The Tradition of the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Reception of Wetu Telu Adherents in Bayan Village, North Lombok Regency towards Mah}abbah in Surah Ali Imran Verse 31)

Abstract

Wetu Telu is a belief system and religious practice still adhered to by some Sasak Muslims in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The aim of this study is to identify the forms of practice and understanding of the reception patterns of mah}abbah that occur in Lombok and to explore the arguments behind the reception of mah}abbah among Wetu Telu adherents. The research questions in this study include: What is the general meaning of mah}abbah in the Qur'an, How do Wetu Telu Muslims in Bayan Village celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Maulid Nabi), and What are the reception patterns and objectives of Wetu Telu adherents in interpreting mah}abbah based on Surah Ali 'Imran verse 31? This study employs a qualitative descriptive method. The qualitative approach involves gathering information in a natural setting using scientific methods. Meanwhile, the descriptive method seeks to describe a specific object or historical event, followed by an effort to draw general conclusions based on historical facts-one of which is conducted through interviews. The findings of this study indicate that the reception of mah}abbah among Wetu Telu adherents, as reflected in Surah Ali 'Imran verse 31, manifests in a different form of love compared to mainstream Muslims in its application. Wetu Telu adherents integrate local cultural traditions and perform rituals in their religious activities. In applying the theoretical framework of this study, the encoding process refers to Sunan Prapen, who introduced the Qur'an to Wetu Telu followers through Sufi mystical teachings. As a result, cultural syncretism remains prevalent among its adherents today. Meanwhile, the decoding or reception pattern of mah}abbah varies: a small portion of adherents accept the meaning of the Qur'anic text in its entirety, known as hegemonic dominance, while the majority contextualise the text, a process referred to as negotiation