| Manhaj - Methodolgy |
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Characteristics of a Da’ee - (The inviter to Allah’s path, one who gives Dawah)
It
is essential for a Daa’ee to correct his intention so that he sees all
the affairs in their true perspectives so that they are not disguised
(dressed) by false adornments (decoration), keeping in mind the saying of
our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
“The
actions are Innama (only, certainty) tied to the intentions and every
person will earn that which he intended.” [Bukhari, and Muslim]
When
his heart is settled with good and sincere intention, then it will be easy
for him to realize the true state of the Ummah today, and the humiliation,
which the Muslims are suffering.
A
Daa’ee should strive towards beneficial knowledge and righteous actions
and bear in mind to set a good example with fine character, for actions
speak louder than words. Everybody’s eyes are on him, so he should act
in accordance with the responsibility he is given, in knowledge; actions
and Dawah, having patience upon any harm people may cause. As this was the
attitude of our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) through his
whole life.
The
Daa’ee should take great care about being lazy about what Allah has made
obligatory and from falling into that which He has forbidden – for
others will follow him in it. It is important that he takes care in
reviving the Sunnah, in order to encourage the people to follow it. It is
an obligation and responsibility of the people of knowledge over and above
everyone else.
The
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Everyone is a
shepherd, and is responsible for his flock.” [1]
Daa’ee
guides them to the ways of salvation and prevent them from the ways of
destruction; implants between them love for Allah and His Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), being firmly established upon His Deen,
yearning for Allah’s Paradise and His Mercy, being cautious of the Fire
of Hell, for it is and evil abode.
He
should be aware of saying ‘Soon’ - Abdullah bin 'Umar (radhi allahu
anhu) said, "Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) took hold
of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a
traveler." The sub-narrator added: Ibn 'Umar (radhi allahu anhu) used
to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive
in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be
alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and
(take) from your life for your death." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, # 8.425.
Narrated by Mujahid]
Time
is of utmost value, it is one of the principle blessings from Allah, so
seize the opportunity and take from it what is good and beware of saying
soon, for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “There
are two blessings which many people lose. (They are) health and free time
for doing good.”
The
value of time can be seen from what the scholars of tafseer say regarding
Soorah al-Asr (no.103) where Allah swore an oath by time: “By
al-Asr (time), man is in lost.”
Fakhrur
Razee says in his Tafseer (32/84): “Allah, the Most High, swore an oath
by time, due to the amazing things it contains happiness and adversity,
health and illness, and wealth and poverty all occur in it, and nothing is
equal to it in value. So if you were to waste a thousand years uselessly,
but then repent and success was confirmed for you in the last moment of
your life then you will remain in Paradise forever. The best of all things
was your life at that moment. Time is one of the blessings, so Allah
swears an oath by it, and indicates that the day and the night is an
opportunity which mankind wastes! And that the time is more excellent than
the place – so He swears an oath by it, since time a pure blessing
containing no blemish, rather the one at loss and the blameworthy is man!
The
caller should be careful and precise in everything what he hears from the
people or what he reads in books. It is obligatory upon him to carefully
check and verify everything, which reaches his hears before spreading.
Narrated
Aboo Hurayrah t who said that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) said: “It is sufficient falsehood for a person that he
narrates everything which he hears”
Do
not under take giving lectures and lessons without thorough preparations,
as your role is one of great importance, one shouldn’t take it lightly.
It is sad to see a Daa’ee goes to lecture not knowing what he will say?
Do
not relate a hadeeth unless you know that the people of knowledge have
ruled in favor to its authenticity.
Do
not hasten to give fatawas without verification, for passing ruling
without knowledge is a great sin and it’s punishment is severe
Desist
from saying “There is a difference in opinion in this issue” or
“There are two opinions in this issue” in order to flee from teaching
the true position. It is incumbent upon the people of knowledge that they
adhere to the great principles (beliefs, ideology) of the Book of Allah
and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Call people
to it and direct the students to it, making sure that there objective is
always, “Allah said…” and “The Messenger said…” acting
accordingly, directing and guiding people to it.
Divisions
and disputes are not permissible, nor to invite people to join one group
or another, nor to take the opinion of this person or the sayings of
another. Rather it is necessary that the call is one: the Call to Allah
and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): the Book of Allah and the
Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): nor to the madhhab
of this person or the dawah of the other: nor to this persons group or the
opinion of another.
It
is incumbent upon the Muslims that their way and their goals are one –
and that is adherence to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
As
for what yields from the differences amongst the people of knowledge in
the four schools of thought and others, then it is compulsory that you
take from that which is closest to the truth. That is the saying, which is
closest to what Allah has said in the Qur’aan and His Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) in the Hadeeths.
This
is the way of the scholars, as it was the way of the Sahabah (radhi
allahu anhu) who are the scholars after the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam). They were the most knowledgeable of people with regards to
Allah and they were the best of people and most perfect in knowledge and
manners. They also differed in some issues but still their call was one
and their way was one, calling to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Likewise, those who came after
them, they forbade their students from Taqleed
[2]
saying
‘take from where we took.’ Meaning the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.
Whoever
is ignorant of the truth then it is compulsory for him to ask the people
of knowledge, who are recognized with knowledge, merit, correct aqeedah,
and biography of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).
The
Most High says in His Book: “ So ask the people of knowledge if you know
not.” [Soorah an-Nahl (16): 43]
If
the scholars differ then it is compulsory to return to Allah and His
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam):
“…
if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His
Messenger …” [Soorh an-Nisaa (4): 59]
“And
in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah…” [Soorah
ash-Shoorah (42): 10]
It
is essential that the goal of the Muslim is one and that is to follow the
Book of Allah and the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) in all
instances: in hardship and in comfort, in difficulty and in ease, when
traveling and when residing – in every condition. When the people of
knowledge differ, then one should look at their saying and support that
which is in agreement with the evidence without prejudice against anyone.
[1]
The
full text is as follows: Abdulla Ibn Umar (radhi Allahu anhu) narrates
that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said “Everyone is a
shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd and
is responsible for his subjects a man is a shepherd for hid
households, and the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her
husband’s house and his offspring. The slave of a man is a guardian
of his master’s property and he is responsible for it. Surely each
of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” [Reported by
Imaam al-Bukhari in his Sunnah]
[2]
Taqleed-
Blind Following: Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (rahimahullah) says in his
Nooniyyah: “Knowledge is the realization of the guidance with its
proofs – that and blind following are not equal.
Imaam
Ibn al-Jawzee (rahimahullah) says in Talbees Ibless: “Know that
verily the blind followers does not have any trust in what he follows.
Taqleed suspends the use of the intellect, whereas the intellect is
created for thinking and reasoning. It is stupidity when a man is
given light to show him the way, he extinguishes it and walks in
darkness.”
