The role of social media in da'wah activities in Bangladesh : an analytical exploration in light of the Qurʾan and sunnah

Abstract

This research critically examines the evolving role of social media in da'wah activities in Bangladesh, using the normative framework of the Qur'an and Sunnah. It aims to: identify the main platforms used for da'wah, assess their benefits and potential, explore related ethical and practical challenges, and propose recommendations to enhance digital da'wah within Islamic principles. A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with eight Islamic scholars and da'wah practitioners who are active on platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed through thematic analysis with the help of the ATLAS.ti software. This method allowed the identification of key patterns, insights, and ethical concerns emerging from participants’ experiences. The findings reveal that social media has broadened access to Islamic knowledge, encouraged diverse participation, and improved communication and engagement in da'wah. However, issues such as misinformation, commercialisation and weak scholarly supervision were regarded as common challenges. This study concludes by proposing an ethical framework for digital Da'wah grounded in the Qur'anic principles of ḥikmah (wisdom), maw'iẓah ḥasanah (benevolent exhortation), and ikhlaṣ (sincerity), ensuring a balance between technological use and Islamic authenticity.