Islamic – Based Art of Communication Framework

In governing an institution, organization or even the everyday life of an individual, a good art of communication is crucial. Hence, the aim of this working paper was to adduce an Islamic – based art of communication framework that would benefit members of an institution, specifically Islamic-based development institutions. In order to achieve this aim, this working paper had examined relevant secondary texts and analysed it using the content analysis method. This study found that the Islamic – based art of communication framework should be analysed based on the al- Qur’an and Hadith as well as contain at least three main elements, namely the morality (mannerliness) of the communicator, contents of the communication and communication etiquette.

For a start, communication is an important tool and medium, not only for Islam but also for humans, generally. Therefore, communication should be managed well according to the standards set by syariat Islam. One form of managing good communication is to build a framework for the art of communication. Thus, this working paper had suggested a framework for an Islamic-based art of communication. The general discussions had focused on the definition of the art of communication, the priority given to the art of communication in Islamic history and an analysis of discussions concerning the formulation of the Islamicbased art of communication framework as well as the overall conclusions. It is hoped that the Islamic-based art of communication framework adduced by this working paper would benefit members of an institution, specifically and humankind, in general.

The Art of Communication Based on The Conventional Paradigm
The art of communication has been discussed by researchers using various definitions and points of understanding. In this working paper, the points of understanding by researchers who had not stated or acknowledged the source of Islamic epistemological knowledge as a basis were collectively referred to as researchers attached to a conventional paradigm. The Islamic-based art of communication and the conventional paradigm-based communication are clearly different, especially in the source of its formulation. According to Salleh (2009: 20-21), the Islamic and conventional epistemology of knowledge are different because the conventional epistemology of knowledge is based on Western thinking, whereas Islamic epistemology of knowledge is based on four main sources, namely the al-Qur'an, Hadith, Dolese (2015) defined the art of communication as a form of communication that could lend meaning and lead to a successful communication process. According to Dolese (2015), among the fundamentals of the art of communication are the principles outlined by Gricean in 1975, which consisted of four basic principles in the art of communication or better known as the Gricean Maxim, such as relevance, manner, quality, and quantity. In a similar vein Kushartanti, Yuwono and Lauder (2007), who had also outlined the Gricean Maxim in their work "The Persona of Language", had explained the principle adduced by Gricean as follows. First, the principle of relevance refers to the communication of something that is relevant to the discussion without any addition. Second, the principle of the manner refers to the manner in which something is communicated, whereby it should be brief, concise and accurate, while the principle of quality emphasises on the actual communication process and lastly, the principle of quantity, which emphasises on a communication that contributes as much information as possible in accordance to the required quantity (Kushartanti, Yuwono & Lauder, 2007).
Hence, it could be concluded that the art of communication based on the conventional paradigm is an effort to ensure the effectiveness and success of a communication process and focuses on the verbal aspect of communicative discussions that only involve tangible aspects. Discussions on the art of communication according to the conventional paradigm is seen as only focusing on a horizontal relationship, which is communication between the communicator and the audience without considering the vertical relationship. More than that, the understanding of the conventional art of communication is based on the rational of Western communication scholars, who had used their observation and knowledge to build the fundamentals and principles, which then became the basis for the conventional art of communication.

The Islamic-Based Art of Communication Concept
As mentioned earlier, Islamic-based art of communication is an art of communication that is discussed according to the fundamentals of Islamic knowledge and based on Islamic epistemology whose source must surely be an authentic Islamic source. Abdullah (2009) Besides that, Islamic-based art of communication also emphasises the big questions of "What", "Who" and "How" in a communication process (Siauw & Achini, 2017). The "what" question specifically touches on the contents of a message in the communication process. It is important to emphasise on the contents of the message because it represents the form of a communication, similar to that emphasised by Siauw and Achini (2017:12). Whereas the question "how" the contents of the message are delivered determines the effectiveness of the delivery. Thus, the fundamentals of the art of communication is related to the three main questions. When a communication that is wished to be delivered is examined using the three main questions, then the success of the communication process is better guarantied.
Questions such as what the style of delivery is, what is the medium of delivery and what is the method of delivery should be dealt with before an artful communication is produced.
Besides that, in efforts to understand Islamic-based art of communication, the concept and method needs to be in line (Siauw & Achini, 2017). For example, the sakinah 2 family concept exists in Islam; thus, the sharia method adduced by Islam assimilates the implementation of syariat such as facilitating the matrimonial process, emphasising the prohibition of zina (illicit sex), obstructing and prohibiting pornography etc. in efforts to achieve the objectives of the sakinah concept (Siauw & Achini, 2017:74). According to this analogy, the second concept in the Islamic-based art of communication championed by Siauw and Achini (2017) had stated that elements such as "what", "who" and "how" should be in line with Islamic sharia.
Thus, from another perspective, the Islamic-based art of communication was also discussed in the morality framework when delivering something as well as etiquette in communication. The concepts of etiquette and Islamic-based morality in Islamic-based art of communication is among the main concepts in Islamic-based art of communication and represents the third concept in the discussions. According to Abidin (2007:228-231), among the etiquettes and communication morality elements outlined are as follows.
1. Always talk about the truth. This statement is in accordance with the exhortation of Allah SWT, meaning, "O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice" (al-Ahzab,33:70  49:12). 3. Abstain from constantly protesting in a communication -as narrated by Imam Tabrani, the Prophet SAW exhorted, "Abstain from constantly protesting as wisdom would not be gained by that and slander cannot be avoided by it." And an attitude of constant protesting would make one's personality weak. 4. Be a good listener -as exhorted by Allah SWT, meaning, "Who listens to speech and follows the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding" (al-Zumar, 39:18). 5. To make communication a tool for enticing humankind towards the truth. Allah SWT exhorted, meaning, "And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims" (Fussilat, 41:33). Similar to the views about the art of communication by Abidin (2007), Ariffin (2007) also emphasised on communication etiquette as an important element in the art of communication. According to Ariffin (2007:127), some verses in the al-Qur'an and Hadith had outlined several principles and communication etiquette in Islam. Among those that are according to the wisdom of the al-Qur'an are those based on the verses in surah al-Baqarah (2:83) 3 and surah al-Ankabut (29:46) 4 , which had emphasised two principles and the main etiquette in communication. First was to deliver information well and to be noble minded; the second was to insert religious preaching in the contents of the message to be delivered. Besides that, a Hadith narrated by Saidatina Aisyah r.ah carried the following meaning.
"The Prophet SAW was not one of despicable character and was never a despicable character. His Highness did not like to raise HIS voice in the marketplace, HE did not avenge