Calling to Allah with Wisdom
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Wisdom: It is to place things in their proper positions.
And among wisdom is knowledge: that one should know what he is calling to, and also know the condition of those he is calling. As for knowing what he is calling to, he must have knowledge of the Shari'ah; he must know that this is truth so he calls to it, and know that this is falsehood so he warns against it. As for a man who is ignorant and does not know, yet calls and claims that Allah inspires him when he speaks and addresses people, this is an error. Rather, he must know first, then claim; because if he does not know what he is calling to, he may go astray and lead others astray as well. It is difficult for a person to rectify people after they have been led astray by someone who claims to be a caller, and to remove this misguidance.
And if he speaks of what he does not know, he has fallen into what Allah has forbidden him,Allah the Exalted said: [Al-A'raf: 33] ,And Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Isra: 36] So how can you call to what you do not know? And he must have knowledge of the condition of the one being called so that he may treat him according to his status. For there is a difference between calling a person who is ignorant and simple, who knows nothing, and who is gentle in nature and good-hearted; his calling is easy, and he submits to the slightest reason. And between calling a man who is rebellious, who has argumentation and an eloquent tongue; this requires strong calling, in a convincing, clear, and distinct style, built upon evidence from the Book and the Sunnah, and also upon evidence from reason; because some people have weak faith in the Book and the Sunnah, but when you mention to them reasonable things, they submit and are unable to argue. So you must know the condition of those you are calling to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) so that you are aware of the matter regarding how to call them. Therefore, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu'adh to Yemen, he said to him: (You will come to a people of the Book), explaining their condition to him so that he would be prepared to face them and know how to address them.
And if he has knowledge—meaning the caller has knowledge—of the conditions of those being called, he will treat them according to their status. If they are among those who use gentle speech, he will be gentle with them in speech. And if they are among those who use harsh speech, he will be harsh with them in speech, and there is no harm in that.For Allah says: [Al-'Ankabut: 46] So these who have wronged are to be treated in a manner befitting their wrongdoing, and "wrongdoing" here means defiance,Meaning: defiance of the truth and evasion.
And among wisdom is knowledge: that one should know what he is calling to, and also know the condition of those he is calling. As for knowing what he is calling to, he must have knowledge of the Shari'ah; he must know that this is truth so he calls to it, and know that this is falsehood so he warns against it. As for a man who is ignorant and does not know, yet calls and claims that Allah inspires him when he speaks and addresses people, this is an error. Rather, he must know first, then claim; because if he does not know what he is calling to, he may go astray and lead others astray as well. It is difficult for a person to rectify people after they have been led astray by someone who claims to be a caller, and to remove this misguidance.
And if he speaks of what he does not know, he has fallen into what Allah has forbidden him,Allah the Exalted said:
Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know."
قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالْأِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَنْ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَاناً وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَAnd do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.
وَلا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُولاًAnd if he has knowledge—meaning the caller has knowledge—of the conditions of those being called, he will treat them according to their status. If they are among those who use gentle speech, he will be gentle with them in speech. And if they are among those who use harsh speech, he will be harsh with them in speech, and there is no harm in that.For Allah says: