The Qualifications That Must Be Present in the Caller to Islam

Question:
What are the qualifications that must be present in the Muslim caller who invites an atheist, a Jew, or a Christian to Islam? In other words: is any Muslim capable of being a caller to Allah?

Answer:
Not every Muslim is capable of it, except after learning. Calling to Allah requires knowledge, and it also requires the language of the person being addressed. And Allah the Exalted says: [Yusuf: 108], meaning: with knowledge. So whoever wants to call people to Allah, let him learn and gain understanding in the religion, and let him pay attention to the Noble Qur'an, its exegesis, and the understanding of its meanings. Let him attend the gatherings of the scholars, attend the circles of knowledge, and ask the scholars about what is difficult for him, until he is qualified for the call. If he finds in himself the strength for that, and consults with those of his teachers whom he trusts, so that he is qualified for the call, and so that they direct him to what is appropriate, and advise him on what he should employ, then if he finds in himself the ability—because he has a collection of evidence from the Shari'ah, from the Book and the Sunnah, on any of the topics he wants to call to or discuss—then he speaks. And if the language of the one being called is not Arabic, he must seek the help of a trustworthy person who understands the language, to be an intermediary between him and the caller in directing him to good and guiding him to the truth in the language he understands, through someone who knows the mentioned language and is known for knowledge and virtue. And if the caller knows the language, this is a great blessing; he calls to Allah in the language that the person being addressed understands and knows.
In any case, the qualifications that must be present in the caller are that he has knowledge, and that he has forbearance and insight, so that he calls to Allah with clarity, gentleness, and softness, and in a style that affects the one being called. And he must be righteous in himself, so that the one being called does not object to him by saying: "You are calling me to such and such, and you are an open sinner; your deeds contradict your words, and your words contradict your deeds." He should be eager to act upon what he calls to, and to avoid what he forbids. So the caller represents his call with his actions, his character, and his conduct with people.
It is also necessary that he have a memorized collection of authentic hadiths, and of the reports of the righteous Salaf who carried out the call, so that he may emulate them, along with the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and the care for its memorization and reflection on its meanings, and seeking help from the words of the renowned Imams of exegesis, known for knowledge, virtue, and sound creed, such as Imam Ibn Jarir, al-Baghawi, Ibn Kathir, and others of the Imams of exegesis from whose words one benefits in interpreting the words of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) .
So the conclusion is: that insight is necessary, and noble character is necessary. He must be of noble character in his forbearance, his speech, his actions, and his methods, so that the one being called does not find a gap through which to enter upon him to belittle him or to disparage his call, and say: "You are not as you claim." Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.