Competing for Spiritual Authority in Majelis Sholawat Al-Banjari (MSB) in Serdang Bedagai

The paper described the struggle for spiritual authority occurred in the Majelis Sholawat al-Banjari (MSB) in Serdang Bedagai, North Sumatra. This research aims to explained the occurrence of power struggles that began with conflicts between Tuan Guru MSB who questioned the source of spiritual authority regarding the practice of reciting Maulid Simtudduror. This research attempted to collect factual data through observation, interviews, and documentation using a field study. The data is described descriptively and analytically to illustrate how the struggle for spiritual authority is played out and how spiritual authority is formed, fought for, and defended. The results of the study explain that the struggle for authority is influenced by the source of spiritual authority by claiming that Tuan Guru has an ijazah/sanad. In contrast, another Tuan Guru claims to be waliyullah to gain support from the congregation and the Banjar community to fight over who has the most right to be the deliverer and teacher in the MSB. The struggle ends with Tuan Guru MSB who has an ijazah/sanad that has authenticity value as evidence of teachings that connect the teaching of reading Maulid Simtudduror to Guru Sekumpul as a student of legitimate spiritual authority. Meanwhile, recognition as waliyullah is only a form of strengthening Tuan Guru in playing the role of spiritual authority to gain the support of the congregation and the trust of urang Banjar.