Are the means of da'wah (calling others to Islam) matters of independent legal reasoning or matters restricted to the texts?

The questioner : You mentioned, may Allah preserve you, the distinction between means and ends, and that a means carries the ruling of its end. Are the means of da'wah (calling others to Islam) to Allah the Exalted matters of independent legal reasoning or matters restricted to the texts?

The Shaykh : There is no doubt that the means of da'wah (calling others to Islam) are intended to reach the truth. The greatest, most beneficial, and most complete thing by which people are called is the Book of Allah and what is authentic of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). However, some people do things not intending them to be means of da'wah (calling others to Islam), but rather intending to win hearts through them so that the youth do not turn away. For example, he makes playing football a means of winning hearts, but in a manner based on modesty and avoiding foolishness.
Such that the players intend nothing but exercise and physical activity, with complete covering and avoiding idle talk, cursing, insulting, and the like. He says: I do not intend this to be a means of da'wah (calling others to Islam), because I know that the means are the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). But I intend to win hearts so that people do not turn away from attending, and the like. I see no harm in this, and I do not call it a means of da'wah (calling others to Islam), but I call it winning hearts.