Jihad and Social Change: Addressing Contemporary Societal Dynamics from an Islamic Perspective
Addressing Contemporary Societal Dynamics from an Islamic Perspective
Abstract
This article examines the concept of jihad in Islam and its relationship with social change in contemporary society. Jihad is often misunderstood as merely physical warfare, whereas its meaning is far broader, encompassing spiritual, intellectual, social, and economic struggles. Social change in the modern era is characterized by five key phenomena: urbanization, the digital revolution, globalization and identity crises, economic inequality, and the rise of radicalism. This study employs a qualitative approach utilizing library research methods, drawing on secondary sources such as books and national and international scholarly journals. The paper demonstrates that jihad, in its various dimensions, serves as a relevant driving force for social transformation. Islamic social movements—such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah—alongside the 1945 Jihad Resolution, the development of the sharia economy, and digital da'wa (Islamic Proselytizing), provide tangible evidence of jihad acting as a positive catalyst for social change. Through the mechanism of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning), Islam offers a dynamic response to change, guided by the principle of preserving beneficial traditions while adopting superior innovations. The paper asserts that Muslims must actualize jihad comprehensively to become agents of positive change, in alignment with Islam's mission as a mercy to all creation (rahmatan lil 'alamin).
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