Reconceptualising the Elements of Islamic Propagation: Religious Response and Adaptation to New Media

Abstract

The internet has tremendous effects to social and religious lives, including Islamic propagation (da'wah) activities. This paper aims to examine the fundamental concepts of da'wah in response to the mushrooming of cyber based-da’wah as well as adaptation to new media culture. Using a qualitative research for conceptual design, this study has found that the proliferation of cyber religious proselytizing leads the elements of da'wah have become ever-widening concepts. The concept of da’i, for instance, has experienced the reconceptualisation that not only refers to person who convey Islamic teachings through religious sermon (khutbah), but also denotes to a creative content provider for da’wah purposes in the internet. Additionally, the power of preaching in the new media lies in good, comprehensive, and argumentative messages. Similarly, redefinition of the concepts ma'du, feedback, and other da'wah elements occur as response to digital media culture.