The Art of Communication of the Prophet Muhammad in the Hadist: Strategies for Building Social Relationships and Preaching

Abstract

Communication is an important aspect of social and religious life, especially in the context of Islamic preaching. The Prophet Muhammad SAW is known as a skilled communicator who was able to convey the teachings of Islam with wisdom, empathy, and effective strategies. Through the hadiths that record his communication practices, Islamic communication values can be found that touch not only spiritual aspects, but also social and psychological aspects. The Prophet's communication skills not only succeeded in building harmonious relationships with his followers but also laid the foundation for an inclusive and transformative da'wah. This study aims to examine the principles and strategies of the Prophet's communication as reflected in authentic hadiths and to explore their relevance in building social relationships and conveying da'wah in the contemporary era. The research methodology employs a qualitative approach using library research. Primary sources include hadith collections such as Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, and works by classical and contemporary scholars in the fields of Islamic communication and da'wah. The research findings indicate that the Prophet's communication art is based on values such as i) honesty, ii) firmness with kindness, iii) empathy, iv) the use of analogies (tamtsīl), v) strategic silence, and open dialogue. The implications of this research indicate that the principles of the Prophet's communication, as recorded in the hadith, remain highly relevant for application in contemporary contexts such as education, digital da'wah, leadership, and interpersonal relationships. The integration of these prophetic communication values can serve as a solution to the ethical communication crisis and social fragmentation occurring in the modern era.