By. Abu Anwar
(Delivered at an international seminar at STAIN Bengkalis on Thursday, May 16, 2024)
In the midst of the rapid development of digital technology today, cyberspace has become a new field for disseminating various information, including a wider field of Islamic education and da’wah. Many new challenges and opportunities arise here, given the widespread influence of social media and the internet in everyday life. How can we take advantage of this digital era to spread the values of Islamic education, as part of Islamic teachings, well and correctly?
CHALLENGES OF DA’WAH IN THE DIGITAL ERA
One of the main challenges in conveying the values of Islamic education through da’wah in the digital era is the diversity of information that is widely spread on the internet. Information that is not properly verified can mislead religious understanding and divide the community. Therefore, it is important for us as Muslims to become critical and wise readers. Before spreading information about the values of Islamic education through da’wah, we need to ensure the truth and validity of the source.
Besides, we also face the challenge of maintaining morals and ethics when interacting in cyberspace. The ability of da’is (Islamic preachers) as educators to package interesting messages is a challenge for them (educators or da’is) in the modern era, especially in behaviour or morals education in accordance with the guidance of the Qur’an and Hadith, Why?, because their credibility and ability are doubtful which as the impact of information disclosure which affects the authenticity of the da’wah message. Apart from that, the spread of inaccurate, not educational, and misleading da’wah content is the impact of easy access to information. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT. says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحَرِّمُوا طَيِّبَاتِ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
“O you who believe, do not make unlawful the good things that Allah has made lawful for you, and do not exceed the limits.” (Al Maidah: 87)
قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوْفٌ وَّمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ صَدَقَةٍ يَّتْبَعُهَآ اَذًىۗ وَاللّٰهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيْمٌ
Kind words and forgiveness are better than charity accompanied by hurtful actions. Allah is Most Rich and Most Compassionate. (Al-Baqarah: 263)
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَقُوْلُوْا قَوْلًا سَدِيْدًاۙ
“O you who believe, fear God and speak the truth.” (Al-Ahzab: 70)
These verses remind us of the importance of maintaining our speech and behaviour in cyberspace, both in written and spoken form, which is very urgent education so as not to exceed the limits and tarnish the good name of the Islamic religion.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH DA’WAH IN CYBERSPACE
From the perspective of Islamic Education, behind these challenges, there is a great opportunity for us to disseminate education and da’wah among the ummah, namely:
- To spread the values of education through Islamic da’wah more effectively through social media and other online platforms.
- The ease of obtaining Islamic education material through da’wah messages anywhere and at any time is a great opportunity in the digital era.
- Ease of building da’wah and Islamic education communities.
With creativity and innovation, we can reach wider and more diverse students or audiences. For example, through interesting short video contents, podcasts, or webinars that raises religious education themes that are relevant to everyday life and so on, as taught by the Prophet in the following hadith narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi:
خَيْرُ النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ
“The best human beings are those who provide the most benefit to other humans.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmizi)
This hadith teaches us the importance of contributing to spreading goodness and benefits to fellow humans, both in the form of education and da’wah, through various media, including digital media.
Thus, Islamic education and da’wah in the digital era is not only the responsibility of some people, but also the responsibility of all of us as Muslims. Let’s together take advantage of the opportunities that exist in cyberspace to spread the true teachings of Islam, maintain the truth of information, and maintain morals and ethics in interacting online. That way, we can become agents of Islamic change amidst increasingly rapid and complex information developments.
It is important to remember that good speaking etiquette also includes listening attentively, respecting other people’s opinions, and avoiding words that can cause conflict or bad things to improve the atmosphere of social life as well. As Muslims, following the guidelines contained in the Qur’an and Hadith can help educators and preachers in creating a better and more harmonious society through communication that is full of values and ethics.
ETHICS OF COMMUNICATION
There are 6 types of speaking etiquette mentioned in the Qur’an using the term Qaulan, namely Qaulan Sadida, Qaulan Ma’rufa, Qaulan Layyina, Qaulan Baligha, Qaulan Karima, and Qaulan Maisura.
- Qaulan Sadîda (True words)
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَقُوْلُوْا قَوْلًا سَدِيْدًاۙ
“O you who believe, fear God and speak the truth.” (Al-Ahzab: 70)
- Qaulan Ma’rûfa (good words)
وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيْمَا عَرَّضْتُمْ بِهٖ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ النِّسَاۤءِ اَوْ اَكْنَنْتُمْ فِيْٓ اَنْفُسِكُمْ ۗ عَلِمَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّكُمْ سَتَذْكُرُوْنَهُنَّ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا تُوَاعِدُوْهُنَّ سِرًّا اِلَّآ اَنْ تَقُوْلُوْا قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوْفًا ەۗ وَلَا تَعْزِمُوْا عُقْدَةَ النِّكَاحِ حَتّٰى يَبْلُغَ الْكِتٰبُ اَجَلَهٗ ۗوَاعْلَمُوْٓا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِيْٓ اَنْفُسِكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوْهُ ۚوَاعْلَمُوْٓا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ حَلِيْمٌ ࣖ
“There is no sin upon you for that to which you (indirectly) allude concerning a proposal to women or (the desire to marry) which you hide in your heart. Allah knows that you will mention them. However, do not secretly promise to (marry) them, unless you just say appropriate words. Don’t make a marriage contract before the end of the Idah period. Know that Allah knows what is in your heart. So, fear Him. Know that Allah is Forgiving, Most Forgiving.” (Al-Baqarah: 235)
- Qaulan Layyina (gentle words)
فَقُوْلَا لَهٗ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهٗ يَتَذَكَّرُ اَوْ يَخْشٰى
“Speak to him (Pharaoh) with gentle words, hopefully he will wake up or be afraid.” (Thaha: 44)
- Qaulan Balîgha (words that leave a mark)
أولٰۤىِٕكَ الَّذِيْنَ يَعْلَمُ اللّٰهُ مَا فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَاَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُلْ لَّهُمْ فِيْٓ اَنْفُسِهِمْ قَوْلًا ۢ بَلِيْغًا
“These are the people whose hearts Allah knows. Therefore, turn away from them, advise them, and speak to them in words that leave an impression on their souls.”” (An- Nisa: 63)
- Qaulan Karîma (noble sayings)
وَقَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعْبُدُوْٓا اِلَّآ اِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ اِحْسٰنًاۗ اِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ اَحَدُهُمَآ اَوْ كِلٰهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَآ اُفٍّ وَّلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيْمًا
“Your Lord has commanded that you do not worship other than Him and that you should be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reaches an advanced age in your care, never say to them the word “ah” and do not scold them, and say good words to them.” (Al-Isra’: 23)
- Qaulan Maisura (gentle/appropriate words)
وَاِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ابْتِغَاۤءَ رَحْمَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوْهَا فَقُلْ لَّهُمْ قَوْلًا مَّيْسُوْرًا
“If you (are unable to help until) you (have to) turn away from them to obtain the mercy of your Lord that you expect, speak to them a gentle word.” (Al-Isra: 28)
STRATEGY FOR TRANSMITTING ISLAMIC EDUCATION VALUES
Da’I (Islamic preacher) as an educator must have the right strategy in preaching or conveying the values of Islamic education in the digital era. There are several strategies that can be used:
First, the preacher builds a personal brand as an educator in the digital era. Personal branding is an image or reputation built by someone through digital media. A preacher as an educator must be able to demonstrate his identity, credibility and competence as a professional, knowledgeable and moral educator. A preacher as an educator must also be able to attract and trust the audience in a halal and syar’i manner so that it is easy to spread the virus of goodness.
Second, choose digital media that is in accordance with the goals, objectives and content of Islamic education values as da’wah material. A da’i as an educator must know the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of various existing digital media. He must choose the most effective and efficient digital media to convey Islamic education messages through da’wah to the desired audience. A da’i as educator must also adapt the content to the format and style of the digital media chosen.
Third, create da’wah content that contains Islamic education values that are useful, interesting and relevant. He must produce content that can provide benefits to the audience or students, both in terms of knowledge, wisdom and motivation. He must also create content that can attract the attention and interest of the audience, both in terms of title, image, sound and video. He must also create content that is relevant to the current situation, conditions and issues that are currently developing in society.
Fourth, maintain interaction and involvement with the audience or students. A da’i as an educator must be able to communicate with students or audiences in two directions, namely not only conveying information, but also listening, responding, and appreciating students or audiences. A da’i as an educator must be able to answer questions, clarification or criticism coming from students or the audience in a polite, wise and civilized manner so that he can emulate them. A da’i as an educator must also be able to invite students or audiences to participate in educational or da’wah activities, such as donating, joining, or taking action.
Fifth, measure the performance and impact of work. A Da’i or an educator must be able to evaluate and measure the performance and impact of the education or da’wah process carried out through digital media. A da’i as an educator must take advantage of the features available on digital media, such as the number of visitors, followers, impressions, likes, comments, shares, and so on. A da’i or educator must also collect feedback from the audience, both directly and indirectly. A da’i or an educator must also make improvements and improvements based on the results of these evaluations and measurements.
CLOSING
The digital era is an era where the development of information and communication technology is growing rapidly and affecting almost all aspects of human life, including in the context of da’wah. Da’wah, which is part of the activities of implementing Islamic Education, conveys Islamic teachings to the community and also develops according to the progress of the times. Concrete evidence of developments in this digital era is that da’wah in conveying the values of Islamic education is not only carried out directly but also spreads through digital media. But undoubtedly the digital era also presents new da’wah challenges that are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. People are easily exposed to various information and influences coming from various sources, both positive and negative. Therefore, an educator and a da’i must be able to adapt and enrich innovation to utilize digital media as a means to convey messages which constitute the values of Islamic Education more comprehensively but still in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith.
