What is the ruling on the callers to Allah who begin their da'wah by addressing trials instead of matters of creed?
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The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh: Some callers to Allah believe that we should begin the da'wah with certain other matters instead of creed, due to the trials they see. We ask for clarification on this topic.
The Shaykh : If you are calling disbelievers, it is obligatory to begin with the oneness of Allah (tawhid), because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu'adh to Yemen and said: But if you are calling Muslims who hold some defective beliefs, do not confront them by denying these beliefs, because they believe them to be part of the religion. Rather, urge them to prayer, urge them to charity, to fasting, and to Hajj, until they become accustomed to you and feel at ease with you. Then, after that, explain that what they are upon is an error and a religious innovation (bid'ah).
So, one distinguishes between the state of the one being called, because if a disbeliever is started with tawhid and he denies and rejects it, he is a disbeliever from the start. But this person is a Muslim who erred in the innovation he introduced, thinking it to be the truth.
So, I do not confront him by denying it, because perhaps, what? Perhaps he will be repelled and not accept anything from me. But I call him to matters in which there is no disagreement, such as matters of prayer, charity, fasting, and Hajj. Then, after that, when they feel at ease with me and see that my speech is the truth, it is very easy for me to enter into the topic of the innovations they are upon and explain that it is forbidden (haram) and that one must abandon it. Yes, that is right.
The Shaykh : If you are calling disbelievers, it is obligatory to begin with the oneness of Allah (tawhid), because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu'adh to Yemen and said:
Let the first thing you call them to be: the testimony that there is no god but Allah
ليكن أول ما تدعوهم إليه: شهادة أن لا إله إلا اللهSo, one distinguishes between the state of the one being called, because if a disbeliever is started with tawhid and he denies and rejects it, he is a disbeliever from the start. But this person is a Muslim who erred in the innovation he introduced, thinking it to be the truth.
So, I do not confront him by denying it, because perhaps, what? Perhaps he will be repelled and not accept anything from me. But I call him to matters in which there is no disagreement, such as matters of prayer, charity, fasting, and Hajj. Then, after that, when they feel at ease with me and see that my speech is the truth, it is very easy for me to enter into the topic of the innovations they are upon and explain that it is forbidden (haram) and that one must abandon it. Yes, that is right.