What the caller to Allah begins with in Muslim countries
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
He says that he wishes to call people to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in some of the Islamic countries. With what should he begin? Should he start with the softening of hearts or with tawhid (the oneness of Allah)? Please guide us, may Allah bless you.
Answer:
If he has knowledge of what he is calling people to, if he has knowledge with insight, and if he has the prerequisites for da'wah (calling others to Islam)[An-Nahl 16:125], then he should place his reliance on Allah and call people to Allah. However, he should begin with 'aqidah (creed) first. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu'adh when he was sent to Yemen: "You will come to a people from among the People of the Book. So let the first thing you call them to be Sahih al-Bukhari 2157. If they respond to that, then inform them that Allah has made obligatory upon them a charity (zakah) that is taken from their rich and returned to their poor."
It is not permissible to begin with minor acts of worship and advice for those who have shirk (associating partners with Allah) and kufr (disbelief); it is necessary to rectify the 'aqidah first. However, if they are monotheists and have sound 'aqidah, but they are shortcoming in sins and actions, then he should advise them and call them to abandon that. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you,
He says that he wishes to call people to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in some of the Islamic countries. With what should he begin? Should he start with the softening of hearts or with tawhid (the oneness of Allah)? Please guide us, may Allah bless you.
Answer:
If he has knowledge of what he is calling people to, if he has knowledge with insight, and if he has the prerequisites for da'wah (calling others to Islam)
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُto testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is His Apostle
شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول اللهIt is not permissible to begin with minor acts of worship and advice for those who have shirk (associating partners with Allah) and kufr (disbelief); it is necessary to rectify the 'aqidah first. However, if they are monotheists and have sound 'aqidah, but they are shortcoming in sins and actions, then he should advise them and call them to abandon that. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you,
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 02/235 — archive.org (13:58)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.