Religious discourse strategies and their impact on the formation of Islamic thought

Abstract

Religious discourse strategies are among the most prominent elements that play a role in shaping thought. They are characterized by the rhetorical styles and linguistic and rhetorical mechanisms used by the speaker to construct Islamic thought according to religious and cognitive standards. These strategies vary depending on the recipient's circumstances and conditions, forming a cultural intellectual structure that contributes to preserving the value system and guiding individual and collective behavior. Hence, the importance of this research emerges in highlighting the pivotal role religious discourse plays in shaping the perceptions of individuals and groups within Islamic societies. The research aims to understand the concept of religious discourse strategy and its types, clarify the concept of thought in Islam and its characteristics, highlight the impact of religious discourse in shaping individual and collective thought, and uncover contemporary challenges confronting religious discourse. The problem of the study revolves around the fundamental question: What is the impact of religious discourse strategies on the formation of thought in Islam? The researcher relied on the descriptive approach and the critical analytical approach to reach the most important results, which are: The study confirmed that religious discourse in the current era suffers from defects and shortcomings, as it is based on the ritual aspect without considering the content. Moreover, because it relies on fundamental jurisprudential rulings, without elaborating on the rulings of contemporary issues, this is the reason for the lack of integration in its structure in terms of content and purpose. The study highlighted that the reliance on a strategy of intimidation rather than encouragement in religious discourse has deprived it of the ability to interact and safely reach the minds and hearts of the public.