Da’wah’s Necessity and Method in the Modern World (Part Seven)
Tolerance or Practical Wisdom as the Foundations of Invitation
In the process of inviting others, practical wisdom must be applied, and conversations should be conducted considering the understanding and comprehension of the people. The inviter (Da’i) should have sufficient knowledge of the individuals and be familiar with their intellectual and occupational circumstances. Additionally, the inviter should be time-conscious, understand human psychology, and carefully consider the environment in which the invitation is taking place. If the inviter acts inappropriately, disregards the timing and circumstances of the individuals, and does not speak in a manner that resonates with them, it may have a negative effect. The Holy Quran says: «وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ.»
When it is said that the prophets spoke to people in their own language, the meaning of “language” is not limited to words and phrases alone. Rather, it refers to the style of expression, manner of communication, and method of explanation and guidance that they used during their preaching.
When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Muadh ibn Jabal and Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with them) to Yemen, he instructed them to… «یسرا و لا تعسّراً و بشرا و لا تنفِّرا»؛ “Make things easy, do not make them difficult; give glad tidings and do not drive people away.”
For this reason, in the process of inviting others, more emphasis should be placed on virtues and the use of encouragement and motivation, as human nature generally responds more positively and quickly to these methods. Warning and admonishment should be introduced at a later stage.
Once, a Bedouin entered the Prophet’s Mosque and began to urinate in a corner. The Prophet’s companions stood up to stop him, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «دعوه و أریقوا على بوله سجلاً من ماء أو ذنوباً من ماء فانما بعثتم میسرین و لم تبعثوا معسرین» Translation: ”Let him finish urinating, then pour a bucket of water over the area and clean it. Truly, Allah has sent you to make things easy, not to make them difficult.”
The Prophet’s Mosque was covered with sand and pebbles, and the individual involved was likely a new convert who was unfamiliar with Islamic etiquette. It would have been natural for the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to become angry, as the man had shown disrespect. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his companions how to deal with such individuals gently. He addressed the Bedouin, saying, “O brother! Mosques are not built for this purpose; they are established for the worship and reverence of the Lord of all worlds.”
Thus, he taught both his companions and his Ummah how to handle similar situations in the future.
A young man once approached the Prophet and said, “I want to become a Muslim, but I cannot give up fornication! Will my Islam be accepted or not?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, “Do you have a mother?” The young man replied, “Yes.” The Prophet then asked, “Would you like someone to commit fornication with your mother?” The young man said, “No!” The Prophet continued, “Do you have a sister?” The young man replied, “Yes.” The Prophet asked again, “Would you like someone to commit fornication with your sister?” The young man answered, “No!” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “Likewise, others do not want their mothers, sisters, and womenfolk to be involved in fornication.” After this, the Prophet placed his blessed hand on the young man’s chest. The young man later recounted that after this, the desire and thought of fornication completely left his mind.
Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “One should not forget that this tolerance, wisdom, consideration of expediency, and recognition of people’s capabilities and potential were observed in matters of teaching and nurturing minor issues. However, when it came to matters of faith and principles related to the fundamentals of religion and the sanctity of Allah’s boundaries, the prophets (peace be upon them) were as firm as mountains and stronger than steel, showing no leniency or flexibility.”
Invitation to the Hereafter
The most important principle of invitation (Da’wah) is to direct people towards the hereafter and the pursuit of eternal happiness. Sometimes, the core focus of the invitation is to instill the thought of the afterlife. The afterlife should be the primary focus of those who invite others to Islam. The prophets (peace be upon them) did not consider the thought of the hereafter as merely a moral necessity or a reformative factor essential for creating an ideal society; rather, they equated belief in the hereafter with certainty, purity, and the intense longing that dominates one’s thoughts and emotions.
One should speak of the hereafter with enthusiasm and passion, inspiring people to pursue it with fervor. This motivation is also one of the factors that enhance and establish the relationship between the Creator and His creation. Furthermore, referencing Quranic verses and Hadith, as well as using stories and examples from the Quran and Hadith, can play a significant role in conveying the spirit of Da’wah to the audience, addressing doubts, convincing them, and instilling hope and confidence.
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