Ritual Keagamaan Sebagai Sarana Pendidikan Karakter Dalam Identitas Sosial

Studi Sosiologis Tradisi Maulid Nabi di Indonesia

Abstract

The commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s Mawlid in Indonesia is not merely a ceremonial religious ritual but a profound social phenomenon that reflects the collective identity of Muslim communities. This tradition embodies both spiritual and social meanings, serving as a medium for strengthening solidarity, social cohesion, and religious identity. This study aims to explore the social functions, community integration, and symbolic meanings of the Mawlid celebration within the context of Indonesian society. The research employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method by examining a wide range of academic sources, including reputable journals, dissertations, theses, and scholarly books relevant to religious rituals and social identity theory. The analysis is grounded in Social Identity Theory developed by Henri Tajfel and John C. Turner, which provides a framework to understand how collective consciousness and group belonging are constructed through religious practice. The findings reveal that the Mawlid tradition plays three essential roles: as a social function that reinforces interpersonal and communal relationships, as a means of community integration that transcends social and cultural boundaries, and as a symbolic representation of prophetic values such as compassion, humility, and unity. In conclusion, the celebration of the Prophet’s Mawlid serves as a vital cultural and religious institution that shapes an inclusive, adaptive, and harmonious Islamic social identity in Indonesia, representing a living model of Islam Nusantara that balances theological devotion with social engagement.