Many of our brothers, friends, relatives, and the general public are far removed from religion; how should we call them to it? Please advise us.
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The questioner : The questioner says: Many of our brothers, friends, relatives, and the general public are far removed from religion. How should we call them to it? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : In reality, this question may lead the listener to assume that most people are at the level described by the questioner, meaning they are far removed from Islamic religion. The truth, praise be to Allah, is the opposite. Many people today, especially the youth, are close to Islamic religion. It is true that some of the youth are corrupt, arrogant, and averse to the truth, but praise be to Allah, the majority of the youth are turning to religion and adhering to its rulings. This is a sign of a good future for this Muslim community, as the youth’s turning to religion is not limited to the youth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but is general in all Islamic countries. However, this youth needs wise leadership from among them. This leadership must be based on knowledge of the Shari'ah and wisdom in conduct. Some people lack knowledge of the Shari'ah and declare what is lawful to be forbidden, and what is recommended to be obligatory. They oblige people with what is not obligatory upon them in the Shari'ah and prevent them from what is permitted to them in the Shari'ah, based on their religious emotion, but it is an emotion built on ignorance.
Some people have knowledge but lack wisdom in their conduct. They have knowledge and know the truth, and they do not oblige people with more than the truth, but they have poor conduct. They speak with violence and react with violence, and they become angry if their desires are not fulfilled overnight. This is also an error. One must be calm, one must be patient, one must have knowledge, and one must have a broad chest in matters where people disagree without a decisive text that clarifies the error of one of the parties.
I say that the Muslim world, especially its youth, is turning toward good. As for those among them who are astray, their guidance is easy, by the permission of Allah. How many people have been guided by a simple, easy occasion with the slightest thing. You can go to this person in whom you see deviation and mix with him for a day or two, or as Allah wills, and explain to him the reality of Islam and noble morals. By his nature and fitrah (the innate natural disposition), a person is inclined toward good. Allah the Exalted said:[Ar-Rum 30:30] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1385.
For example, you can give this person a gift, and a gift brings affection. You can invite him to your home and honor him. You can go to him for a friendly visit, or the like. You can also give him tapes containing sermons, or give him books containing sermons, to gradually draw them in.
The Shaykh : In reality, this question may lead the listener to assume that most people are at the level described by the questioner, meaning they are far removed from Islamic religion. The truth, praise be to Allah, is the opposite. Many people today, especially the youth, are close to Islamic religion. It is true that some of the youth are corrupt, arrogant, and averse to the truth, but praise be to Allah, the majority of the youth are turning to religion and adhering to its rulings. This is a sign of a good future for this Muslim community, as the youth’s turning to religion is not limited to the youth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but is general in all Islamic countries. However, this youth needs wise leadership from among them. This leadership must be based on knowledge of the Shari'ah and wisdom in conduct. Some people lack knowledge of the Shari'ah and declare what is lawful to be forbidden, and what is recommended to be obligatory. They oblige people with what is not obligatory upon them in the Shari'ah and prevent them from what is permitted to them in the Shari'ah, based on their religious emotion, but it is an emotion built on ignorance.
Some people have knowledge but lack wisdom in their conduct. They have knowledge and know the truth, and they do not oblige people with more than the truth, but they have poor conduct. They speak with violence and react with violence, and they become angry if their desires are not fulfilled overnight. This is also an error. One must be calm, one must be patient, one must have knowledge, and one must have a broad chest in matters where people disagree without a decisive text that clarifies the error of one of the parties.
I say that the Muslim world, especially its youth, is turning toward good. As for those among them who are astray, their guidance is easy, by the permission of Allah. How many people have been guided by a simple, easy occasion with the slightest thing. You can go to this person in whom you see deviation and mix with him for a day or two, or as Allah wills, and explain to him the reality of Islam and noble morals. By his nature and fitrah (the innate natural disposition), a person is inclined toward good. Allah the Exalted said:
So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people
فأقم وجهك للدين حنيفا فطرت الله التي فطر الناس عليهاEvery child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism
كل مولود يولد على الفطرة فأبواه يهوّدانه أو ينصّرانه أو يمجّسانهFor example, you can give this person a gift, and a gift brings affection. You can invite him to your home and honor him. You can go to him for a friendly visit, or the like. You can also give him tapes containing sermons, or give him books containing sermons, to gradually draw them in.