ABOUT CALLER:-
The individual who as accepted the duty of calling others to Allaah must possess certain
characteristics to effectively convey the message. These attributes are mentioned in the
Qur’aan and preserved in the record of the divinely guided lifestyle of the Prophet (r).
1. Knowledge
The foremost quality that the daa‘ee (caller) should have is that of knowledge which is
itself a prerequisite for faith. One must have sound knowledge of what one is inviting
others to. If the Muslim missionary is ignorant, his message will appear weak and
incapable of withstanding close scrutiny. This does not mean that the daa‘ee must know
all of Islaam before inviting others. However, it does mean that he should have clear
knowledge of whatever limited area of Islaam he is inviting others to. Allaah, Most Great
and Glorious, instructed the Prophet (r) to inform others that his call to Islaam was
based on knowledge.
“Say: This is my way and I invite to Allaah with certain knowledge ...”
Soorah Yoosuf, (12): 108
Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad (r) made the pursuit of knowledge an obligation on
all Muslims.
2. Kindness / Gentleness
It is essential that the daa‘ee be soft in conveying the message because harshness could
easily discourage people from listening to the truth. Allaah addressed this issue with
regard to the Prophet himself saying:
“If you were harsh and hard hearted, they would have fled from around you.”
Soorah Aal ‘Imraan, (3): 159
Furthermore, it was as a result of Allaah’s mercy that the Prophet (r) was gentle
to those he invited to Islaam.
“And by the mercy of Allaah you dealt with them gently.”
Soorah Aal ‘Imraan, (3: 159)
The daa‘ee must always consider the fact that Allaah instructed Prophets Moosaa and
Haaroon to gently communicate the message of Islaam to Pharaoh who was, at that time,
claiming that he was God.
“So speak to him, both of you, mildly in order that he may reflect or fear God.”
Soorah Taa Haa, (20): 44
The Prophet (r) also prayed saying:
“O Allaah, be hard on whoever acquires control over the affairs of my nation and is hard
on them. And be kind to whoever gains control over the affairs of my nation and is kind
to them.”1
Gentleness in da‘wah affects the hearts of those being invited and makes them
want to listen to the message. The Messenger of Allaah (r) was reported by his wife,
‘Aa’ishah to have said,
“Whenever gentleness is in a thing it beautifies it and whenever it is withdrawn from
something it defaces.”2
And he was quoted by Jareer as saying,
.
“One deprived of gentleness is deprived of all good.”3
3. Wisdom
In disseminating the message of Islaam, the daa‘ee must adjust himself or herself to each
situation and use the most appropriate material.
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom ...”Soorah an-Nahl, (16): 125
Some scholars of tafseer explain that “wisdom” mentioned in this verse refers to the
Qur’aan and the Sunnah due to the wisdom which they contain as well as the guidance to
righteousness and happiness.4
In reference to wisdom Sh. Ibn Baaz said:
“A part of wisdom is to clarify the meaning and explanation in effective ways. [The
caller] does this in the language of the one whom he is calling so he can understand [the
message]. The daa‘ee continues in this way until the one being called has no doubt
remaining in his mind, and the truth, which may have been hidden due to a lack of
explanation, or persuasive da‘wah in his own language … now becomes apparent to
him… If there is a need for religious admonition, then the daa‘ee should preach
mentioning the suitable verses and hadeeths which concentrate on encouragement and
warnings. The heart of the one called will then awaken and be attracted to the truth.”5
4. Patience
Most people who come to Islaam do so after a faith-seeking journey. Consequently, only
a very few begin their search and end it with the same person. When declarations of faith
are given it is after many stops on the road. Someone may start the person off and many
help on the way and someone else helps the person finally declare their faith. Therefore,
the responsibility of the daa‘ee is to convey the message and not to put faith in peoples
hearts. As Allaah informed His Messenger (r) and his followers:
1 Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p. 1016, no. 4494.
2 Ibid., vol. 4, p. 1370, no. 6274.
3 Ibid., vol. 4, p. 1370, nos. 6270-6271.
4 Tafseer Ibn Kathir, vol. , p.
5 Words of Advice Regarding Da‘wah, p. 66.
“Your responsibility is only to convey [the message] and the accounting is on Me.”
(Soorah ar-Ra‘d, 13: 40)
5. Morality
Great stress has been placed in Islaam on good moral character. Prophet Muhammad (r)
summarized the essence of the Islamic message saying,
.
“Indeed, I was only sent to complete the most noble of character traits.”6
And Allaah said in the Qur’aan,
“Surely you (Muhammad) have a magnificent character.”
(Soorah al-Qalam, 68: 4)
The Prophet’s companion, Ibn ‘Abbaas explained that “character” here meant “religion”,
i.e., Islaam.7 By using the term “character” to refer to the religion of Islaam, Allaah
stresses the importance of morality in relationship to the religion. It was also reported that
when the Prophet’s wife ‘Aa’ishah was asked about the Prophet’s character, she replied,
“His character was that of the Qur’aan.”8 That is, his manners were according to Allaah’s
instructions in the Qur’aan. Consequently, the development of good character depends on
closely following the Qur’aan and the teachings of the Prophet (r). In this regard, Allaah
also said in the Qur’aan:
“Indeed you have in the Messenger of Allaah a beautiful example (of
conduct)...” (Soorah al-Ahzaab, 33 :21)
Thus, the rites and rituals of Islaam cannot be separated from good manners. An-
Nawwaas ibn Sam‘aan quoted the Prophet (r) as saying,
“Righteousness is good character and sin is what itches in your heart and you dislike that
people would find out about it.”9
Islaam teaches man how to lead a morally righteous life by pointing out the proper way to
live. Any Muslim who displays bad manners such as swearing or lying is either a
6 Narrated by Aboo Hurayrah and collected by al-Bukhaaree in al-Adab al-Mufrad, al-Haakim and al-
Bayhaqee in Shu‘ab al-Eemaan. It has been authenticated in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ as-Sagheer, vol.1, p.464,
no.2349.
7 Tafseer al-Qur’aan al-‘Atheem, vol. 4, p. 429
.
8Sahih Muslim, vol. 1, pp. 358-360, no. 1623, Sunan Abu Dawud, vol. 1, pp. 351-2, no. 1337 and
Ahmad.
9 Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, pp. 1358-9, no. 6196.
hypocrite pretending to be a Muslim or a very weak Muslim. Faith is inseparable from
action. Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Prophet (r) as saying,
“The believer whose faith is most complete is he whose character is best.”10
Consequently, throughout the Qur’aan, whenever Allaah instructs humankind to believe,
He always links faith with command to do righteous deeds. Aboo Hurayrah reported that
the Prophet (r) did the same, saying, for example,
“Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, he should
be kind to his guest and he should either speak good or be silent.”11
That being the case, there should be an underlying principle of morality at the
base of all Islamic teachings. Islaam covers all aspects of human existence; spiritual,
social and economic. Consequently, there is in Islaam a network of moral principles
governing all human relations with God, with other humans, as well as with the
environment in which humans exist. For example, from an Islamic perspective,
worshipping others besides God would be considered morally wrong and bad character,
in the same way that lying to others or littering the environment would be considered
morally objectionable. Therefore, it may be assumed that each of the pillars of Islaam and
Eemaan were designed to develop a particular set of moral characteristics. Without
understanding the moral and spiritual goals of the pillars, they remain empty rituals
which cannot benefit anyone in the next life.
10 Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmithee, vol. 1, p. 340, no. 928
.
11 Sahih Muslim, vol. 1, p. 32, no.76.
SOURCE:- DR. BILAL PHILIP , BOOK OF DAWAH
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