Are the methods of da'wah (calling to Islam) based on divine text or independent legal reasoning, and what is their criterion and what are examples of their methods?
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The Shaykh : Regarding this: The means of da'wah (calling to Islam) to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) are answered with this criterion. For example, we now have these means, such as the loudspeaker. This means did not exist in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the reason for adopting it was not that Muslims were falling short in performing some of what Allah has prescribed. Therefore, we see that adopting this means, as long as it achieves a prescribed objective, is permissible, even if it is an innovation. The difference between innovations in religion and innovations in means is a very fundamental difference, the criterion for which is that we look at the intention in each of the religious innovation, which falls under the general scope of his (peace be upon him) saying: , and the innovation that is among the means, as we gave an example of earlier. We find that the intended meaning of bid'ah (religious innovation) is: increasing the means of drawing near to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He), and there is no room for increase in this, as we mentioned in our lecture before the 'Asr prayer.
As for adopting these means, the intention is not to increase drawing near to Allah through them, but rather to achieve a legal objective, which is: expanding the circle of conveying the message, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the hadith narrated by al-Bukhari:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2669Sahih (Darussalam).
Therefore, expanding the circle of conveying what Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has prescribed through an innovative means is a permissible matter if it is necessitated by need and public benefit.
Every innovation is misguidance.
كل بدعة ضلالةAs for adopting these means, the intention is not to increase drawing near to Allah through them, but rather to achieve a legal objective, which is: expanding the circle of conveying the message, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the hadith narrated by al-Bukhari:
Convey from me, even if it be an Ayah, and narrate from the Children of Isra'il, and there is no harm, And whoever lies upon me purposely, then let him take his seat in the Fire.
بلغوا عني ولو آية، وحَدِّثوا عن بني إسرائيل ولا حرج، ومن كذب عليَّ متعمدًا فليتبوأ مقعده من النارTherefore, expanding the circle of conveying what Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has prescribed through an innovative means is a permissible matter if it is necessitated by need and public benefit.
