Methods, Techniques and Tools- The Da’iyah

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Have different methods and techniques of affecting people. Nooh(AS) called his people at different times and places: by night and by day, in secret and in public. The Qur’an also uses different methods; it is not always targheeb (to convince) and tarheeb (to Frighten) , and not always stories.

Tell the wisdom of a particular concept, so that they can understand as to why something is halal or haram.

Some du’at only use stories all of the time. The early Muslims called them Al Qassaseen and didn’t like them.

There were others who were called Al Wu’aadh, amongst them were ‘Ubayd bin Umayr who is one of the narrators of Bukhari and Muslim.

Aisha used to say to him:

“O Umair, beware of excess ( to the point of) until boredom ( by the people).

Ibn Mas’ood described the Prophet (saw) saying:

This meant that he would fear to overuse the mawa’idh to the point where they lose their effect.

The scholars also used to say:

“Mawa’idh are like whips”

This meant that after a while their effect is not the same.

“Make things easy and do not make things difficult, give the good news and do not turn people away/off.” (Bukhari)

Sometimes you can also:

·         Praise people.

·         Encourage good deeds or behavior.

·         Give gifts.

·         Send letters.

Points to Ponder:  “(Teach) the important then the less important, and nothing in our religion is not important.”

It’s recommended to:

·         Have knowledge of what you are calling to.

·         Give people what they need, not what they want.

·         Understand that the ends do not justify the means.

Allah is good and accepts that which is good.

Points to Ponder:  “We give people that they need, not what they want. Give them what they need but in the way they want it.”

“Change the method, but not the message.”

BEWARE OF:

1. Being Extreme: How do we determine what is being extreme and what is being moderate?

“O people of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah anything but the Truth…” (4:171)

“The extremists are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed.” (Muslim)

2.       Speaking about Allah without knowledge:

 Say (O Muhammad SAW): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawâhish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse,) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allâh for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allâh of which you have no knowledge." (7:33)

The more you learn the religion, the more easily the religion gets and vice versa.

3.       Partisanship to a group: Nothing cripples Da’wah more than this.

4.       The Opposite sex: Many times the Da’wah begins sincere and then turns sour when emotions develop.

Sufyan Al Thawri said, “I would not be alone with a women even if teaching her the Qur’an.”

5.       Not knowing how to disagree: Not every dissension should lead to separation.

6.       Bida’: Is what you are doing changing the way we worship Allah? Was It something done by the Prophet (saw)? If not, was there a reason why he didn’t do it? Or was there no reason?

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