Determinants of Sufi engagement among Javanese Muslims: socio-religious and psychological perspectives

This study aims to address the limitations of quantitative research on the factors driving individual involvement in Sufi orders in Indonesia, particularly among the Javanese community. The study aims to analyse the influence of spiritual needs, social influence, religious knowledge, life crises, and cultural traditions on involvement in Sufi orders. A quantitative approach was employed through a survey of 400 tarekat members in Central Java, which was then analysed using Structural Equation Modelling. The results indicate that spiritual needs are the most dominant factor, followed by social influence, religious knowledge, and life crises, while cultural traditions exert a relatively weaker influence. These findings suggest that involvement in Sufi orders is increasingly influenced by a personal spiritual quest, without disregarding the role of social networks and cultural heritage. This study enriches our understanding of contemporary religious participation in Muslim societies.