MAINTAINING SOCIAL HARMONY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA: AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE DIGITAL WORLD

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technology, especially in the use of social media, has changed the way people interact and communicate. Social media allows individuals to share information and build relationships more easily and quickly, but on the other hand, these platforms can also be a source of tension and division that threatens social harmony. Conflicts, misunderstandings and the spread of hate speech often arise in the digital space, risking to undermine the peace of society. This paper examines how an Islamic perspective can play a role in maintaining social harmony in the digital world. Islam teaches the principles of ethical communication, including speaking well, avoiding hatred, and respecting each other. One important concept in Islam is amar ma'ruf nahi munkar, which invites people to spread goodness and prevent evil, including in interacting online. In addition, the principle of ukhuwah (brotherhood) teaches the importance of cooperation and mutual respect, which can strengthen social relations, despite differences in views or backgrounds. This paper aims to explore how these Islamic principles can be applied to create a peaceful and beneficial social media environment. By applying these values, social media can be a means to build positive social relationships, respect differences, and create peace online. It is hoped that this research will provide insight into the ways Islam can guide the use of social media to maintain harmony in a digital society.