DUTY OF CARE IN DA'WAH

  

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

13th August 2020

When we warn against insults and mockery in the process of da'wah, those who do not care about the use of hikmah (wisdom) in so doing will be quick to say: 

Hidāyah (Guidance) is in Allāh's Hand. Whether admonition is given with insult or not, if Allāh has destined that the person being admonished will be guided, he will be guided. And if Allāh has destined that he will not be guided, no amount of good words will guide him.

I heard this statement from Baba Jabata severally whenever he was advised regarding his methodology of ridiculing those he claim to be advising. The truth is that many who are not with Baba Jabata on his da'wah of Takfeer are also saying the same thing to justify their wrong methodologies. 

The above statement is good and correct, but it should not be used as an excuse to justify emotional da'wah . While it is important to believe in qadar (predestination), it is also important not to use qadar to justify wrongdoings. The fact that Allāh has destined and wishes something to happen does not necessarily mean He loves that thing. When it happens that a person being admonished is insulted, it is the wish of Allāh for that to occur because nothing happens without is knowledge and wishes, but Allāh does not love insult in the process of da'wah. The clear and uncontroverted instruction of Allāh on this matter is where He said:

اُدْعُ اِلٰى سَبِيْلِ رَبِّكَ بِا لْحِكْمَةِ وَا لْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَا دِلْهُمْ بِا لَّتِيْ هِيَ اَحْسَنُ ۗ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ ضَلَّ عَنْ سَبِيْلِهٖ وَهُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِا لْمُهْتَدِيْنَ

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided. (QS. An-Nahl: Verse 125)

As clear as this verse is, many would still want to twist it in order not to follow this very important rule of engagement in da'wah (calling to Allāh). Some people would even say: are you now saying harshness is not allowed in da'wah? Yes, harshness is allowed where appropriate. It is allowed where it is foreseen that it will yield positive fruits. However, a harsh methodology need not be vulgar or insultive. A scholar can be harsh in his presentations while still being mindful of his utterances. Many of our noble teachers upon Sunnah have exhibited it many times without stress. May Allāh honey them.

Then, when people want to hide under qadar to defend their injustice, they forget that there is sabab (cause) for every qadar. For instance, if a person stabs another person and the victim dies as a result, it is true that Allāh has destined that the person will die. But the person who stabbed him cannot raise qadar as a defence here. He should still face the wrath of the law because he ought to have foreseen the consequence of his action. 

Applying this to the need to give da'wah with wisdom and beautiful words always, it is very clear that some du'aat's manner of presentation has led and still leading many away from the path of guidance (the Sunnah). So, the defence that 'Allāh has destined that those people will be misguided" is untenable. Every caller to the path of Islam (and Sunnah) must be careful in the ways they disseminate their messages. They must always foresee the consequences of their foul words whenever they want to give admonition because it is likely to affect the chances of people accepting the truth or rejecting it. If an individual is misguided due to the way and manner you have approached him, then you will also be answerable to Allāh regarding his misguidance if your poor presentation is the sabab (cause) of his misguidance.

I am not exonerating myself on this. In fact, I am not saying I have never been guilty of the wrong I am condemning here. This admonition goes to all of us who have taken up the duty of calling people to goodness and warn them against evils. Let us not forget ourselves in the cause of guiding people. We also need guidance always. 

We all owe a duty of care towards those that we address on the pulpits and other platforms. No one is perfect, but we must watch our tongues. We must avoid foul and obscene words as much as possible. As we have the duty to ensure that the contents of our admonitions align with the truth (Qur'ān and Sunnah), we must make sure that our method of presenting it too aligns with the rahmah (mercy) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the companions رضي الله عنهم.

May Allāh guide us all aright.