Returning from Mecca, Darwis changes his name to Ahmad Dahlan as he is disturbed by the trend of Islamic laws in his society; that borders on heresy, Syrik (polytheism), and Bid’ah (wrong innovation). Using a compass, he proves that the direction of Qibla (that points to Mecca), in the Great Mosque of Kauman is wrong. The discovery angers every Kyai (Islamic experts), especially the head of the Great Mosque of Kauman, Kyai Penghulu Cholil Kamaludiningrat. Dahlan, who studied in Mecca for five years, is seen as a rebel upstart. Since the proposal of changing the direction of Qibla is rejected, Dahlan starts a movement calling for the change. On his first sermon as a preacher, Dahlan criticizes the habits of residents in his village in Yogyakarta: "In a prayer, only a sincere and patient heart is needed, it requires no Kyais, money, let alone offerings". As a result, Dahlan gets a hostile reception.
Lukman Sardi
as Kyai Haji Ahmad Dahlan
Slamet Rahardjo
as Kyai Penghulu Cholil Kamaludiningrat
Zaskia Adya Mecca
as Nyai Walidah
Marsha Natika
as Nyai Walidah Muda
Ihsan Tarore
as Muhammad Darwis
Ikranagara
as Kyai Abu Bakar
Yati Surachman
as Nyai Abu Bakar
Sujiwo Tejo
as Kyai Muhammad Fadlil
Dewi Irawan
as Nyai Muhammad Fadlil
Agus Kuncoro
as Kyai Muhammad Noor
Idrus Madani
as Kyai Muhsen
Pangky Suwito
as Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo
