منهج الاتصال بالآخر في القرآن الكريم من منظور عقدي

Abstract

This study attempted to clarify the extent to which the Qur’an contains an effective methodology for organizing the communication process and to evaluate how close Islamic attempts have come to this methodology. This was carried out by a contemplative and analytical reading of certain verses of the Qur’an. An attempt was made to discover and analyze the most important terms of that methodology in order to become familiar with the extent of the Qur’an’s precision and concern with communicating with the Other and doing so effectively in accord with instruments that are compatible with the modern era and human nature. The study employed both an inductive contemplative methodology and an analytic method. An analysis was conducted of the contents of selected Qur’an verses dealing with belief. Some sections also used a comparative methodology. The study arrived at a number of conclusions. The most important are as follows: First: The Qur’an confirmed the concept of “the Other”, which has been an ongoing problem of modern Islamic thought. It is definitely present in the Qur’an, however by its positive meaning for humanity, not according to the negative connotation adopted by the West. Second: There are shortcomings in the theories treating the levels of communication between the two parties of the West and the Islamic world. Third: The Qur’an has used all the tools of the modern methodology in an effective manner in the course of communicating with the other in order to construct the [Islamic] belief. Its fundamental focus is on the terms of the communication process, which can be summarized as follows: The sender of the message (Allah), the messengers, the believers; Those to whom the message is sent: the Other, with all its subdivisions and characteristics; The methodological definition of the goal and objective; Successful means of activating the Other; Activating the means that are compatible with every era. Fourth: The problem of Qur’anic terminology and its relationship with Islamic thought is still in its early stages. No methodology has yet been developed for its study. Therefore, the researcher suggests that it be given due attention within the fields of “terminological studies” and “the science of technical terms”. Fifth: The Qur’an is rich in raw materials in the area of constructing belief and its relationship with communication science on all its levels. Therefore, the researcher suggests an examination of the two principal constituents of this problem. The first is an examination of the establishment of core principles of the science of communications from a belief-based perspective in order to make manifest the distinguishing characteristics of tawheed (recognizing God’s exclusive right to worship). The second is an examination of the technical means for advancing the science of communications by means compatible with the special traits of the Muslim Ummah, as per the fundamental principles of the religion.