultural purposes. However, limited studies have been conducted to understand whether the Salawat Nariyah practice has functioned as ritual or social purposes. Through the use of socio-religious theory, this study employed a qualitative approach to understanding the Salawat Nariyah as a religious and social function within the community. Data were gathered from a three months observation, two focus groups discussion, and in-depth interviews with involved Salawat Nariyah participants. The findings show that the Salawat Nariyah is about religious practices, social and cultural practices to strengthen social bonds by combining the practice of Salawat Nariyah and social activities. The Salawat Nariyah also play function as a connection binding between the community culture and the religious system in which the communities consider the Salawat Nāriyah as a means to bring them closer with God to seek protection, but at the same time, the Salawat Nariyah is considered as magic to protect them from evil spirits.