MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, BANTUL – As digital technology reshapes the world and social dynamics undergo constant change, Chair of the Muhammadiyah Council for Islamic Propagation Fathurrahman Kamal is calling for a refresh of the Muhammadiyah’s approach to da’wa. He believes it’s crucial to rekindle the spirit of Ahmad Dahlan’s pioneering da’wa movement and adapt it to resonate with the current generation.
Speaking at the Muhammadiyah Student Missionary Training (PM3) held at the Tabligh Institute, Bantul on Thursday, March 7 organized by the Muhammadiyah Student Association (IMM) of Yogyakarta, the Djazman Al Kindi, Fathurrahman Kamal elaborated on his vision. “Dahlan laid the groundwork for this movement by emphasizing the purification of core beliefs (tawhid-fitrah), spiritual refinement (tazkiyatun nufus), and translating these concepts into acts of selfless charity, as embodied in the spirit of al-ma’un,” he explained.
The digital age has ushered in a new generation of believers with unique needs and preferences. Millennials, Generation Z, and even Alpha are growing up in a world vastly different from that of their predecessors. Engaging them in matters of faith requires a nuanced and strategic approach that acknowledges these differences. As a key stakeholder in Indonesian society, Muhammadiyah recognizes this evolving landscape and the importance of tailoring its da’wa methods to resonate with these demographics. This aligns with the narratives established during the 2010 and 2015 Muktamar Muhammadiyah (the Muhammadiyah congress), which highlighted the need for the organization to adapt and remain relevant in a changing world.
Fathurrahman Kamal pointed to the “Muktamar Muhammadiyah Satu Abad” (One-Century Muhammadiyah Congress) pronouncements, which identified humanity’s most pressing challenges as spiritual dryness, a sense of lost meaning, moral and social deviations, violence, and anxieties surrounding the future.
Fathurrahman Kamal, a lecturer of the Faculty of Islamic Studies of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) attributed these issues to the overemphasis on a purely rational and instrumental approach to life. This mindset, Fathurrahman Kamal argued, reduces individuals to mere cogs in a machine and diminishes the importance of authentic spiritual experiences. Modern life, he continued, is often characterized by excessive materialism, hedonism, and nihilism.
To effectively connect with the today’s generation, Fathurrahman Kamal offered several key considerations for da’wa activists, including members of IMM and others within Muhammadiyah.
Firstly, Fathurrahman Kamal urged embracing the positive aspects of the shift in young people’s religious orientation. The growing trend towards populism and a focus on personal spiritual well-being should be viewed as an opportunity for engagement, not necessarily a challenge. While widespread, this approach often lacks a long-term vision, creating a space for guidance from established religious organizations.
Secondly, Fathurrahman Kamal emphasized the importance of transitioning towards da’wa that manifests in tangible ways. The current generation, he explained, is increasingly drawn to messages of faith that translate into real-world solutions and address pressing social issues.
Finally, Fathurrahman Kamal highlighted the need to address the prevalence of spiritual aridity and low resilience among the today’s generation. He called for prioritizing “sufi”-inspired movements that emphasize spiritual refinement (tazkiyatun nufus), aiming to create an oasis of spiritual nourishment amidst the challenges of modern life.
