What are the qualities required in a da'i (caller to Islam)?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner:
What is your opinion regarding a pleasant face and a good appearance for the da'i? Is it obligatory that he possess these?
The Shaykh:
Yes, it is obligatory that the da'i be of good character, have a relaxed face, speak kindly, not be frowning, not be gloomy, and not be quick to anger. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was the best of people in character, may Allah send blessings and peace upon him.
The presenter:
Welcome.
The Shaykh:
He should call people with wisdom, as Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:[An-Nahl 16:125].
Allah said regarding the disbelievers: He said[Al-'Ankabut 29:46]. And they are disbelievers; how much more so with a Muslim?
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Mishkat al-Masabih 1894 the idol. It reached us through a path, meaning it is flat. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Bulugh al-Maram 16:98 Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim 2:128 Thus, the messenger should be of good character, pleasant in disposition, with an open face, good in speech, pleasant in speech, not harsh, not severe, and not contemptuous. And Allah the Exalted said: [Ali 'Imran 3:159] You did not stray from the limit. And Allah said to Moses and Aaron when He sent them to the cursed Pharaoh, who says, "I am your Lord," from above. Yes, a piece. Most people call him Moses and Aaron: [Taha 20:44].
It is said that some of the preachers entered upon al-Rashid and said, "Shall I stand and be severe so that he can bear it, O Commander of the Faithful?" He said, "No, my brother, no. You are not better than Moses and Aaron, and you are not more famous than Pharaoh. I am not Pharaoh, and you are not better than Moses and Aaron. And Allah said to Moses and Aaron, 'Say to him a gentle word, perhaps he will remember or fear.' So, remind him of the truth. Thus it should be. Say to him good. Yes.
The questioner:
So know that you will find the story of Ka'b ibn Malik, where the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was angry with him.
The Shaykh:
That he disobeyed what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had decreed. When he informed him of the truth, he said, "You have spoken the truth." Then he boycotted them; because they disobeyed with full knowledge. This is not a matter of being content with less, nor a matter of ugliness, nor a matter of violence, but rather he informed of the legal ruling and ordered their boycott.
The questioner:
Some people say.
The Shaykh:
Boycott, and change one's face towards him if he disobeys Allah or commits aggression through fighting or through religious innovation. This is another matter, an exception. Boycotting one who deserves boycott and one who is exposed to it has another status.
What is your opinion regarding a pleasant face and a good appearance for the da'i? Is it obligatory that he possess these?
The Shaykh:
Yes, it is obligatory that the da'i be of good character, have a relaxed face, speak kindly, not be frowning, not be gloomy, and not be quick to anger. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was the best of people in character, may Allah send blessings and peace upon him.
The presenter:
Welcome.
The Shaykh:
He should call people with wisdom, as Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُAllah said regarding the disbelievers: He said
And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best
وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُAnd the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
God’s messenger as saying, “Do not consider any act of kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother
صلى الله عليه وسلم لا تحقرن من المعروف شيئا ولو أن تلقى أخاكYou (people) cannot satisfy people with your wealth
إنكم لا تسعون الناس بأموالكم"But you spend them with your relaxed face and good character."
ولكن يسعه منكم بسط الوجه وحسن الخلق،So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِAnd speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]."
فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰIt is said that some of the preachers entered upon al-Rashid and said, "Shall I stand and be severe so that he can bear it, O Commander of the Faithful?" He said, "No, my brother, no. You are not better than Moses and Aaron, and you are not more famous than Pharaoh. I am not Pharaoh, and you are not better than Moses and Aaron. And Allah said to Moses and Aaron, 'Say to him a gentle word, perhaps he will remember or fear.' So, remind him of the truth. Thus it should be. Say to him good. Yes.
The questioner:
So know that you will find the story of Ka'b ibn Malik, where the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was angry with him.
The Shaykh:
That he disobeyed what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had decreed. When he informed him of the truth, he said, "You have spoken the truth." Then he boycotted them; because they disobeyed with full knowledge. This is not a matter of being content with less, nor a matter of ugliness, nor a matter of violence, but rather he informed of the legal ruling and ordered their boycott.
The questioner:
Some people say.
The Shaykh:
Boycott, and change one's face towards him if he disobeys Allah or commits aggression through fighting or through religious innovation. This is another matter, an exception. Boycotting one who deserves boycott and one who is exposed to it has another status.
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ ابن باز Alsheikh Binbaz»، 078 ما الصفات المطلوبة في الداعية؟ للإمام ابن باز — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.