It is said that the caller to Islam must not be strict in matters of the Sunnah and must avoid matters that cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation); is this correct, and how?
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The questioner : It is said that the caller to Islam must not be strict in matters of the Sunnah and must avoid as much as possible the matters that...
The Shaykh : What first? Does he contradict?
The questioner : It is said that the caller to Islam must not be strict in matters of the Sunnah and that he must have a policy that is roughly distant from the Sunnah; is this correct and beneficial in matters of da'wah (calling others to Islam)? And if that is the case, is it permissible for us to follow it? And how do we reconcile it with the Sunnah?
The Shaykh : And reconcile?
The questioner : The concern for the Sunnah, meaning.
The Shaykh : The truth is that the Sunnah, especially in its general meaning, is not permissible for a Muslim to turn away from it, even temporarily. A Muslim, especially if he says or is said to be a caller, must call to Islam; Islam is a whole that cannot be divided. He must explain to people everything related to Islam. But the matter is as it was said: "Knowledge, if you seek it, is much, and life is short in acquiring it, so prioritize the most important of it, then the next". The caller should focus on calling to the most important thing, then the next, and so on. But if in a certain occasion a sin becomes apparent from some people that contradicts the Shari'ah in some rulings that are not from the fundamentals of the Shari'ah, but the time is a time of explanation and a time of enjoining good and forbidding evil, it is not permissible for him to conceal that in the name of policy. Rather, he calls to the Sunnah that he knows in that occasion. But as Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nahl 16:125] So Allah the Exalted did not say, "Call to one thing and leave another," but He commanded calling with wisdom, good admonition, and what is best. For example, if there is a person praying in a mosque and he sees next to him a young man in the prime of his life praying while wearing a gold ring, some people may see in the policy of da'wah (calling others to Islam) that he should remain silent and not advise this praying person about this contradiction. This is from the Shari'ah policy. When will he advise him? He may miss him and not see him again. Therefore, the issue and the scenarios multiply and repeat, especially from the person, as I said at the beginning of the answer, if he has appointed himself to call to Islam, it is not permissible for him to call to some of Islam and leave the rest. But he must focus on the most important, then the next; this is necessary. But he sees the munkar (what is wrong) and remains silent about it for a day, two days, three, four, a month, two months, claiming that this is the policy of da'wah (calling others to Islam). The matter was not so in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) nor in the time of the righteous Salaf (the earliest generations). Rather, the rule in that is from two aspects: from the aspect of style, and you have heard the previous verse; and from the aspect of the generality of the command, which is comprehensive for everything. Because there are many texts, and the most famous of them is what is known to us all: Sahih Muslim 49a If he sees a munkar (what is wrong) that he cannot change with his hand, he descends to the second level and changes that munkar (what is wrong) with his tongue with what is best, as in the previous verse. If he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith. It did not say, "If the wisdom of da'wah (calling others to Islam) or the policy of da'wah (calling others to Islam) requires silence, no." It said, "If you are able." As long as you are able to change the munkar (what is wrong), whatever it is, as long as it is, as mentioned in the question, contrary to the Sunnah, it is upon us to explain. Then . The reality is that the problem is not a problem of dividing... Islam and making it two sections: a section we call to immediately and another section we call to later or do not call to at all. This is not the problem, especially since there is no book written explaining the Islam that we must call to immediately and the Islam that we must call to later or not call to at all, claiming that this is what the policy of da'wah (calling others to Islam) requires. There is no such book, and it is not possible for such a book to exist. So where does this division come from for the one who claims and wants to divide Islam into two sections: a section we call to directly and a section we postpone or delay? And what is his evidence? This, in reality, should be from the greatest of the Muslim scholars until perhaps he is allowed this division. Where are these people? We know those who take charge of da'wah (calling others to Islam) do not know of Islam except a little, and then they themselves contradict this rule.
I say it frankly: those who theoretically call for dividing Islam into two sections, an important section to start with and another section not to be occupied with, we know that these people call for matters that may not be Islam in any way at all, let alone be from the Islam that is from the first important section. And we have spoken about this much and much, and therefore we limit ourselves to this, and this is sufficient, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
The Shaykh : What first? Does he contradict?
The questioner : It is said that the caller to Islam must not be strict in matters of the Sunnah and that he must have a policy that is roughly distant from the Sunnah; is this correct and beneficial in matters of da'wah (calling others to Islam)? And if that is the case, is it permissible for us to follow it? And how do we reconcile it with the Sunnah?
The Shaykh : And reconcile?
The questioner : The concern for the Sunnah, meaning.
The Shaykh : The truth is that the Sunnah, especially in its general meaning, is not permissible for a Muslim to turn away from it, even temporarily. A Muslim, especially if he says or is said to be a caller, must call to Islam; Islam is a whole that cannot be divided. He must explain to people everything related to Islam. But the matter is as it was said: "Knowledge, if you seek it, is much, and life is short in acquiring it, so prioritize the most important of it, then the next". The caller should focus on calling to the most important thing, then the next, and so on. But if in a certain occasion a sin becomes apparent from some people that contradicts the Shari'ah in some rulings that are not from the fundamentals of the Shari'ah, but the time is a time of explanation and a time of enjoining good and forbidding evil, it is not permissible for him to conceal that in the name of policy. Rather, he calls to the Sunnah that he knows in that occasion. But as Allah the Exalted said:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
ادعو إلى سبيل ربك بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة و جادلهم بالتي هي أحسنHe who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمانYou are not a controller over them.
لست عليهم بمسيطرI say it frankly: those who theoretically call for dividing Islam into two sections, an important section to start with and another section not to be occupied with, we know that these people call for matters that may not be Islam in any way at all, let alone be from the Islam that is from the first important section. And we have spoken about this much and much, and therefore we limit ourselves to this, and this is sufficient, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.