FOUNDATIONS OF OUR DA’WAH

By Shaykh ‘Alee Naasir al-Faqeehee
A short advice to Ahlus-Sunnah regarding the foundations of ad-da’watu Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. Translation by Abul-Hasan Maalik Aadam

 

Review:

The Shaykh started off by informing us that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) was sent with the Deen of Truth that would be victorious over all religions, even if the kaafirs hate it. 

It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islaam), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikun hate (it).

[Soorah At-Tawbah(9):33]

Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner.

[Soorah Al-Fath(48):8]

The Shaykh informed us that there is no oppression in this Deen, in fact it is a mercy for all of the world.

And We have sent you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)) not but as a mercy for the Alamin.

[Soorah Al-Anbiyaa'(21):107]

The Shaykh informed us that the foundation of the Prophet’s (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) da’wah was the CALL TO THE TAWHEED OF ALLAAH ta’alaa,  TO THE WORSHIP OF ALLAAH ALONE.

And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).

[Soorah Adh-Dhaariyaat(51):56]

The Shaykh explained how the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) spent the period in Mecca.  It was spent in the establishment of the call to Tawheed – to the worship of Allaah ta’alaa alone; and to leave off everything that was connected to the worship of idols and false deities, which would not bring them any harm or benefit.

The Shaykh pointed out the reason for the spread of al-Islaam in such a short period of time.  It was due to what the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and his Companions were upon.  The Companions took this deen and called to the hikma.

Invite (mankind, O Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)) to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islaam) with wisdom and fair preaching…

[Soorah An-Naml(16):125]

The Shaykh went onto advise us that those of us who take this Deen and call to the correct teaching, should call with that which is in it, while:

• having mercy
• having kindness
• giving good direction to the people
• being an example for them
• calling them with speech and action
• having good conduct
• directing the people with goodness
• being patience
• calling the people to that which will correct them
• not being harsh, especially to the ignorant as it can turn them away from al-Islaam

The Shaykh mentioned an example that shows the benefits of not being harsh in da’wah especially to the ignorant.  It is the hadeeth of the bedouin who urinated in the mosque of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).  This as we know is a munkar – an evil thing as it brings najaasah – dirt, in the house of Allaah ta’alaa.  The Companions realised this and wanted to treat him with hardness.  They were stopped by the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).  Then he (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) advised the bedouin that this is not the madhab of the masjid, but rather this is something that should be done outside.  The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) was aware that the bedouin was ignorant of the affairs of the masjid.  After the bedouin realised that the Companions wanted to treat him harshly, he replied, “May Allaah have mercy on me and on you (the Messenger (sallallaahu alahi wasallam)) and no one else.”  This was due to the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) dealing with him with mercy.  

Narrated Abu Hurayrah:

A bedouin urinated in the mosque, and the people rushed to beat him.  Allaah’s Apostle ordered them to leave him and pour a bucket or a tumbler (full) of water over the place where he has passed urine.  The Prophet then said, “You have been sent to make things easy (for the people) and you have not been sent to make things difficult for them.”

[Taken from sahihalbukhari.com  (The Book of Good Manners – #5733)]

The Shaykh went onto advise that the religion is sincere advise.  Sincere advise to Allaah, His Messenger, to the Book, to the leader of the Muslims and to the common folk.

From Tameem as-Daaree (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who said that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The Deen is sincerity.  The Deen is sincerity.  The Deen is sincerity.”  We asked, “To whom O Messenger of Allaah?”  He replied, “To Allaah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”

[Taken from ‘Forty Hadeeth on The Call to Islam and the Caller’ page 34.  Reported by Muslim (# 55)(eng. trans. vol. 1, #98)]

The common folk are not from the people of knowledge.  So we have to call them with kindness and mercy.

Aa’ishah, the wife of Allaah’s Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), reported Allaah’s Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) as saying:

Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective. 

[Taken from sahihmuslim.com (#6274)]

The Shaykh told us that the one who calls to the da’wah must have good manners, good conduct and speech when calling the people.  What is desired from the believer is that he wants for his brother what he wants for himself.  

Narrated Anas (radiyallaahu ‘anhu): 

The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, “None of you will have faith till he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”

[Taken from ‘The Translation of the Meanings of Summarised Sahih Al-Bukhaari’ translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, (hadeeth #13 – The Book of Belief)] 

The Shaykh advises to be patient and to like for one’s brother what he likes for himself.  So Allaah ta’alaa will aid him.

The Shaykh then mentions the methodology in giving da’wah:

• Firstly, we start with the Shahaadah, meaning Tawheed – there is no one worthy of worship except Allaah ta’alaa alone.

• Next, the teachings of Ibaadah.  That they are only for Allaah ta’alaa, from the affairs of salaah, sawm, zakaah, Hajj, du’aa, kawf, ri’jaa.  The affairs of calling, fearing, having hope are only for Allaah ta’alaa.  

• We abstain from everything that He has forbidden.  Innovation should be rejected.

Narrated Aa’ishah:

Allaah’s Apostle said, “If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected.”

[Taken from sahihbukhari.com – The Book of Peacemaking (hadeeth #2523)]

• We have to understand the Kitaab and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf.  One should not try to understand these affairs from oneself.  Rather, he should refer back to those who were present, who took the Qur’aan and Sunnah from the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) directly as it was revealed to him.  We must follow the Companions in the da’wah – the calling to Allaah, in one’s character, in the affairs of advice and the likes.
  

And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination!

[Soorah An-Nisaa'(4):115]

The Shaykh went onto say that we must be patient and call to the good with good exhortation.  If you were to come to them with harshness, then the people would not accept it from you and they would leave from around you.

The Shaykh mentioned an example of the methodology of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam):

Narrated Aisha (radhiyallaahu ‘anha):

Once the Jews came to the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and said, “Death be upon you.”  So I cursed them.  The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, “What is the matter?”  I said, “Have you not heard what they said?”  The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Have you not heard what I replied (to them)?  (I said) The same to you.” 

[Taken from ‘The Translation of the Meanings of Summarised Sahih Al-Bukhaari’ translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, (hadeeth #1264 – The Book of Jihaad)]

The Shaykh elaborated the fact that Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) gave back what was like it, without increasing upon that.  He gave back that which was given.  This is how the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) was in directing and teaching the people.  

THE DEEN IS NASEEHAH, CALLING TO THE AFFAIRS OF IBAADAH – the correct worship of Allaah, AND CALLING TO THAT WHICH IS BETTER.  

Then the Shaykh advises us before closing that the Salafies must be upon patience.  They must have patience and good exhortation in their da’wah.  Maybe the people will not follow you directly or accept it from you.  Nuh (alaihi wasallam) remained calling his people for a period of 950 years.  He made great efforts in calling them day and night, in open and in private.  This only increased them in turning away with haughtiness.  

The Shaykh concludes by counseling us to remember that numbers is not what is to be considered, but rather what is to be considered is the manhaj of the Haqq – the Truth.