RELIGIOUS LITERACY: INFORMATION SEARCH REGARDING ISLAM AMONG VIRTUAL CITIZENS AND ROLE OF CONTEMPORARY PREACHING

Abstract

Today`s younger generation cannot be separated from online social media networks and cyber communities such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram and WhatsApp. Social media is one of the most important tools for spreading information, whether it is the truth or fiction. This article aims to present (1) the role of preaching in terms of religious literacy and the search for information regarding Islam among virtual citizens, as well as (2) ways to approach contemporary preaching in social media platforms. This study uses qualitative research methods through library research. Results showed that the level of religious literacy among social media users affected the acceptance and reliability of false or inaccurate religious information. Consequently, social media users could easily be influenced in heretical teachings if they learn religion and get information about religion from sources which are unauthentic such as from random social media platforms. Social media users who lack Islamic knowledge, particularly Muslim youths may face problems to determine the validity of information resources. In fact, Islam prohibits the dissemination of untruthful information. Muslims should make sure that they verify the truth of any information that forward it to others (Pitchan et al., 2018). Essentially, Muslims must practice Tabbayyun. Tabbayun directs the attitude of doing vigilant checking and researching of any information to keep away from information which could harm our believes and perspectives