The Representation of Sufi Shaṭaḥāt in Dewa 19's Song “Satu”: A Psychospiritual and Popular Culture Analysis
Moh. Zainul Arif, Muhammad Zaelani
ESOTERIK June 30, 2026 DOI: 10.21043/esoterik.v12i1.36971 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative library research with hermeneutical and interpretive textual analysis Peer reviewed |
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| Key findings | Argues that the lyrics of Dewa 19's "Satu" represent existential unity, self-transcendence, and dissolution of the ego, and that these themes reflect symbolic patterns associated with syaṭaḥāt and ittiḥād in the Sufi tradition. Contends that classical Sufi mystical language is transformed into contemporary cultural expression, contributing a psychospiritual perspective to Sufism studies. |
Abstract
This article explores syaṭaḥāt as a form of mystical expression in Sufi tradition and its representation in Indonesian popular culture through the analysis of the lyrics of “Satu” by Dewa 19. Previous studies have primarily examined syaṭaḥāt within historical and theological discussions of classical Sufi figures, leaving its contemporary cultural manifestations insufficiently explored. This study aims to investigate how Sufi mystical expressions are reconstructed in modern artistic discourse. Employing qualitative library research, this study analyzes the song lyrics as the primary source through hermeneutical and interpretive textual analysis, supported by classical and contemporary Sufi literature on syaṭaḥāt, fanāʾ, and ittiḥād. The findings indicate that “Satu” represents existential unity, self-transcendence, and dissolution of ego, reflecting symbolic patterns associated with syaṭaḥāt and ittiḥād. This study contributes a psychospiritual perspective that expands Sufism studies by demonstrating the transformation of mystical language from classical texts into contemporary cultural expressions.