The Manners of the Du’aat (Callers to Islam) and their Characteristics: Part 3

Three – al-Hulm war-Rifq (Tolerance and Gentleness):

“…Thirdly, from the manners that are befitting for you to act upon O’ Caller (to Allah) is to be tolerant in your invitation (to Islam), gentle concerning it, bearing all levels of patience as the messengers used to do, peace be upon them. Beware of hastiness, beware of hostility and harshness. Be patient, be tolerant, be gentle in your invitation (to Islam or to practice it). Some of the evidences have preceded you about this such as His statement, the Glorious and Lofty:

{Call to the path of your Lord using wisdom and good admonition. And speak with them in a manner which is good.} an-Nahl: 125

And His statement, the Glorified:

{And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently.} Aali ‘Imraan: 159

And His statement, the Glorious and Lofty concerning the story of Musaa and Haaroon:

{Speak to them in a gentle way perhaps he will reflect or fear.} Taahaa: 44

And in the authentic narration the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: (O Allah, whoever acquires sovereignty over the affairs of my people and is kind to them then be kind to him! O Allah whoever acquires sovereignty over the affairs of my people and is hard upon them then be hard upon him!) It was related by Muslim in as-Saheeh.

O servant of Allah you must be gentle in your invitation (to Islam or to practice it). Do not be hard on the people. Do not run the people off from the religion. Do not run them off by your harshness and ignorance not by methods of hostility, hurt, and harm. You must be tolerant and patient, easy and gentle when speaking. Using good words to influence your brother’s heart, influencing the heart of the one being called to, until the person accepts your call and will be open to it, impressed by it, and he will commend you for it and thank you for it. As for hostility then it only alienates, not a cause of bringing closeness, it divides, not unites.

Therefore gentleness is a must as he, peace & blessings be upon him, said: (Indeed gentleness is not contained within something except that it beautifies it. And it is not removed from something except that it renders it terrible.) And he, peace & blessings be upon him, said: (Whoever prevents gentleness then all good will be prevented.)

So it is obligatory for the Muslim to be gentle in his invitation (to Islam or to practice it), (and use) good methods until he is responded to and does not face rejection or use manners that are not suitable…”

Ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (may Allah have mercy upon him)
Min Aqwaal Samaahah ash-Shaykh Abdul-Azeez Ibn Baaz fee ad-Da’wah
Pages 57 - 58
Translated by Aboo Imraan al-Mekseekee-May Allah guide him