In recent decades of security transformations, the concept of national security has increasingly moved beyond purely military domains and expanded into social, perceptual, and identity-based spheres. In this context, social capital, as one of the fundamental resources of national security, plays a decisive role in the stability, legitimacy, and resilience of political systems. The Islamic system, given its structural reliance on public trust, social cohesion, and popular participation, is no exception. At the same time, the emergence and expansion of cognitive threats as a new form of soft confrontation have placed this capital directly at risk.

This qualitative–analytical study examines the social capital of the Islamic system within the framework of national security and explains the mechanisms through which cognitive warfare affects its components. The findings indicate that cognitive warfare, by manipulating collective perceptions, undermining trust-building authorities, and activating identity cleavages, creates conditions for the gradual erosion of social capital. Declining social trust, weakened social cohesion, and reduced public participation are among the most significant consequences of this process, which can ultimately lead to a lower level of social and national security.

Accordingly, it can be concluded that the conscious and targeted strengthening of social capital is not merely a social necessity, but a strategic imperative within the defense and national security policy of the Islamic system in confronting cognitive warfare.