The Shift In Religious Authority And The Emergence Of New Public Spaces For Nonformal Pie: A Comparative Analysis Between Traditional Kiai And Hijrah Ustaz On Social Media

Abstract

The development of social media has changed the pattern of production, distribution, and reception of religious knowledge, thus forming a new public space for non-formal Islamic Religious Education (PAI) in Indonesia. These changes have given rise to a contest of authority between traditional kiai based on scientific sanad, mastery of the book of turats, and community recognition, and ustaz hijrah who take advantage of digital popularity, communicative proximity, and thematic content packaging. This study aims to analyze shifts in religious authority, differences in learning models, and patterns of contestation, adaptation, and convergence of the two actors on social media. The research uses a qualitative approach with a comparative netnography design through observation of content, audience interaction, and religious representation on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok platforms during the period 2024–2026. The results of the study show that traditional kiai maintain legitimacy through depth of argumentation, textual reference, and continuous pedagogical relations, while hijrah ustaz gains legitimacy through visibility, personal narrative, practical relevance, and follower involvement. This study concludes that digitalization does not remove traditional authority, but rather results in the hybridization of religious authority. The novelty of the research lies in the relational analysis between the two actors in the context of digital non-formal PAI. The implication is that the development of non-formal PAI needs to integrate scientific validity, media creativity, digital-religious literacy, and dialogue ethics to build moderate, inclusive, critical, and responsible Islamic learning.