Methodology (Manhaj) of Dawah

Calling to Allah (swt) is the way of the Messenger (Pbuh) and his followers, as Allaah, the Most High, says: “Say, O Muhammad (Pbuh): This is my way, I call to Allaah (i.e to the testification that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone, with no partner) upon certain knowledge – I, and those who follow me. I declare Allaah free and far removed from all that they associate as partners with Him, and I am free of those who worship anything else along with Him” [Surah Yusuf 12:108]

Indeed calling to Allaah was the mission of all the Messengers and their followers, in order to bring the people out of darkness and into light, from unbelief (kufr) to true Faith (eemaan), from shirk to tawheed, and from the Fire to Paradise. This call to Allaah rests upon firm pillars, and is established upon foundations which are absolutely essential. If any of these are missing the da’wah will not be correct and will not produce the desired results – no matter how much effort is expended and time wasted – and this is the reality which we witness with regard to many of the present day calls which are not supported by those pillars and built upon those foundations. These pillars which support the correct da’wah are clearly shown in the Book and the Sunnah, and can be summarized as follows:

Knowledge of that which one calls to:

Since the ignorant person is not suitable to be a caller (daa’ee). Allaah, the Most High, said to His prophet (Pbuh):

“Say, O Muhammad (Pbuh): This is my way, I call to Allaah (to the testification that none has the right to be worshiped except Allaah, alone, having no partner) upon certain knowledge (baseerah). I, and those who follow me”[Surah Yoosuf 12:108]

‘Baseerah’ is knowledge. So the caller is certain to face those who are scholars of misguidance, those who will attack him with doubts and futile arguments in order to rebut the truth. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“And argue with them in a way that is better” [Surah an-Nahl 16:125]

Furthermore the Prophet (Pbuh) said to Mu’aadh (Ra), “You are going to a people from the People of the Book.” So if the caller is not armed with sufficient knowledge for him to face every doubt and contend with every opponent, then he will be defeated in the first counter, and will be halted at the beginning of the way.

Acting in accordance with that which he calls to:

So that he will be a good example – his actions attesting to his words, and leaving no excuse for the opponents of the Truth. Allaah, the Most High, said about His Prophet Shu’ayb that he said to his people:

“I do not wish to forbid you from something and then do it myself. rather I only wish to rectify you as far as I am able”[Surah Hood 11:88]

Allaah, the Most High, said to His Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh):

“Say, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): Indeed my Prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all purely and solely for Allaah, Lord of all the Worlds. There is no share in any of that for other than Him. That is what my Lord ordered me, and I am the first of this nation to submit to Allaah as a Muslim” [Surah al-An’aan 6:162-163]

Allaah the Most High, said:

“Who is better in speech than one who calls the people to Allaah and does righteous deeds?” [Surah Fussilat 41:33]

Purity of intention (al-ikhlaas):

Such that the call is made purely and sincerely to seek the Face of Allaah (and seeking His Reward) – not for show, or repute, or status, or leadership, nor desiring worldly goals – since if any of these goals adulterate it, the call will not be for Allaah, rather it would then be a call for oneself or for the attainment of the worldly goal – as Allaah informs that His Prophets said to their people:

“I do not ask you for any reward for conveying this Qur`aan” [Soorah al-An’aam 6:90]

“I do not ask you for any wealth for my admonition” [Soorah Hood 11:29]

Thus we understand that it is very important to follow the methodology of Prophet (pbuh) and the salaf while indulging in Da’wah. This is the only way which is accepted in the sight of Allah and we shall surely be rewarded for it.

[source: “Methodology of prophets in calling to Allah” by Shaikh Saalih ibn Fawzaan]

*The last two lines have been added to conclude the topic and are not the part of this source.

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IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR DA’EES

Beware of being extreme

It is correct to name this awakening which pleases and excites every believer, an Islamic movement, an Islamic revival and an Islamic movement. It is necessary to encourage and guide this awakening towards adhering and clinging to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) as well as warning leaders and individuals within this awakening from exceeding the limits, exaggerating and being extreme in their actions. In accordance with what Allah says in the Qur’aan;

“O people of the scripture, do not exceed the limits in your religion.” [An-Nisaa 171]

The Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) is reported to have said: “O you people, beware of being extreme and exceeding the limits in the religion, for that which destroyed the people before you was none other than extremism in the religion.”

He (Pbuh) also said: “The extremists are destroyed! The extremists are destroyed! The extremists are destroyed!”

Speaking without knowledge

Speaking about Allah without knowledge Beware of speaking about Allah, the Most High, without knowledge. It is not permissible for one who believes in Allah, the Most High, and the Last Day to say: ‘This is halaal and this is haraam’ or ‘This is permissible and this is prohibited’, except with a proof and completely depending upon that. It should be sufficient for him to do what the people of knowledge did before him, and that is to restrain oneself from rushing into saying that which he does not know but rather to say: “Allah knows best” or “I do not know”.

“How excellent is the speech of the angels when they said to their Lord, Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except that which You taught us.” [Al-Baqarah 32]

When the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) were asked about something that they did not know, they would say: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” This is only because of the completeness of their knowledge and their faith and their glorification of Allah, and being far removed from embarking on matters beyond them.

Beware of accusing someone of disbelief or being sinful without proof

Indeed it is a most dangerous matter for one to dare to accuse some one of disbelief or of being sinful without proof and authorization from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). There is no doubt that this is insolence towards Allah and His religion and it is also speaking about Him without knowledge. This is also in contradiction to the behavior of the people of knowledge and faith from among the pious predecessors, radiallaahu ‘anhum. May Allah make us from amongst their
followers in righteousness.

It has been authentically reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: “Whoever says to his brother, ‘O kaafir!’ It returns to one of them.” He also said: “Anyone who called his brother ‘O kaafir!’ Or ‘O enemy of Allah!’ And it was not correct, it would return back to him.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari] i.e., whatever he said falls back on him.

This is a strong threat, warning the people of accusing others of disbelieving and being sinful, except when they have sure knowledge and understanding. This and other evidences are also a warning that one should be careful to guard his tongue, and only say that which is good.

Beware of being hasty.

How many calamities, difficulties and problems have afflicted those who are hasty! The days and nights are going and leaving behind the traces and consequences of hastiness! How much corruption and destruction and un-praiseworthy consequences have occurred because of partisanship and the following of desires? We ask Allah to keep us safe from that.

Beware of partisanship to a group.

It is not permissible for one to blindly follow this person or that person, or the opinion of such and such a person. Nor should he follow blindly the methodology, or group of any individual.

Differing, It’s Effects and Cure

There is no doubt that differing is one of the greatest trials and calamities to befall the Muslim Ummah. It is one of the reasons why efforts are being wasted and truth is lost. Differing among Islamic groups and Islamic centers, harms the Islamic da’wah. The only way that they can succeed is to have a unification of goals and is that they all exert their efforts and work together towards the goal which will secure the power and glory of Islam and the safety of the Muslims. It is necessary for every group, institution and community who want success in the Hereafter to help each other enjoin al-Birr (righteousness) and taqwa (piety). They should be sincere in their actions towards Allah and their primary concern should be the victory of Allah’s deen, so that everyone can join together upon the truth and work upon what Allah has said in His Book

Help you one another in al-Birr and at-Taqwa. [Al-Maaidah 2]

My advice for the daa’ees is that they should make sure that the actions should be done sincerely and purely for the sake of Allah, the Most High, alone. They should help one another in al-Birr and Taqwa and agree to rule by the Qur’aan and Sunnah whenever a disagreement breaks out amongst them, in accordance to what Allah says in the Qur’aan, And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. [An-Nisaa 59]

By this the goal will be one and the same and the efforts to search for success and warn away from following desires will be unified. Allah, the Most High, says,

But if they answer you not, they know that they only follow their own lusts, and who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? [Al-Qasas 50]

Allah says in the Qur’aan addressing His Prophet and His Messenger Daawood,
‘alaihis-salaam,

O Dawood! Verily We have placed you as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth and follow not your desire, for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. [ Saad 26]

Beware of Taqleed (Blind Support of Something without Evidence)

Beware of Blindly Supporting an Opinion Just Because it Agrees With Yours – Or Blindly Opposing an Opinion Because it Conflicts With Yours.

The deen of Allah must be the authority that judges everything. Beware of following your brother just because he agrees with you over an opinion and oppose another because he disagrees with you over an opinion or an issue. This is not being just or fair. We know that the sahaabah differed in issues, but this did not effect the good faith, support and love between them, radiallaahu ‘anhum. So the believer acts by Allah’s laws and he accepts and submits to the truth and he makes it precede everything else.

The believer should not oppress his brother, or act unjustly towards him if he differs with him over an opinion from the issues of Ijtihaad, in which the proofs may not be clear or issues in which there may be differing interpretations of the text. He may have an excuse, so you must advise him and love the khair (goodness) for him and do not allow the differing to induce and prompt aggression and discord between you. Do not enable the enemy to take advantage of you and your brother. And there is no movement or power except with Allah the Most High.

[Source: Excerpted from the book “Words Of Advice Regarding Da’wah” by Sh. ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Baaz (rahimahullah)]