COMMUNICATION
THEORY IN ISLAMIC PERSFECTIVE
(Study:
Human Relations Theory)
by: Maryadi
In
communication studies, various theories are born with each having its own
advantages and disadvantages. Among them is the Human Relations Theory. This
theory includes a major discovery in the early 1950's. Aware of the importance
of human relations theory of social needs, which emphasizes economic or human
rationality. Human relations theory was pioneered new study in the field of
group dynamics/community, where attention was focused not only on individuals,
but also on the process and the dynamics of society. In the context of the
mission, this theory can be applied to make some adjustments. For instance associated
with the message or dakwah material presented. The selection of messages or dakwah
materials should be emphasized to the interests of the market, or have to suit
the tastes and demands of the market. A da `i need to know what to think,
needed and desired by the community. Hence, it needs a more in-depth
introduction to the mad `u or communicant of various aspects, such as
geographic, demographic and psychological conditions. Submission of preaching
messages that are not based on the consideration of community needs, according
to this theory will only make the switch to another message more attractive and
can give satisfaction to them. Then, communication and dakwah are different,
but both are able to work together and contribute to a particular aspect in
order to further enrich the integration of the concepts of each of these
disciplines.
Keywords: Human
Relations Theory, communication and Islamic communication
A. Introduction
يَاأَيُّهَاالنَّاسُإِنَّاخَلَقْنَاكُمْمِنْذَكَرٍوَأُنْثَىٰوَجَعَلْنَاكُمْشُعُوبًاوَقَبَائِلَلِتَعَارَفُواإِنَّأَكْرَمَكُمْعِنْدَاللَّهِأَتْقَاكُمْ
ۚ إِنَّاللَّهَعَلِيمٌخَبِيرٌ
Meaning: O mankind, We created you from a male and a female and
made you a nation - peoples and tribes that you may know each other-knowing.
Verily the most honorable of you with Allah is the most pious among you. Surely
Allah is Knower, Aware. (Quran, al.
Hujurat: 13)
Human
nature as social beings is the desire to always live together with others in a
group or society. No one in the world able to live alone without any connection
or cooperation with others. Due to the limitations of human nature and since
birth has been provided with an instinct to connect with other people. For
example, a toddler need care and help her mother because she was not able to
meet their own needs. Furthermore, he needs health care, education, and
association. In Quran, al Maidah2, explainable: "... And please-help each
other you in (doing) virtue and piety, and do mutual assistance in sin and
transgression. And fear ye Allah, verily Allah is severe in punishment".
In
communication studies, various theories are born with each having its own
advantages and disadvantages. There are many theories about communication.
Based on the past and an understanding of the meaning of communication,
communication theory is increasingly evolving as the development of the use of
information communication technology as a focus of study. The image
communication multi-meanings and definitions, and multi-dimensional multi it
certainly gives insight (outlook) are diverse as well, especially in
conceptualizing communication as a theory or scientific study. In the next
phase of its development as a field of study that is elective influence of
other disciplines to communication sciences, especially physics, psychology and
sociology are very large and very pronounced. This also gave birth approaches
and insights that differ from each other in formulating a definition of
communication as well as in research and empirical assessment. These
differences bear two things are very important in communication theory. That is
the birth of multiple paradigms and perspectives in the study of human
communication. It is also not immune from digging Muslim intellectual thought
in the field of science communication to bear communication theories in consderation
of Islam
The
theory is the principal means for expressing the relation of systematic social
phenomena and natura want investigated. The theory is an abstraction of the
meaning or relationship of the proposition or propositions. A theory is a
systematic means of achieving knowledge. In other words, the theory of
knowledge as clarify the rationale, as well as the theory may also lead to an
investigation. Theory should probably be tested, accepted or rejected the
truth.
In
addition to the term theory in science there is another term that is sometimes
communication always used simultaneously. Theory is often compared, equated,
distinguished and interchangeable with the model. Uses and gratifications
theory is expressed as a Model Uses and gratifications. The theory of diffusion
of innovation Innovation Diffusion Model said, and so forth. Despite the
limitations of these two concepts is still something debatable. The model is a
term contained in the communication science and always used or interpreted
widely. There are no less than three fundamentally different kinds of meanings
attached to the term and model. First, the model is used as a substitute for
the word stage, the second, the model is used instead of the word strategy, and
all three models are often used instead of the word theory.
Simply
put, the model is a 'picture' that is designed to represent reality. The model
is an imitation of reality. As a clone, the model is not complete, the model
only took part of the reality. Another opinion says that the model is a
phenomenon, real or abstract, to highlight the most important elements of the
phenomenon. The model is clearly not the phenomenon itself. As a means to
explain the phenomenon of communication, simplify the model explanation. It's
just as well as models to reduce the phenomenon of communication, meaning that
there are shades of other communications that may be overlooked and not
explained by the model.
The
difference between theories and models, the theory is the explanation
(explanation), while the model is only a representation (representation). Thus,
the communication model can be interpreted as a representation of an event
communication. Through communication model can be seen that the factors
involved in the communication process. However, the model does not contain an
explanation of the relationship and interaction between these factors or
elements that are part of the model. The explanation given by the theory. This
means that there is a link between theory and model.
This
short paper will discuss a simple and at first glance one theory of many
theories contained in the communication sciences, as well as its use in Islamic
communication (Islamic studies in communication or a communication perspective
of Islam). Representing the theory in question is the theory of Human Relations
Theory. Then, in addition to this there is also a description or coupled with a
simple study of communication and dakwah.
B. Human Relations Theory
Human
Relations Theory is a theory advanced by Elton Mayo. This theory includes a
major discovery in the early 1950's. Aware of the importance of human relations
theory of social needs, which emphasizes economic or human rationality. This
theory was pioneered new study in the field of group dynamics/community, where
attention was focused not only on individuals, but also on the process and the
dynamics of society[1].It
suggests that the interaction that occurs in the fellow is based on various
factors, such as imitation, suggestion, identification, sympathy, motivation,
and empathy[2].
Those factors can move individually in isolation or inter-related.
1.
Imitation
Imitation
is an act of imitating the attitude, behavior, or appearance of others. This
action was first man in the family by imitating the habits of other family
members, especially parents. Imitation will continue to expand to a wider
audience, the public. Today the process of imitation in society more quickly
with the development of mass media, such as television and radio. In social
interaction, imitation can be positive, if push a person to comply with the
norms and values that apply in order to create harmony and social order.
However, imitation can also be a negative effect, if it is modeled on deviant
behaviors. As a result, a variety of social deviation occurs in the community
that can weaken the joints of social and cultural life. Imitation overload can
weaken even turn off the power of human creativity[3].
2.
Suggestion
Suggestion
is a way of giving a view or influence by one person to another in a certain
way, so that people will follow the views or influence without thinking
critically and rationally. Suggestion is because the party receiving the
recommendation was moved emotionally and usually emotions inhibit rational
thinking power. Suggestion is generally done from authoritative persons, having
the authoritarian nature, or the majority in society. It can also be done by
parents or adults to children, as well as ads in various media. For example, a
pediatrician who persuade or influence a patient to take medication in order to
quickly recover[4].
3.
Identification
Identification
is a tendency or desire in a person to be 'equal' with other people who became
his idol. Identification is a further form of imitation and suggestion. With
the identification of a person trying to put ourselves in the positions of
others, or 'identify' himself with others. This identification process is not
simply imitate the behavior, even accept the beliefs and values of others
into their own beliefs and values. Thus, the identification process can shape
one's personality.
How
to identify last? The identification process takes place in a situation where
someone who really knows the identification of others who become hero or idol,
either directly or indirectly (via television). For example, a teenager who
changed her appearance, ranging from how to dress, how to talk, and according
to the artist's hairstyle idol. He identified himself with the artist.
4.
Sympathy
Sympathy
is feeling 'attracted' that arise in oneself and the ability to feel as though
we are in a state of others. Sympathy can be delivered to a person, group, or
institution. In sympathy someone come late to feel what had happened,
conducted, and sustained by others. For example, we are sad to see the
suffering of our brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake and tsunami in
Aceh, West Sumatra, Pangandaran, Tasikmalaya, West Java[5].
5.
Motivation
Motivation
is an impulse, stimulus, influence exerted by individuals to other individuals,
so that individuals be motivated to obey or carry out what is given it
critically, rationally, and with a sense of responsibility. Motivation can also
be given by an individual to group, group to group, or even a group of
individuals. For example to motivate student learning, a teacher gives
assignments related to the material that was presented.
6.
Empathy
Empathy
is one's mental processes to dissolve in other people's feelings, both joy and
sorrow. For example, if you see the old friend died. You certainly to feel the
pain and sorrow of friends.As if you also feel the loss as perceived by your
friends[6].
In
view of the level of theory, there are several alternatives that may be used as
one portion in comprehend communication behavior in society, the first social
reality and how we understand our social world. Behavior and objects are social
constructions, as it relies on humans to make significant behavior and object,
as a mere social objects that have meaning for the object of a collective human
action or demands. Objective refers to the view that the object - the object,
behavior - behavior, and perisitiwa - events exist in society. Whereas opinion
suggests that reality itself is a social construction.
Second,
the organization. In a typical organization is considered as a noun, while the
"organizer" is considered as a verb. We can understand human
organizations through a set of similarity principles used to understand the
machine. One's understanding of the organization depends on the assumption -
the assumption that person about the reality or the world. Third, human nature.
The survival of an organization depends on its ability to adapt to the
environment as well as human nature. Because the organization has a structure
and environment that are important to match them, so adaptive maximum progress[7].
C. Application Human Relations theoryin Islamic Communication or
Dakwah
Based
analize above, then if you want to apply in the field of dakwah should be
analytical and critical attention to the elements of dakwah, especially in this
communicator (da `i) and messages. In accordance with the human relations
theory, then a communicator should know, understand and can adapt to the tastes
of the market, so that its presence can be accepted even needed by the
community, for example in the context of dakwahbil verbal (lecture) when dealing
with people who want a communicator can make a joke, the cleric should be good
at it. Similarly, messages or materials delivered dakwah. The selection of
messages or dakwah materials should be emphasized to the interests of the
market (market oriented), which according to the taste or the demands of the
market. Therefore, a communicator need to know what they think, need and want.
It required a more in-depth introduction to the mad `u (communicant) from
various aspects, such as geographic, demographic and psychological conditions.
Submission of preaching messages that are not based on the consideration of
community needs, according to this theory, the community will ignore it and
they will switch to another message more attractive and can give satisfaction
to them.
Based
on the exposure to the above mentioned how Islam sees the interaction between
people, as Allah says: "Those who believe that real brothers. Therefore
make peace (mend relations) between the two brothers and fear of God, that ye
may obtain mercy. " (Al-Hujuraat 10). In line with this the Messenger of
Allah said:
"The likeness of the believers in compassion,
mutual love-menyinta and social call is like a body that when one individual
has the disease, the whole body feels the suffering of participated and
literacy" (al-Hadith ).
Such
interactions among Muslims based on brotherhood, sympathy and compassion, while
the interaction between the Muslims with other peoples is the relationship
introductions, mutual help and justice. In this regard Allah says:
"O mankind, We have created you from a male
and a female and made you a nation - peoples and tribes that ye may know each
other-knowing. Verily the most honorable of you with Allah is the most pious
among you. "(Al-Hujuraat 13).
Further
Allah says about the attitude to be taken by Muslims against people of other
faiths as follows:
"Allah does not forbid you to be kind and
fair Applicable to those who fight you not for religion and not (also) drive
you of the country. Truly Allah loves those who apply fair. "(Al-Mumtahanah
8).
Departing
from various conditions as described above, the authors understand the
interaction between people is not limited to matters of interest only because
of, but rather than keeping the universal human dignity and status as a single
entity, the Muslims put the rules that will keep the essence of humanity The
relationships between individuals or between groups, namely: Mutual respect and
honor, Spread love, Justice, Equality, Equal treatment, true to virtue, freedom
(freedom), tolerant and tolerance (Tasamuh), keeping promises, mutual please
help, keep their promises.
1.
Mutual respect and honor. As God has been glorified humanity, a necessity of
every human being to respect and honor, regardless of race, color, language,
and his descendants. Islam teaches us to respect even though humans have become
a corpse. It was narrated that the Prophet Muhammad stood humility to respect
the body of a Jew. Then someone said: "O
Messenger of Allah, he indeed Jewish body". The Prophet SAW said: "Is
not he too is a soul? '. (Narrated by Imam Muslim).
2.
Spread the love saying, This is an exploration of the message of Islam as a
doctrine intact, because he came as a blessing for the whole universe. Then the
Prophet said: "It will not be released unless the affections of the people
who despised".
3.
Justice, and the whole doctrine of divine shari'ah woke up on the fairness and
balance. Then the company became a major component of the justice major
sya'riat the Prophets and Apostles. And in the last sya'riat Islam, the idea of
justice more detailed and robust. Justice is a necessity at a time when safe
even in a state of war though[8].
And to be fair to Islam makes the enemy as being closer to taqwa (Surat
Al-Maidah: 8). To realize this, Islam is not just told to do justice, but also
forbids injustice and forbade him very hard.
4.
Equation, this principle is a branch of the pole before the justice. The
equation is emphasized especially before the law. Factors that differentiate
between one person to another is piety and righteous deeds, (faith and
science). (Surat al-Hujurat: 13).
5.
Equal treatment, the general rules concerning both individuals and groups
requires the same treatment or better. Reciprocate a favor by virtue of the
same or better are the demands of each community that wants harmonious
relations among its members. Then Allah determines it is in one of his word
(Surat al-Isra: 7).
6.
Sticking to virtue, principle is often expressed with taqwa, charity and
worship in many places in the Qur'an. (in Surah Al-Baqarah: 177 and 194,
Al-Mukminun: 96, Fushshilat: 34). And among phenomena adhere to virtue;
prostrate, forgiving, tolerant, patient, soft hands, and helping others. And
the most obvious and visible once the favor is a reply to a crime with a better
(Surah Fushshilat: 34).
7.
Freedom (freedom), the principle is clear how God glorifies man and respect his
will, his thoughts and feelings and let it determine its own destiny anything
related to guidance and misguidance in confidence, and charge him due to his
actions and muhasabah him. Meaning not only the freedom to break away from all
the provisions and bond due lusts, so that someone could be violating the
rights of others[9].
If that is the case what happens is chaos and destruction. So Shaykh Muhammad
Abu Zahrah said: "Verily, the essential freedom starts with freeing the
soul and passion to follow lust and make it subject to the mind and
heart". Moreover, to make a god of lust (Surat al-Jathiyah: 23).
8.
Tolerant and tolerance (Tasamuh), has been much talk of tolerance that makes it
slightly deviates from the true meaning. Actually, the meaning is Tasamuh
tolerate the beliefs of others, their opinions and their deeds even though
contrary to the beliefs and vanity in the eyes, and should not be attacked, and
denounce the reproach that make people sick and tormented feelings, and should
not be use coercive means to get them out or ban them from expressing their
opinions or do their deeds-deeds[10].
And this rule is contained in many verses of the Qur'an such as, "And do
not you denounce those who pray to other than Allah, that they denounce God
with enmity without knowledge. Thus we decorate for every people their deeds,
then He informs what they do ". (Surat al-An'am: 108)
9.
Helping each other, the social character of human beings, because no one is
able to live alone, without associating with his brother. With bermuamalah
between man's use and usability will be perfect. There's a lot of needs that an
individual will not be able to fulfill themselves. Even Islam does not merely
endorse this principle as a principle in human relationships, but further Islam
determines that the servant forever dependent on the help of God Almighty, he
admits it or not admit it[11].
And Islam is linking aid to helping each other among their servants. Prophet
Muhammad SAW said: "And God is always helping someone for the person
always helping his brother". (Narrated by Muslim).
10.
Keeping promises, keeping promises cover all the promise of a good thing. She
is a guarantee for the continuity of the element of trust between people
helping each other. If it is missing from the public, then maybe people will be
destroyed and damaged. Break a promise is a sign of hypocrisy[12].
The Prophet SAW said: "The sign of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks
lies, when he promises to break and when it was given the mandate he was
betrayed".(Narrated by Muslim).
D. Communication Relationship with Islamic Communication or Dakwah
According
to BahriGhazali that the communication and dakwah activities of parallelism are
filling and the contents are mutually complementary to each other. The
existence of a communication event possible all missionary activities, as well
as drift `wah means also implemented communication tasks. Therefore it can be
said that the relationship of communication and dakwah is a causal
relationship, meaning that the more often implemented more stable means of
communication is also dakwah. Vice versa that preaching is a means of
communication activities more intense missionary activity would result in a
meaningful communication as well. Then the other side of the parallel of both
activities is that they have the media as a means to convey the material. While
the missionary activity is essentially in terms of communication in particular[13].
TotoTasmara
argued that the mission is none other than communication, but communication is
typical. That is dakwah and communication have the same goal, which is
expecting the participation of the communicant to act and do something to be
desired as a communicator in accordance with the contents of the message. What
makes it distinctive is that the desired change occurred in accordance with the
teachings of Islam. On that basis, the mission is a process of communication,
but not all of the communication process is a process of dakwah[14].
Anwar
Arifin said that the mission and the communication has been linked and can not
be separated. Propagation can be one form of human communication, and instead
preaching can be a source of moral ethics and communication, both as a science,
as well as social activities. He also mentioned that in the study of
communication, dakwah is communication, although not all communication is dakwah.
But all kinds of communication that promotes goodness and virtue and prevent
the unjust (lies, slander, manipulation, pornography and sensation and dakwah
and agitation) can be called dakwah. That's the communication that promotes
truth, decency and fairness or communication which always refers to the
ethical, moral and religious universally applicable in accordance with their
conscience and human nature in order to raise the dignity of man, has been referred
to in line with dakwah[15].
Dakwah is communication, so that preach the same as communicating. However,
communication is not just dakwah, so communicating is not necessarily
preaching. Thus communication has a broader scope than dakwah. However, the
mission can contribute to many fields of communication in the form of ethics
and morals, so pay attention to truth, justice and kindness[16].
SaefulAsepMuhtadi
said that communication and dakwah is different, although a common object,
namely human activity. However, these two disciplines can be mutually
contribute, as well as other disciplines that can also contribute to each
other. Perspective communication is used to see the other side missionary
activity that is expected to provide scientific contributions to the
development of mission concepts on the one hand, and the enrichment of
communication concepts on the other[17].
E. DakwahCommunication orIslamic Communication
According
to GhazaliBahri, dakwah communications is communicative nature of missionary
activities, the delivery attempt teachings of Islam to the community for the
community to have an understanding of Islam and eventually the teachings of
Islam in the activities of their daily lives. From the aspect of science,
science communication is a science mission that discuss the principles of Islam
submission to the community so that people have the understanding and behavior
of Islam[18].
Meanwhile, according to BambangS.Ma `arif, mission communications is a
rhetorical (persuasive) by the communicator (dai) to disseminate messages
loaded with religious values, either in the form of verbal or nonverbal, told
worshipers to gain favor in dunian and in Hereafter[19].
Communication
in the perspective of Islam can be seen through two different approaches,
namely communication and communication Islamic Islam. Islam is a system of
communication Muslims. This simple notion suggests that Islam is more focused
on the communication system with the background philosophy (theory) that are
different from non-Islamic communication perspective. In other words, the
communication system of Islam is based on the Qur'an and Hadith. Of course,
philosophy or theory on which the communication system of Islam has certain
implications for the meaning of the communication, communication ethics, and so
on[20].
The same opinion suggests that communication is the process of conveying Islam
or exchange mission and declaration of the principles and kaedah contained in
the Qur'an and Hadith[21].
Islamic Communication focuses on communication theories developed by Muslim
thinkers. Its goal is to make communication Ultimate Islam as an alternative
communication, especially in upholding human values corresponding to the
creation of human nature are. Suitability values communication with the
humanitarian dimension of the creation of nature are beneficial to the
universal human welfare.
Based
on the above opinion is clear that the communications payload contains the
message of Islam, namely how to communicate and implement the values of Islam
which is based on the Qur'an and Hadith in various aspects of human life, or in
other words, Islam is that communication that is bound to the specific message
propagation, because the Qur'an and Hadith a guidance for mankind in a life and
living well in this world and in the hereafter. Then, in addition to
communications Islam, there is also an express term or other terms that Islamic
communication can briefly define the Islamic communication is the process of
delivering messages between people based on Islamic teachings. This
understanding suggests that communication is a way of communicating that
Islamic is Islamic (not against the teachings of Islam). And may also be argued
that communications Islami is the implementation (how to implement) islamic
communications[22].
The
applicative instance if it is associated with the media, if there is a question
that is as a communication scholar of Islam mandated to lead a media
organization, how the approach taken to ensure that the media is functioning in
accordance with the responsibilities as an Islamic media and also does not
conflict with the social system cultural, economic and political communities.
So the answer of course is the appropriate approach to the teachings of Islam.
That may be a communication approach Islam or Islamic communication. So, how
exactly is the notion of Islamic media. According to Aslam Abdullah, the
Islamic media is a field of study that is not easily assessed. There is no
exact definition of the Islamic media. But as a rough guideline commonly used method
to determine the elements of content, media ethics and commitment to Islam[23].
In
September 1981 in Jakarta, the first International conference of journalists
and media workers were attended by about 250 Islamic Muslim journalists from 50
countries. The conference did not provide any definition of the Islamic media,
but received approval for media workers Islam. Such approval may be the only
document that can be obtained as a guide in making the definition of Islamic
media. Approval emphasizes two things. First, the rules of Islamic behavior
should be the basis for any Islamic media workers in journalistic activity, and
the second is keperibadian Islam. Both of these great emphasis on the
consolidation of individual Muslim faith on ethical principles and values of
Islam as the primary obligations of Islam media[24].
According
AinurRofiqSophian, there are two approaches to explain the meaning of Islamic
media. First, a formal approach, which is understood as a medium of Islamic
media, published by the Muslims, voiced the aspirations and activities of
Muslims. Second, the informal approach. That is the mission of Islamic media
judged against itself globally and holistically, rahmatanlilalamin. In this
context the Islamic system more measured than the ideals of morality from every
walk of life. His form is justice, liberty, equality and democracy[25].
F. Conclusion
In
conclusion of this paper can be concluded that in fact Muslims can make a major
contribution in the development of communication studies in particular
communication relationships with others associated with the review of the
policy-making process and the importance of empirical studies in the
construction of science communication. However, the dynamic development of the
communication and the complexity of the problems faced, and not enough can be
seen only with an approach offers. There are many approaches and other theories
that are used in studying the complexity of the communication. As a Muslim of
course the view from different disciplines can stimulate us to obtain new
theories are more rooted in human proportion.
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(source: http://sarana-konsultasi.blogspot.com/2013/04/communication-theory-in-islamic.html)
