Role Of Kindness And Gentleness When Giving Da’wah

Introduction

The contemporary dā’ī (preacher) is one who proselytizes to non-Muslims (da’wah) and reforms wayward and ignorant Muslims (ʾiṣlāḥ). They achieve this through volunteering in local projects, encouraging engagement in religious programs and seminars, counselling people in need, enjoining good and forbidding evil (al-‘amr bil maʿrūf wa nahy ʿan al-munkar), defending the weak, being honest in their personal and professional dealings and disseminating Islāmic literature.

Calling others to Islām and reformation can be a thankless and tiring endeavor. Many people do not wish to be counseled nor appreciate being advised, particularly in regards to religious matters. A preacher may also face hostile interlocutors and be maligned by those they wish to guide. However, a dā’ī must always remember that their objective is to be an instrument of guidance. One can combat misconceptions through benevolence and employing an assertive methodology.

Guiding Non-Muslims and Reforming the Believers

An effective dā’ī debates in a kindly manner by presenting evidence, asking thought-provoking questions and using analogies. When one is involved in public da’wah it is inevitable that debates with agnostics, atheists and ′Ahl al-Kitāb (People of the Book) will ensue. One must take great care in explaining the fundamentals of the religion (uṣūl al-dīn) and the principles of monotheism (tawḥīd) as they relate to the Lordship, worship and names and attributes of Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى). Shaykh Rabī’ al-Madkhalī (حفظه الله) stressed that whilst all preachers must begin their call to Islām with tawḥīd, the very foundation of the religion, many are actually ignorant or do not implement, the prophetic da’wah methodology (1997, p. 152).

A preacher must also recognize that Muslims are in need of reformation. Many members of the Islāmic faith community are breathtakingly ignorant in matters of dīn (religion), may be involved in hedonistic pursuits or misguided by charlatans (Ruwaybidah) feigning religious knowledge. As such, a dā’ī must also exercise patience towards their co-religionists just as they would when conveying the basics of the religion to non-Muslims.

If a dā’ī employs the wrong approach their efforts, albeit well intentioned, can drive people further away from the religion. An effective preacher must temper their da’wah tactics with kindness and gentleness, yet also remain true to Islām’s principles.

Examples of Kindness and Gentleness from the Qurʾān

The Qurʾān is replete with commandments, admonitions and reminders. It is the blueprint by which every caller to Islām must base their da’wah upon. In the Qu’ran there are numerous examples, related to the theme of kindness and gentleness, that correlate directly to proselytizing and being the means of guidance for others. Three such exemplars are laid bare below.

The following āyah (verse) conveys how prophet Muḥammad gave da’wah to the ṣaḥābah (companions) (رضي الله عنهم), “And by the Mercy of Allāh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you…” (Qu’rān 3:159, Khān & Al-Hilālī translation). Al-Maḥallī and as-Suyūṭī (1459/2007) stated in their tafsīr (exegesis) that this referred to how the prophet (ﷺ) made things easy for the companions when they disagreed with him (p. 160).

Imām al-Qurṭabī (رحمه الله), quoted in al-Ilaahi (n.d.) explained that the āyah related below is a reminder to those who call others to the dīn (religion). If prophet Musa (عليه السلام) was commanded to speak to Fir’aun (Pharaoh) in a mild manner, even though he was an oppressive ṭāghūt (false deity), then this is even more appropriate when commanding the good and forbidding evil to others (p. 22). “And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allāh)” (Qu’rān 20:44).

Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى) states, “And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better…except with such of them as do wrong…” (Qu’rān 29:46). This methodology focuses on the preacher calling ′Ahl al-Kitāb to acknowledge the signs and proofs of their Creator in a kind manner, albeit standing firm against those of ′Ahl al-Kitāb who commit wrongdoings (al-Maḥallī & As-Suyūṭī, 1459/2007, p. 861). Thus, a preacher is to debate in a kindly manner yet also remain resolute upon the fundamentals of Islām.

Examples of Kindness and Gentleness from Ḥadīth

The aḥādīth (recorded sayings, actions and / or tacit approvals of the prophet ) literature provides extensive examples that enjoin the dā’ī to beautify their da’wah. If one truly desires the guidance of others they would do well to take note of the ḥadīth narrated by Jarīr bin 'Abdullāh (رضي الله عنه) that the prophet said, 'Whoever is deprived of gentleness, he is deprived of goodness' (Hadith #6599, Book 45, Chapter 23) (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). Clearly it would be unproductive to have da’wah material presented, or speeches made, by one who is divested of such goodness.

ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها), the mother of the believers, narrated that Muḥammad said, 'There is no gentleness in a thing but it adorns it, and it is not removed from something but it mars it' (Hadith #6602, Book 45, Chapter 23) (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim). This prophetic advice stresses that one’s proselytizing mission will be spoiled if it lacks gentleness whilst if one adopts a kind, tender and non-hostile approach it will be beautified. Many dā’īs spend considerable time and money preparing their da’wah resources and activities. Thus, it pays dividends to adopt a tranquil approach to maximize one’s da’wah opportunities.

Conclusion

Regardless of race, background, ethnicity or religious affiliation it is universally acknowledged that being severe towards others is counter-productive. If one truly desires to guide others to a better outcome whether it be in religious practice, personal growth or professional development, then a kind and gentle approach is the only way forward. This is because no-one can tolerate heavy-handed tactics. It should come as no surprise that many avoid harsh preachers, even if they have noble virtues. One can only advise a person if they are prepared to listen and are wise in their approach. Ultimately this can only be achieved with tranquility and calmness in both demeanor and methodology.