What Is Religious Authority? Cultivating Islamic Communities in Indonesia.

The book review discusses Ismail Fajrie Alatas's book "What Is Religious Authority? Cultivating Islamic Communities in Indonesia," which explores the polyphonic reality of Islam in Indonesia through the story of Sufi master Habib Luthfi. Alatas combines historical analysis with ethnographic research to examine how Habib Luthfi, despite not coming from a lineage of Islamic scholars, gained authority and built a community. The book delves into the shifting paradigms of religious authority in Islam, emphasizing the importance of connecting the Prophetic past to create a community and acquire religious authority. Alatas's work is praised for its interdisciplinary approach and contribution to understanding the complexities of Islamic communities in Indonesia. [Extracted from the article]

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