METHODS OF DA’WAH

RKUD 3030

Method /Manhaj/minhaj (pl. manÉhij): : a way of doing something – order

UslËb (pl. asÉlÊb): ways, method, manner and style

WasÊlah (pl. wasÉÒil): means, medium

DÉÑÊ: the caller MadÑË: the called

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Method: It is “a way of doing something,” or “an order,” or “an efficient habit.”

Methodology: It is “a set of methods used in a particular area of activity.”

The Arabic term for method is منهج – Manhaj or منهاج - Minhaj (pl. مناهج - Manahij): “Open, plain and easy road,” or “programme.”

The word Minhaj occurs in the Qur’an: ( 48المائدة: )“ ���ا منكم�� جعلن� ”شرع�ة ومنهاجالكل

“To each among you We have prescribed a law and a clear way.” (al-Maidah: 48).

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Other Arabic words related to method(s): Uslub (pl. Asalib) meaning – أسلوب

“ways, method, manner and style”, Wasilah (pl. Wasa’il) meaning – وسيلة

“means, medium”. Method(s) of Da‘wah, hence, denotes: 1. “ways of doing Da‘wah,”2. “ways of propagation of or inviting others to

Islam,” and 3. “ways of informing others about Islamic way

of life.”

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Literal Meaning: • The Arabic term (دعوة) Da‘wah is a verbal noun of the root verb (دعوى) Da‘awa or (دعا) Da‘aa that signifies the following meanings:

• “to pray, • to supplicate, • to desire or require, • to call or summon, • to invite people to food, and • to call to one’s aid.” *Reference: Arabic-English Lexicon, Edward William Lane (London:

Willams & Norgate, 1863), p. 883.

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The term دعوة - Da’wah signifies: “A single time or act of prayer and of

imprecation ‘calling down a curse that invoke to evil’ (دعاء - Du‘aa’),

the call (نداء - Nida’) the call to prayer (أذان - Adhan) a call or an invitation to Islam ( دعوة -

Da’wah) An “invitation to food” (وليمة - Walimah) Confederation to aid or assist (حلف -

halfun)” (Lane, 1863, p. 884).

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1. ‘Abd al-Karim Zaydan (1981, p. 5) in his Usul al-Da‘wah defines it as:

“The call to Allah, as Allah says: ( ذه���� ه�قلس�بيلي أدع�و إل�ى الله� عل�ى بص�يرة أنا �) (ومن� اتبعني 108يوسف: ) “Say this is my way, I call on Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follow me” (Yusuf: 108), so what is meant by ‘call to Allah’ is the call to his religion, and that is Islam: ( ��� عند الله�� الدين�إن) (اإلس�الم 19آل عمران: ) “Indeed religion with Allah is Islam” (al-‘Imran: 19) which Muhammad (a.s.w.) brought from His Lord.”

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2. Adam ‘Abdullah al-Aluri (1988, p. 17) in his Tarikh al-Da‘wah Ila Allah Bayna al-Ams wal-Yawm:•Firstly “Changing the opinion of the people and their thinking either to ‘aqidah, which is beneficial to them or to interest (maslahah) which also benefits them”, and,

•Secondly “a call to save man either from committing an error which they closely fall into it or from misfortune which encircled them.”

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3. Muhammad al-Ghazali (1997, p. 13) in his Ma‘a Allah defines Islamic Da‘wah as:

“a perfect programme that consists of all required knowledge that mankind is a need in order to know the purpose of their life, and trace his path of life as experienced by guided people.”

4. Al-Shaykh al-Bahi al-Khuli (1984, p. 39) defines it as:

“Shifting the Ummah from one situation to another (i.e. from the stage of ignorance to knowledge)”.

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5. RIDZUAN A. WU (1990, p. 53) defines Islamic Da’wah as:

“The introduction of beliefs and teaching of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims. To non-Muslims it is essentially the introduction that there is Creator, and that life in this world is temporary and man will face God in the Hereafter. … For people who believe in Islam, Da‘wah would imply the translation of this belief into personal, family, day to day life as well as his social, political, economic life as whole.”Islamic Da‘wah is also the “communication of Islam to Muslims as well as non-Muslims.”

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6. M. MANAZIR AHSAN (1989:3-4) asserts that: Da‘wah is a continuous process, “a perpetual endeavor aimed at inviting one’s own self, every Muslim and all those who are not yet Muslims to embrace Islam willingly and completely.”

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Imam Tabari: Calling people to Islam by word and action. (Tafsir al-Tabari, 11/53)

Ibn Taymiyyah: Calling to Allah (swt), which includes calling people to belief in Allah (swt) and what were sent to the Prophets, and certifying what they conveyed and submitting to what commanded. (al-Fatawa, 25/157)

Ibn Faris says, da’wah is to incline something to oneself by means of speech or word. (nadhrah al-Na’im).

Al-Muqarri says, the word da’wah is used to mean invocation, request and inclination to Allah’s bounty. (Musbah al-Munir)Abd al-Qarid al-Razi says, da’wah is derived from dua’ which stands for appealing something to all the people and inspiring them to materialize it. (Mukhtar al-Sihah)Al-Bayanuni: Conveying the message of Islam, educating people about teachings of Islam and applying them in practical life. (al-Madkhal Ila Ilm al-Dawah, 19) In Encyclopedia of Islam, da‘wah is also explained as the duty to “actively encourage fellow Muslims in the pursuance of greater piety in all aspects of their lives.” 

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It can be concluded that Islamic Da‘wah is:

a call for people to know, then choose, accept and practice Islam as their way of life.

a process of reviving the Islamic ways and its system in both, the individual and the societal aspects of life.

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The nature of Islamic Da‘wah is universal - a call addressed to all human beings.

It is directed to: 1. the black,2. the white,3. the Muslims, and4. the non-Muslims.

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It is not limited to a particular: 1. race, 2. color, 3. community, or 4. religion.

Islamic Da‘wah introduces humanity to a new order – the Islamic transcendental way of life.

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• Methods of Islamic Da‘wah are very much needed as they enable the Muslim Caller to inform both, Muslims and non-Muslims about the beauty of Islam as a comprehensive way of life, which comprehends all aspects of human life – the seen and the unseen.

• The Prophet (a.s.w.) conveyed Islam to others in such a way. Allah (s.w.t.) says:

ا�علين�اوم المبين�البالغ�إاليس

•“And our duty is only to convey plainly (the message).” (Yasiin: 17).

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1. To inform people about Islamic values,2. To make people appreciate Islam,3. To give to people a clear understanding

of Islam,4. To avoid chaos in society,5. To show Islam through examples,6. To differentiate Islam from other

religions in term of propagation.

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�(ادع� إل�ى س�بيل ربك� بالحكمةوالموعظة� الحس�نة وجادله�م

(النح�ل: بالت�ي هي� أحس�ن...)125(

• This Qur’anic verse points out the following methods:

1. Wisdom, 2. Goodly advise, and 3. Debate in gracious manner.

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According to ‘Abd al-Karim Zaydan (1999, pp. 413-416):

1) The Qur’an,2) The Prophetic Sunnah,3) Sirah al-Salaf al-Salih (Way of Pious

Predecessors),4) Results of Muslim scholars’ inquiry,5) Experience.

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Ab. Aziz Mohd Zin (1991, pp. 78-80), summarizes the sources of Islamic Da‘wah into three:

1) The Qur’an, 2) The Sunnah, and 3) Experience.

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Abdullah Muhammad Zin (1995, pp. 10-12) views that the true guidance is very much needed by every single person.

Without it (the guidance), people will be in the state of a great loss, i.e. they will not know Allah (s.w.t.) and His commandments and will not be able infuse them in their deeds.

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The objectives of Da‘wah are:1. to guide people to the religion of Allah

(s.w.t.),2. to establish evidence against those who

decline from or oppose the religion,3. to discharge the duty enjoined on every

Muslim by Allah (s.w.t.), and4. to exalt the Word of Allah (s.w.t.) on earth.23

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According to Ab. Aziz Mohd Zin (1997, pp. 29-37) the objectives of Da‘wah are:

1. To make sure that man will know the purpose of his life, i.e. to obey Allah (s.w.t.) by worshipping Him alone and serve humanity. Allah (s.w.t.) says:

� إال )��� واإلنس��� الجن���ا خلقت��وم) (ليعبدون 56الذاريات: )

“I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve (worship) Me.” (al-Zaariyaat: 56)

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2. To lead man to the right path, which grants him success and the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). This is done by bringing man out of the darkness to the light of Iman:

بل ) ��� س�� رضوانه�� اتبع�� من�� الله�يهدي به�ى �� إل�� الظلمات��م من�الم ويخرجه ��السراط �����ى ص���� إل���� ويهديهم���النور بإذنه) (مستقيم 16المائدة: )

“Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light,- guideth them to a path that is straight.” (Al-Maidah: 16)

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3. To establish baldatun tayyibah (a fair land) which is governed by a fair government:

( �لقد كان� لس�بإ ف�ي مس�كنهم آية� جنتان �زق� ربكم ع�ن يمين� وشمال� كلوا م�ن ر� غفور�� ورب�� طيبة�� بلدة� (واشكروا له( 15سبأ: )

“There was, for Saba, afore-time, a Sign in their home-land, two Gardens to the right and to the left. ‘Eat of the Sustenance (provided) by your Lord, and be grateful to Him: a territory fair and happy, and a Lord Oft-Forgiving!’” (Saba’: 15)

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4. To prepare Muslims with all available powers:

( �باط وأعدوا له�م م�ا اس�تطعتم م�ن قوة� وم�ن ر �الخيل� ترهبون� به� عدو الله� وعدوكم� وآخرين�ا �� وم�� يعلمهم�� الله�� ال تعلمونهم��ن دونهم�م �تنفقوا م�ن شيء� ف�ي س�بيل الله� يوف� إليكم) (وأنتم ال تظلمون 60األنفال: )

“Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.” (al-Anfaal: 60).

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5. To attain the light of Iman:( �ال�ر كتاب� أنزلناه� إليك� لتخرج� الناس �من� الظلمات� إل�ى النور بإذن� ربهمإ�براهيم: ) (إل�ى ص�راط العزيز الحميد1)

“A. L. R. A Book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light - by the permission of their Lord - to the Way of (Him) the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!-.” (Ibrahim: 1)

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6. To attain the pleasure of Allah:

( * �رضية ارجع�ي إل�ى ربك� راضية� م�ي ��ي ع�بادي * وادخل��ي ف�فادخل) (جنتي 30-28الفجر: )

“Come back thou to thy Lord,- well pleased (thyself), and well-pleasing unto Him! * "Enter thou, then, among My devotees! * "Yea, enter thou My Heaven!” (al-Fajr: 28-30)

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i) Clear Message:( ��وال أن ��س � ر�ة � أم��ي كل��ا ف�ولقد بعثن� واجتنبوا الطاغوت������ (...اعبدوا الله( 36النحل: )

“And We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), ‘Worship Allah, and avoid Evil’…” (al-Nahl: 36)

ii) Gradual Approach (tadarruj):For example, in introducing duties and prohibitions, a gradual approach is used. 30

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iii) Easiness and simplicity: (... �ر وال يريد بكم �يريد الله� بكم� اليس) (...العسر 185البقرة: )

“… Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you…” (al-Baqarah: 185)

iv) Merciful and friendly preaching:(��ل ) (... فبم�ا رحمة� من� الله� لنت� لهم�آ

159عمران: )“And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. …” (Aal ‘Imraan:159).

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v) Giving the rationale behind certain commandments:For example, the prohibition of wine, gambling, etc. Allah (s.w.t.) says: ( �يطان� أ�ن يوقع� بينكم� العداوة إنم�ا يريد الش

والبغضاء ف�ي الخمر والميس�ر ويص�دكم ع�ن �نتهون الة فهل� أنت�م م � (ذك�ر الله� وعن� الص( 91المائدة: )“Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain? (al-Maidah: 91)

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vi) Message conveyed must suit the audience’s thinking, culture and education. ‘Ali (r.a.) said: “ يعرفون بما الناس ”حدثوا“Speak to the people according to what they know.”

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1. Content

2. Style of Presentation

3. Media

4. Strategy

The Main Components of Methods of Da‘wah

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The content of Da‘wah should: be correct and clear, include problems faced by the audience, andbe according to the level of audience’s education, culture and thinking.

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It must be vary according to the situation, place and time. For instance, the method of preaching can sometimes be:

1) soft:( �اذهب�ا إل�ى فرعون� إنه� طغ�ى * فقوال لهى ��ر أو يخش � يتذك��ه: ) (قوال لينا لعله�ط

43-44 )"Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds; ‘But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah).’” (Ta-Ha: )

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2) firm (to those who adore earthly life)

� وال (�� أموالكم�� آمنوا ال تلهكم��ا الذين��ا أيه�ي �أوالدكم� ع�ن ذكر الله� وم�ن يفعل� ذلك� فأولئك

)9هم الخاسرون) (المنافقون: “O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the

remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.” (al-Munaafiquun: 9)

3) indirect: For example, when a youth asked permission from the Prophet (a.s.w.) to allow himself to commit adultery. The Prophet (a.s.w.) asked him whether he would be pleased if such thing will happen to his mother, sister, wife, or daughter.

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'the mean does not justify the objective.'

- employ lawful means-It is not permissible to make use of any mean that is forbidden in essence as a pretext to convey the Message- necessary to distinguish between means that are forbidden in essence from means that are essentially lawful but are chiefly employed in forbidden tasks or for forbidden purposes

First: the individual method; that is, to invite the person individually if the matter pertains to him specifically.

Second: public or mass propagation such as in lectures or exhortations that

benefit the generality of people.

Third: private lessons to students each in his specialty. This is the task of the scholars who specialize in their disciplines.Forth: da’wah through writing, correspondence and authorship with guidance for those who are called.Fifth: da’wah using modern means of communication to advance the cause of truth. Eg. audiovisuals and computer software such as radio, television, video, cd, Lcd, Dvd and the Internet (WWW, e-mail etc) and telephone (sms), fax etc.

-Da’wah is not by words only.- Establishing Da'wah institutions, designing educational programs, conducting camps with Da'wah themes or even personal dialogue with neighbours and work or student-mates- Any thing that helps to establish the religion

- through oration, eg. e.g. Khutbas, lessons, etc.

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Da‘wah must be carefully conducted by employing strategic planning and action.

The Prophet (s.a.w.), began his Da‘wah with his family and his Companions:

(��� األقربين� (وأنذر عشيرتك( 214الشعراء: )

“And warn your tribe of near kindred.” (al-Shu‘araa’: 214). 47

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The Prophet’s Da‘wah was conducted stage by stage, i.e., secretly then openly.

Choosing the correct audience. You have to study the audience before you communicate with them.

The migration. A Muslim must use migration as a means of promoting Islamic tenets. 48