Principles of the Salafi Manhaj (methodology) in Dawah

Why the need to learn the Fundamentals of  

The Manhaj of 

Dawah? 

This is a time, in which we hope that Mercies (of Allah) descend
upon us, Angels honor us, and Allah mentions us in the presence
of those who are with Him - because this effort of ours;

: to listen to the Speech of Allah and the sayings of His Messenger,
: to understand (to have the Fiqah of) them,
: to know what as-Sabiqoon al-Awwaloon from the
Muhajireen and the Ansaar (i.e., the Sahabah), and those
who followed them in good were upon,

is in a time when the Fitan (trials, tribulations) are setting off, the
day and night are unsettled, the (Straight) Path has become
vague for many people, and many have been deviated from it.

It is therefore, necessary that there be constant reminders
of the Order of Allah and His Manhaj, which He has assigned for
His Messenger r, the Sahabah and those who followed them in
their Manhaj.

Dawah is

, without doubt, a distinctive trait of this ummah, a

distinctive characteristic of the followers of Prophet Muhammad shalallahu alayhi wassalam.

"Say (O Muhammad r), 'This is my Sabeel;
I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge,
I and whosoever follows me (must also invite others to Allah)
with sure knowledge. Glorified and Exalted be Allah.
And I am not of the Mushrikoon (polytheist).'"
[Soorah Yusuf (12): 108]

(So), Dawah is the Sabeel (way) – and it is the Nahaj (way),

which is necessary for us.
:Dawah is a great (form of) worship.
: (It is a worship) through which one draws closer to Allah.
: It is a worship, the benefits of which are passed on, and not
limited to the one who makes Dawah. Its benefits extend
through the Da'ee to the people in his country, to the people
outside his country, and even to those who will be influenced
by his Dawah until the Hour is established.

Du'aat (callers to Allah) are of two kinds;

1. (Du'aat who make) Dawah according to the Sunnah - along with
the recent Ijtihaadaat (sing. Ijtihaad – i.e., deduction of rulings
based upon the Sharee'ah texts) of the century.
(They make Dawah according to) Ijtihaadaat that do not go
beyond the boundaries of adhering to the Sunnah, the Jamaa'ah
and the ways of as-Salaf as-Saleh.

2. (Du'aat who make) Dawah which agrees with al-Hawaa (one's
lowly desires), and Ijtihaadaat which are not referred back to Ilm
(knowledge) as a strong pillar.

So, because there are numerous desires, Dawah - instead
of being one Manhaj – has resulted in various Manaahij (sing.
Manhaj). And everyone claims that the correct (Manhaj) is that
which he comes up with.

Verily, cautiousness/carefulness in establishing the Usool

(fundamentals) safeguards the mind and heart from falling into

mistakes – and therefore, our subject:

Establishing the Usool (Fundamentals)
of the Manhaj of Dawah
in light of the Book and the Sunnah,
and the understanding of the Salaf.

Manhaj is the Way, which Allah has mentioned in His Book, in the
following verse:

"To each among you, We have prescribed a law and
Manhaj (a clear way)." [Soorah al-Maidah (5): 48]

Al-Manhaj, al-Minhaj or an-Nahj – is the clear Path which holds no
doubts/ambiguities.

It is said, 'He took a clear Manhaj' meaning, (he took) a
way with confidence, a way which is definite and free from
uncertainty.

Dawah, without doubt, is a course of action, which needs a way
(i.e., manner, approach, method)…

It is possible that the Manhaj of Dawah (of some Du'aat) is
not in accordance with the Quran, the Sunnah and the safe/reliable
way of as-Salaf as-Saleh, from whom the people of knowledge
have taken the Manhaj of Dawah.

The Manhaj of Dawah might be influenced by one's opinion
about MaslaHa or by corruption - in accordance to the magnitude
of one's inclination towards corruption – or it might be influenced by
some specific occurrences, which are either territorial, political, etc.

Note:
Q: Why the need to learn the Fundamentals of
the Manhaj of Dawah?

A:  It is required to learn the Fundamentals in
order to avoid mistakes and errors, as the
Shaikh writes, "Verily, cautiousness/
carefulness in establishing the Usool
(fundamentals) safeguards the mind and heart
from falling into mistakes."

by Shaikh Saleh ibn Abdul-Aziz ibn Muhammad Aal-Shaikh 

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance