A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effect on the Identity of Muslims (Part 31)
The Media of Early Islam and Their Responsibilities from the Perspective of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Undoubtedly, one of the most significant tools for elevating the level of Islamic culture in our society is the media. In the modern era, the media serve as the eyes of the people, offering insight and delivering news from places individuals cannot personally visit or investigate comprehensively. In this context, the value and significance of media in reflecting events and occurrences become evident.
In early Islam, religious and ethical traditions were conveyed to the world through written texts, oral communication, and similar methods, with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) setting guidelines for their use. Similarly, in contemporary times, religious messaging and dissemination have embraced new formats to promote Islamic values and fulfill this responsibility.
It is clear to any fair observer that communication forms the foundation of human civilization. One of its most crucial aspects is the exchange of information and the transmission of messages among individuals. Effective communication requires a sender, a message, a channel, and a receiver. Communication can take various forms, such as:
1. Direct and face-to-face communication
2. Mass or public communication
3. Written and non-written communication
4. National and international communication
5. Verbal and non-verbal communication
6. Human-mediated and tool-mediated communication
7. Temporal and timeless communication
8. Organizational and non-organizational communication
9. Symbolic communication
It is evident that the human need for communication is not limited to specific times or places. Although communication and media were not as expansive in the past as they are today, people still utilized the tools available in their era to express needs, transfer ideas, and share messages. The divine prophets also employed these communication tools to convey their religious and celestial teachings, guiding humanity toward Almighty God. During the dawn of Islam and in subsequent years, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs utilized several of these tools.
In a general view, the media of the Prophet Muhammad’s era (peace be upon him) can be categorized into three sections:
1. Verbal Media
The most important tool of communication has always been verballed and linguistic means. This form of communication has existed since the beginning of human history. Both the Qur’an and Prophetic Sunnah highlight its importance. Verbal communication has several subcategories, the most notable of which include:
a. Oratory and Speech:
Oratory is one of the oldest and most effective tools for verbal communication. It is plausible that the first orator was Adam (peace be upon him), who, in his role as a teacher, explained the use of tools to the angels and thus delivered the first lesson.
All divine prophets used this tool to convey their message to the people. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also conveyed Islam in this manner, and his companions followed his example to spread religious teachings. The speech of Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) before the Negus of Abyssinia in defense of Islam is a prominent example of using oral media for religious communication.
b. Poetry:
The approval or disapproval of any form of messaging in Islam depends on its content. From an Islamic perspective, media that convey divine content are endorsed. Poetry, as a significant medium, is evaluated based on its content; when it conveys divine messages, it is praiseworthy; otherwise, it is rejected.
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs, poets played a key role in serving Islam, defending it, and spreading its teachings. Hassan ibn Thabit, a renowned poet of Mecca, embraced Islam and became one of its defenders through his poetry.
2. Written Media:
One of the most significant forms of non-verbal media, with a long history, is written communication. This medium primarily manifests in forms like books, magazines, and so forth. Writing has accompanied humanity for centuries and has evolved through various stages, such as inscriptions on stones, clay tablets, metal tablets, wooden boards, papyrus scrolls, leather scrolls, parchment books, and paper manuscripts.
In the past, books were the primary means of disseminating beliefs, enabling intellectual exchanges among various nations and transferring civilizations. The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of writing as a medium by swearing by the pen: “Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe.” (Qalam: 1)
The international letters of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the kings of his time, inviting them to Islam and warning them of battle if they refused, are clear examples of utilizing written media during the Prophetic era.
3. Non-Verbal Media:
Prayer and other acts of worship can also function as media, as they convey specific messages. Observing these acts of worship, such as congregational and Friday prayers, helps onlookers grasp the teachings of Islam and mentally associate themselves with its spiritual environment. The recitation of the Qur’an and the prayers led by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), along with actions performed through deeds rather than words, are prime examples of silent media.
Additionally, names and titles, funeral ceremonies, birth rituals, architectural styles of homes and mosques, and Islamic ethics, behavior, and attitudes all served as non-verbal media during the Prophet’s era and the time of his companions, and they continue to retain their media-like function.
The realm of media has always been vast, adapting to the customs and resources of its time. While the tools of communication have changed over the ages, the essence of media and its importance have remained constant.
By admin2
