Islamic Legal Approaches to Da'wah on Social Media

A Comparative Study of MUI, NU, and Muhammadiyah in Contemporary Indonesia

Abstract

This study, titled "Contemporary Islamic Jurisprudence in Indonesia: Islamic Legal Perspectives on the Use of Social Media for Da'wah," aims to examine how Indonesia’s major Islamic institutions—Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and Muhammadiyah—respond to the growing phenomenon of digital da'wah through social media. While social media offers new opportunities for religious outreach, it also presents challenges such as misinformation, radicalism, commercialization, and ethical concerns. This research seeks to explore the methodological approaches used by these institutions in formulating Islamic legal rulings on social media da'wah, and to identify both their similarities and differences. Employing a qualitative descriptive design with a normative-textual approach, the study analyzes institutional fatwas, guidelines, and public statements to understand their legal reasoning and societal influence. Findings reveal that although all three organizations have addressed the ethics of da'wah, their approaches differ significantly: MUI tends to issue binding fatwas, NU emphasizes cultural and traditional values, and Muhammadiyah promotes a knowledge-based, enlightenment approach. This study contributes originality by offering a comparative analysis of Islamic legal discourse in the digital age. Its implications lie in guiding preachers and Muslim communities in navigating digital da'wah ethically and effectively within the framework of contemporary Islamic jurisprudence.