Exposing the Distortion of Faith and Jurisprudence in Bidaah (2025) Through Social Criticism in Cinema

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the representation of social criticism against deviant religious practices in the film Bidaah and evaluate it through an integrative framework of Islamic theology, Islamic law, and media studies. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a content analysis approach, strengthened by semiotic analysis to uncover layers of meaning embedded in its narrative and visual codes. The main data source is the film Bidaah, which is analysed through thematic identification techniques for scenes and dialogue that contain representations of deviant religious practices. The analysis combined normative evaluation using the Qur’an, hadith, and Islamic scholarship with semiotic interpretation of the film’s visual, symbolic, and narrative strategies as a cinematic text. The research results show that the film Bidaah represents various forms of deviation from faith and jurisprudence, such as cults of spiritual figures that lead to shirk, superstition in the form of seeking blessings that are not syar'i, inner marriages without harmony and legal conditions, as well as polygamy and divorce which are carried out based on ideological pressure, not the principles of justice and consent. At the same time, the film employs dramatic narratives and visual metaphors to highlight how religion is manipulated to legitimize the power of spiritual figures, which creates blind obedience and erodes the rationality of the people. The conclusion of this research is that the film Bidaah not only presents a fictional narrative, but also opens up a reflective space for the phenomenon of deviation in religious practice that actually occurs in society. The film’s representation provides criticism of the dominance of a single interpretation, abuse of religious authority, and the blurring of sharia institutions such as marriage and family. This research has important significance in the study of religious representation in popular media. With an integrative approach between media studies, semiotics, and Islamic law, this study contributes to developing a more critical and contextual religious discourse.