The Priority Between Knowledge and Calling to Allah

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, what takes precedence in priority: knowledge or calling to the religion of Allah? And if a person has only a little knowledge, should he undertake the call?

Answer:
Knowledge takes precedence over the call; no one has ever called [to Allah] except through knowledge. The condition of the call is knowledge. So one begins with knowledge and understanding the religion, then calls according to his knowledge, not exceeding what he knows, with insight. He does not call to something he does not know, nor does he forbid something he does not know. His call is restricted by knowledge and insight. He learns and understands the religion, and calls to Allah according to the extent of his knowledge, with evidence, saying, “Allah said so and so, and the Messenger of Allah said so and so.” It is not permissible for him to speak about Allah without knowledge.