"Say We believe in God and what is revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and I`saac and Jacob and the Tribes, and what was entrusted to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and to Him we have surrendered." (Quran 3: 84)

The Fundamentals of Da'wah

by Dawud Adib: From QSS Homepage

Introduction

This is one of the ãyãt that our righteous predecessors extract the rules/principles/basics of Da'wah from. The Arabic term is Usool ad-Da`wah and is used interchangeably with the word Minhãj.

Qul

Hãdhihi Sabeelee

The instruction that follows is the Sunnah of Da`wah, and it is very important that it be adhered to. It is as follows:

Ad`oo Ilallãh

There is a science of the Arabic language in which a part of a phrase can be used when it is actually referring to the whole phrase. This science is being applied when the ãyah states to Allãh because it is referring to the Kalimah (Lã ilãha illãllãh). The reverse of this is also a science in which an entire phrase is used when it is actually referring to part of a phrase, e.g. <<They thrust their fingers into their ears... >> (2:19) The word fingers is used but it is actually referring to the fingertips (of possibly only two fingers yet the Jam` case of three or more is used).

So it is here that Allãh tells us to invite the people to Tawheed. Clearly notice that we are not commanded to summon the people to any individual (regardless of how knowledgeable), any organization or masjid, any way of thinking, any project, nationalism, interfaith dialogue, ism or schism, etc. We are only commanded to call the people to the meaning of Lã ilãha illãllãh.

`Alã Baseerah

Baseerah means Daleel and Burhãn (clear proofs and evidences). The word Daleel literally means guide. Often people ask the question "What is your Daleel (evidence/proof from the Qurãn and authentic Sunnah)?" So what they are literally asking for is "guidance" because this is what revelation does - it guides us. Thus, this is HOW we invite the people toTawheed: with proofs/evidences from the Ourãn and authentic Sunnah!

Evidence can be produce by two basic ways:

• Naqlee - transmitted evidence: the Qurãn and authentic Sunnah, and the statements, understanding, and practical application of the Sahãbah, and
• `Aqlee - rational evidence: views based on scholarly understanding of the Qurãn and authentic Sunnah related to the issue at hand (we begin with Sahãbah/ Companions, then the Tãbi`oon/Successors, then the Atbã` at-Tãbi`een/Followers of the Successors, and any of the scholars who follow their Minhãj (which is abiding by the Qurãn and authentic Sunnah and discarding personal, unfounded opinions) e.g. al-Bukhãree, Ibn Taymeeyah, ash-Shawkãnee, M. ibn Abdul-Wahhãb, al-Albãnee and several others; and the linguistics of the Arabic language which must always be dependent on and consistent with revelation. We must note that we always seek an answer from the transmitted texts, and only go to rational points that are made based on Qurãn and authentic Sunnah when we - via the scholars - are unable to find an answer within the transmitted texts.

One of our eminent scholars, Ibn al Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah stated, "Knowledge is what Allãh says, what the Prophet says, and what the Companions say."

Therefore, in light of the above, one must, be knowledgable in whatever he is inviting the people to. This is a very important condition of Baseerah because if one does not know what he's talking about he could be inviting people to Kufr and Shirk and Bid`ah and Kabã'ir and other Muharãmãt. The Prophet said, The seeking of knowledge (of religious matters) is mandatory upon every Muslim (al-Bayhaqee); and Allãh says, <<Everyone must know that there is none worthy of worship except Allãh>> (47:19) and <<invite to Allãh with clear knowledge>> (12:108).

A second condition of Baseerah is that the dã`ee (inviter) should be familiar with whom he is giving da`wah to. This is important because having this knowledge may be beneficial in convincing the invitee(s) to accept Islãm because the dã`ee would know how (or how not) to approach his audience. When the Prophet commissioned Mu`ãdh to be the governor of Yamãn, he abreasted him that he was assigning him to an area that was predominately of Jews and Christians (see Bukhãree vol.9 #469 and Muslim vol. 1 #27). With this information it would be useful for Mu`ãdh to know that he would be around people who had some knowledge of the previously-revealed divine scriptures because the approach we use with a Confucianist would not necessarily be the same approach we use for a Sabean or for a Christian, etc. Likewise, it may be better to send our Muslim brother Mustafã O'Connell to Ireland than it would be to send someone of British origin (because generally people are more comfortable with others who are similar to themselves - and notwithstanding the ongoing conflict between the two nations).

This hadeeth concerning Mu`ãdh is also a proof for the first condition of Baseerah because the rest of the hadeeth informs us that the Prophet told Mu`ãdh to instruct the people in the basics of Islãm. In order for Mu`ãdh to do this he himself would first have to have knowledge of Tawheed, Ittibã` ar-Rasool, Tahãrah, Salãh, etc. And let us take special note that the first tbing that the Prophet ordered him to do was: invite the people to Lã ilãha illãllãh.

A third condition of Baseerah is to be respectful, polite, humble, and the like, yet not compromising any Islãmic principles (like shaking hands with the opposite sex or sipping non-virgin cocktails) -while conveying the Da`wah. Allãh instructed Moosã and Hãroon <<Both of you go to Fir`awn for without a doubt he has transgressed, and speak to him with kind and gentle words>> (20:43,44), and <<If you had been severe and harsh-hearted they would have ran away from you>> (3: 159). Furthermore, we should not insult those things that the disbelievers worship besides Allãh, e.g. in the 70's when I was a member of the Nation of Kufr (the "so called" Nation of Islam) I used to say to my parents "How can we you worship that white, blue-eyed, hippie devil [Jesus]?' Although, both of us was in a state of disbelief when I accosted them in this manner it naturally brought about a defensive response (which will make it harder to convice someone of your point). To ridicule and blaspheme the gods that people worship besides Allãh is in opposition to Allãh's command <<Do not revile those whom they pray to besides Allãh because they will wrongfully revile Allãh>> (6:108).

Also, we don't use rap songs to give Da`wah. Yes, music and instruments existed in the time of the Companions, yet with their knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and practice of Islãm (that will not be superceded by any other generation before their time and after it) did not use music to give Da`wah. In fact they did not listen to music at all.

This third condition of Baseerah means that we do not tell the people the consequences Allãh has planned for anyone who does not live according to His prescriptions and proscriptions. From several ãyãt and ahãdeeth we can see that it is the Sunnah of Allãh and the Sunnah of His Messenger to tell the people about dreadful and tormenting punishments for the disobedient.

Anã wa Manittaba`anee

The Arabic word man is a particle that is general. It is not restricted to any place or time. Whether one is a companion of the Prophet , or is born of Slavic descent, or lives in 17th century Salem, or emerges from the pre-historic Flintstone age, or plays golf on the moon, the whomever, wherever, and whenever does not make any difference - as long as he is following the Prophet he is abiding by the dictates of Allãh. <<Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allãh>> (4:80).

The Da`wah of Islãm has three aspectsto it: Tawheed(monotheism), Ittibã` ar-Rasool (following the Messenger: Sunnah), and Tazkeeyah (sanctification of the heart: the result of believing in Tawheed and following the Sunnah).

Wa Subhãnallãh

Wa Mã Anã Minal-Mushrikeen

Usool ad-Da'wah/Conclusion

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s Sermon About Ramadan