The Representation of the Prophet Muhammad in Caricatures and al-Shamā’il al-Muhammadiyyah: A Semiotic Perspective

Agus Gunawan; Munawwar Muhammad Rizal

Article Details

The Representation of the Prophet Muhammad in Caricatures and al-Shamā’il al-Muhammadiyyah: A Semiotic Perspective

Authors:

Agus Gunawan | Munawwar Muhammad Rizal

Publisher:

LPPM UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri

Main Topics:

Religion | Humanities | Education

Journal:

UNIVERSUM : Jurnal KeIslaman dan Kebudayaan Vol.20 Issue 1, pp.0-0

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001865414

pISSN:

1978-6948

Abstract:

 The representation of the Prophet Muhammad in contemporary discourse raises important questions regarding how the prophetic figure is constructed, interpreted, and negotiated through visual and textual media. This study aims to analyse representations of the Prophet Muhammad in caricatures and al-Shamā’il al-Muḥammadiyyah using a semiotic perspective. This study employs a qualitative approach utilising text and visual analysis methods. The research data consists of some caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad, as well as hadith narratives in al-Shamā’il al-Muḥammadiyyah containing descriptions of his physical appearance, character and personality. The analysis was conducted by identifying signs, symbols, codes and relationships of meaning that shape the construction of the Prophet’s representation in both media. The research findings indicate that caricatures tend to construct representations of the Prophet through visual signs that are symbolic, contextual, and often linked to specific socio-political discourses. Meanwhile, al-Shamā’il al-Muḥammadiyyah presents representations of the Prophet through verbal descriptions that emphasise his physical appearance, moral character, personality, and exemplary conduct. These differences in medium result in distinct constructions of meaning, yet both demonstrate that the representation of the Prophet is a process of meaning-making influenced by systems of signs and cultural contexts. This study underscores the importance of semiotics in analysing the dynamics of the Prophet’s representation within classical and contemporary Islamic discourse.

Article Details

The Representation of the Prophet Muhammad in Caricatures and al-Shamā’il al-Muhammadiyyah: A Semiotic Perspective

Authors: Agus Gunawan | Munawwar Muhammad Rizal

Publisher: LPPM UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri

Main Topics: Religion | Humanities | Education

Journal: UNIVERSUM : Jurnal KeIslaman dan Kebudayaan Vol.20 Issue 1, pp.0-0

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2026

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001865414

pISSN: 1978-6948

Issues

Authors:

Agus Gunawan | Munawwar Muhammad Rizal

Publisher:

LPPM UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri

Main Topics:

Religion | Humanities | Education

Journal:

UNIVERSUM : Jurnal KeIslaman dan Kebudayaan Vol.20 Issue 1, pp.0-0

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2026

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001865414

pISSN:

1978-6948