Constructing Social Critique as Ethical Discourse in Indonesian Popular Religious Literature: A Content Analysis of Husein Ja‘far Al-Hadar’s Tuhan Ada di Hatimu

Ahmad Farid Fanani; Muhammad Taufik; Aisah Bella-Salsa; Muhammad Zainal Abidin; Muhammad Yusuf Pratama

doi:10.31291/jlka.v24i1.1494

Authors

Ahmad Farid Fanani Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta
Muhammad Taufik Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta
Aisah Bella-Salsa International Islamic University Malaysia
Muhammad Zainal Abidin Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari Banjarmasin
Muhammad Yusuf Pratama Walisongo State Islamic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31291/jlka.v24i1.1494

Keywords:

Social Critique, Religiosity, Religious Inclusivism, Religious Literacy, Religious Ethics

Abstract

Religious intolerance and exclusivism remain challenges in Indonesia’s plural society, particularly when religious practices tend to be confined to symbolism and formalism that do not adequately reflect ethical values. Previous studies have positioned religious literature as a medium for transmitting moral and inclusive values; however, most of them focus on normative and philosophical aspects and provide limited empirical explanation of how social critique is constructed and articulated within popular religious works. This gap is significant given the broad reach of popular literature in shaping public perceptions of religious practice. Addressing this gap, this study aims to analyze the forms of social critique in Tuhan Ada di Hatimu (God Resides in Your Heart) by Husein Ja‘far Al-Hadar and examine their relevance to contemporary Indonesian religiosity. The study employs a qualitative library-based approach using content analysis to identify key themes of critique, including excessive conservatism, judgmental culture, and the politicization of religious symbols. The findings show that the work not only reflects socio-religious conditions but also constructs critique through a narrative that emphasizes self-reflection, empathy, and contextual understanding of religious teachings. These results indicate that popular religious literature can function as a medium for articulating social critique that bridges religious texts and social realities. Theoretically, this study contributes by demonstrating how content analysis can be used to uncover the construction of social critique in popular religious narratives, while also expanding discussions on religious literature as a site for articulating social critique within contemporary religiosity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abror, Muhamad, Lufaefi, M. Adib Misbachul Islam, Yasrul Huda, and Muhammad Nuril Fauzan. “Reading Al-Ibānah: Habib Salim Bin Jindan’s Eclectic Responses to Islamic Ritual Debates in Early 20th Century Indonesia.” Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan 23, no. 2 (December 31, 2025): 806–41. https://doi.org/10.31291/jlka.v23i2.1329.

Addzaky, Khoirul Umam, Uswatun Hasanah, Ida Faridatul Hasanah, and Muhammad Asy’ari Ari. “Contextualizing Liberation Theology in Indonesian Religious Literature through the Contributions of K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid.” Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan 23, no. 1 (June 30, 2025): 142–78. https://doi.org/10.31291/jlka.v23i1.1285.

Akmaliah, Wahyudi, and Ibnu Nadzir. “The ‘Elective Affinity’ of Islamic Populism, Mobilization and Social Media: A Case Study of Indonesian Politic Identity Within the Three Elections.” Studia Islamika 31, no. 1 (April 30, 2024): 31–61. https://doi.org/10.36712/sdi.v31i1.36305.

Al-Hadar, Husein Ja’far. Tuhan Ada Di Hatimu: Tak Di Ka ‘bah, Di Vatikan, Atau Di Tembok Ratapan. Noura Books, 2022.

Amani, Cut Shabrina Dzati, and Lulu Almaknun. “Harmony in Commerce: Tolerance Communication Practices in the Chinatown District of Kelenteng Street, Bandung.” Theosinesis: Journal of Integrative Understanding and Ethical Praxis 2, no. 1 (2026): 29–38. https://doi.org/10.20625/theosyn.v2i1.092.

Aryasatya, Agustian Bhaskoro Abimana. “Komodifikasi Agama Melalui Iklan Televisi (Studi Kasus Iklan Televisi Berlabel Halal).” Jurnal Pustaka Ilmiah 4, no. 1 (August 14, 2019): 515. https://doi.org/10.20961/jpi.v4i1.33802.

Azizi, Alfian Qodri, Muhammad Faiq, and Thiyas Tono Taufiq. “Building The Foundation Of Religious Tolerance And Countering Radicalism Ideology In Indonesia.” Jurnal Sosiologi Agama 15, no. 2 (December 31, 2021): 191. https://doi.org/10.14421/jsa.2021.152-03.

Basya, Muhammad Hilali, and Hamka Hamka. “Cultural Capital, Islamism, and Political Distrust in Indonesia General Election: An Ethnicity-Based Community Engaged in Islamic Defenders Front (FPI).” Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies 13, no. 2 (December 31, 2023): 253–77. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v13i2.253-277.

Budiana, I Nyoman. “Legitimacy of the Dissolution of Beliefs by Community Organizations.” International Journal of Research in Community Services 3, no. 1 (January 2022): 35–45. https://doi.org/10.46336/ijrcs.v3i1.182.

Creswell, John W, and Cheryl N Poth. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches. Sage publications, 2016.

Danugroho, Agus. “Defects of Democracy: The Continuity of Identity Politics in Post-Reform Regional Elections.” Jurnal Sosiologi Dialektika 19, no. 1 (July 30, 2024): 89–101. https://doi.org/10.20473/jsd.v19i1.2024.89-101.

Hakim, Muhammad Lukman, Indah Dwi Qurbani, and Abdul Wahid. “A Paradox between Religious Conviction and Recognizing the Freedom of Others on Measuring Religious (in) Tolerance Index in East Java, Indonesia.” Cogent Social Sciences 9, no. 1 (December 2023). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2191443.

Hakim, Putri Rahmah Nur, Irwan Abdullah, Tabrani ZA, Annisa Dwi Lestari, and Nur Rif’ah Hasaniy. “Negotiating Religious Identity In Digital Communication Discourse: A Study Of Acehnese Hijab Tiktokers.” Journal of Contemporary Islam and Muslim Societies 9, no. 2 (December 22, 2025): 323. https://doi.org/10.30821/jcims.v9i2.25583.

Hayat, Nahrul, and Nurhakki Nurhakki. “Religion Identity And Political Polarization: How Does Labeling Make It Worst?” Palita: Journal of Social Religion Research 7, no. 1 (April 10, 2022): 51–66. https://doi.org/10.24256/pal.v7i1.2715.

Irawan, Andi Muhammad, and Zifirdaus Adnan. “The Ahmadiyya, Blasphemy and Religious Freedom: The Institutional Discourse Analysis of Religious Discrimination in Indonesia.” Muslim World Journal of Human Rights 18, no. 1 (September 27, 2021): 79–102. https://doi.org/10.1515/mwjhr-2020-0034.

Ismanto, Hadi, Nurul Murtadho, Punaji Setyosari, and Bambang Budi Wiyono. “Religiosity and Attitudes: A Study of Indonesian Islamic Primary School Students.” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 16, no. 3 (July 30, 2024): 3289–99. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i3.5564.

Jegalus, Nobertus. “Identity Politics and Religious Recognition in Indonesian Democracy: A Post-Secular Perspective.” Muharrik: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial 7, no. 2 (October 2024): 419–31. https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v7i2.7086.

Kautsar, Balya Haikal Hizbullah Al-, and Fatimah Azzahro. “Politicizing the Sacred: Conflict and Power in Contemporary Qur’anic Interpretation.” SYMPHONIA: Journal of Theory and Research Output 1, no. 2 (2026): 12–27. https://darulilmijournal.com/index.php/symphonia/article/view/142.

Khamdani, Muhammad Fajar Noor, and Muhammad Royhan. “From Exclusivism to Tolerance: Religious Moderation and the Prevention of Religious Blasphemy in Indonesia.” Mishkat: Journal of Theology and Civilization 1, no. 1 (2026): 1–15. https://perfidiajournal.com/index.php/mishkat/article/view/1.

Khoiriyah, Tri Era, Muh. Nur Rochim Maksum, Mutohharun Jinan, and Muthoifin. “Internalization of Religiosity Values in the Novel ‘Merasa Pintar, Bodoh Saja Tak Punya’ by Rusdi Mathari.” In Proceedings of the International Conference on Islamic and Muhammadiyah Studies (ICIMS 2023), 366–74, 2024. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-102-9_34.

Kosasih, Engkos, Mohammad Rindu Fajar Islamy, and Rizzaldy Satria Wiwaha. “Artificial Intelligence in the Era of Society 5.0: Compromising Technological Innovation Through TheWasathiyyah Approach within the Framework of Islamic Law.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 9, no. 2 (September 20, 2024): 551–72. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i2.9596.

Kurnia, Dea, Wanti Nur Aprilian, and M Nurul Ikhsan Saleh. “Analisis Nilai-Nilai Ketauhidan Dalam Buku Tuhan Ada Di Hatimu Karya Habib Husein Ja’far Al-Hadar Dan Relevansinya Terhadap Pendidikan Agama Islam.” At-Thullab : Jurnal Mahasiswa Studi Islam 5, no. 3 (October 2023): 1365–78. https://doi.org/10.20885/tullab.vol5.iss3.art4.

Leite, Ângela, Bruno Nobre, and Paulo Dias. “Religious Identity, Religious Practice, and Religious Beliefs across Countries and World Regions.” Archive for the Psychology of Religion 45, no. 2 (July 25, 2023): 107–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/00846724221150024.

Lestari, Rizqiani Dian, Ayu Sulistya Putri Sugeng, and Fajar Harits. “Commodification Of Religion’s Value On Instagram Content-Study Case: Safi Indonesia.” Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Teknologi 4, no. 10 (October 25, 2023): 1869–78. https://doi.org/10.59141/jist.v4i10.772.

Lolong, Wenly Ronald Jefferson, and Adensi Timomor. “Moral Conflict: Balancing Human Rights and Worship Regulation in Indonesia.” Jurnal Moral Kemasyarakatan 10, no. 1 (June 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.21067/jmk.v10i1.11705.

Makiah, Zulpa, Noorhaidi Hasan, Lisda Aisyah, and Ali Sodiqin. “A Convergence In A Religion Commodification And An Expression Of Piety In Halal Certification.” Khazanah: Jurnal Studi Islam Dan Humaniora 20, no. 2 (December 31, 2022): 153. https://doi.org/10.18592/khazanah.v20i2.7113.

Marshall, Paul. “The Ambiguities of Religious Freedom in Indonesia.” Review of Faith and International Affairs 16, no. 1 (January 2, 2018): 85–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/15570274.2018.1433588.

Marwantika, Asna Istya, and Kazeem Oluwaseun Dauda. “Da’wah in the Algorithmic Era: Investigating Bias and Validity of Islamic Artificial Intelligence Applications.” MUHARRIK: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial 8, no. 2 (September 1, 2025): 01–19. https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v8i2.7730.

Mayberry, John. “‘Islamic Medicine’: A True Discipline for the 21st Century or Quackery?” Medico-Legal Journal 90, no. 1 (March 14, 2022): 32–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/00258172211059919.

Miles, Matthew B, and A Michael Huberman. Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. 2nd ed. Sage Publications, 1994.

Mujani, Saiful. “Explaining Religio-Political Tolerance Among Muslims: Evidence from Indonesia.” Studia Islamika 26, no. 2 (August 13, 2019): 319–51. https://doi.org/10.15408/sdi.v26i2.11237.

Oparin, Dmitriy. “Spiritual Authority and Religious Introspection among Muslim Migrants in Western Siberia.” Problems of Post-Communism 67, no. 4–5 (September 2, 2020): 362–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/10758216.2019.1616566.

Palewai, Muhammad Salman. “Messages of Da‘wah for Non-Muslims in the Novel Ayat-Ayat Cinta.” Al-Irsyad: Journal of Islamic and Contemporary Issues 7, no. 1 (June 22, 2022): 757–66. https://doi.org/10.53840/alirsyad.v7i1.233.

Papakostas, Christos. “Artificial Intelligence in Religious Education: Ethical, Pedagogical, and Theological Perspectives.” Religions 16, no. 5 (April 28, 2025): 563. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16050563.

Rahmalestari, Widya, Aswar, and Fiqi Restu Subekti. “Humanisme Sebagai Etika Politik: Relasi Negara Dan Agama Dalam Pemikiran Abdurrahman Wahid.” Takuana: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains, Dan Humaniora 4, no. 4 (March 4, 2026): 1942–52. https://doi.org/10.56113/takuana.v4i4.305.

Rohmana, Jajang A. “UGA SUNDANESE AHMADIYYA: LOCALITY OF MAHDIISM IN WEST JAVA.” Al-A’raf : Jurnal Pemikiran Islam Dan Filsafat 17, no. 2 (December 23, 2020): 227–58. https://doi.org/10.22515/ajpif.v17i2.2750.

Rozikin, Imam, Ermaya Suradinata, Deti Mulyati, and Mansyur Achmad. “Narrative Politics And The Limits Of Religious Governance In Decentralized Indonesia: The Case Of Hkbp Maranatha In Cilegon, Indonesia.” Penamas 38, no. 1 (July 10, 2025): 393–408. https://doi.org/10.31330/penamas.v38i1.830.

Sahide, Ahmad, Muhammad Azhar, and Sidik Jatmika. “The Role of Local Elite in the Transformation of Intolerant Values in Indonesia.” International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding 9, no. 12 (December 11, 2022): 210. https://doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v9i12.4138.

Salahuddin, Amar, Faradilla Intan Sari, Dian Okta Vinola, and Gingga Prananda. “The Multicultural Values in the Novel ‘99 Cahaya Di Langit Eropa’ and Their Application in Literary Education.” Scaffolding: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Dan Multikulturalisme 7, no. 1 (June 26, 2025): 776–90. https://doi.org/10.37680/scaffolding.v7i1.7109.

Sari, Eka Fitriyana, Muhammad Zuhal Hafiizh, and Khoirul Mazid. “The Strategic Role of Religious Moderation in Mitigating Conflict and Religious Blasphemy in Indonesia.” Theosinesis: Journal of Integrative Understanding and Ethical Praxis 1, no. 1 SE-Articles (2025): 25–35. https://doi.org/10.20625/theosyn.v1i1.011.

Sembiring, Walid Musthafa, Subhilhar, Heri Kusmanto, and Hatta Ridho. “The Politicization of Religion and Polarization of Hate in the 2018 North Sumatra Regional Head Election Indonesia.” Pharos Journal of Theology 104, no. 3 (June 2023): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.328.

Smith, Jesse. “Linking Religious Upbringing to Young Adult Moral Formation.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 62, no. 3 (September 4, 2023): 481–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/jssr.12835.

Subchi, Imam, Zulkifli Zulkifli, Rena Latifa, and Sholikatus Sa’diyah. “Religious Moderation in Indonesian Muslims.” Religions 13, no. 5 (2022): 451. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13050451.

Suntana, Ija, and Betty Tresnawaty. “The Tough Slog of a Moderate Religious State: Highly Educated Muslims and the Problem of Intolerance in Indonesia.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 78, no. 1 (November 10, 2022). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i1.7933.

Syafrizal, Muhammad, and Hasyimsyah Nasution. “Konsep Tuhan Menurut Pemikiran Habib Husain Ja’far Al-Hadar Dalam Buku ‘Tuhan Ada Di Hatimu.’” Asian Journal of Islamic Studies and Da’wah 1, no. 2 (November 20, 2023): 399–406. https://doi.org/10.58578/ajisd.v1i2.2114.

Tonković, Željka, Sven Marcelić, and Krešimir Krolo. “Between Engagement and Disengagement in Contemporary Global Culture. Types of Cultural Consumers among Youth in Adriatic Croatia.” Cultural Trends 31, no. 5 (October 20, 2022): 490–510. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2021.2018912.

Ulya, Ulya. “Philosophical Messages In Tuhan Maha Asyik Novel For Religious Inclusivity.” Kanz Philosophia: A Journal for Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism 9, no. 1 (June 19, 2023). https://doi.org/10.20871/kpjipm.v9i1.271.

Wahyono, Zubaidi, Alizaman D. Gamon, and Maulana Akbar Shah. “Religious Tolerance in Southeast Asia: Issues and Challenges.” AL-ITQAN: Journal Of Islamic Sciences And Comparative Studies 9, no. 2 (December 29, 2024): 24–53. https://doi.org/10.31436/alitqan.v9i2.297.

Whitehouse, Harvey. “Rethinking Ritual: How Rituals Made Our World and How They Could Save It.” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 30, no. 1 (March 11, 2024): 115–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.14048.

Widian, Rizky, Putu Agung Nara Indra Prima Satya, and Sylvia Yazid. “Religion in Indonesia’s Elections: An Implementation of a Populist Strategy?” Politics and Religion 16, no. 2 (June 11, 2023): 351–73. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755048321000195.

Zulaili, Iin Nur, Muhammad Khodafi, Muchamad Saiful Muluk, Moh. Iqbal Nafi, and Ahmad Nabil Nasyiri. “Ethical Critique of Polygamy in the Early 20th Century Javanese Manuscript Alakirabi Wayuh Kaliyan Botên.” Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan 23, no. 2 (December 31, 2025): 462–90. https://doi.org/10.31291/jlka.v23i2.1345.