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TOPIC 7
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
ISLAMIC DAWAH

1.
RABBANIYYAH
AND INSANIYYAH
2.
TAYSIR
AND TAKHFIF

7.
SHUMUL, TAWAZUN,
AND WUDUH

CHARACTERISTICS
OF ISLAMIC
DAWAH

6.
HAYMANAH

5.
WAQIIYYAH

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3.
ALAMIYYAH

4.
MASLAHAH

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1. Rabbaniyyah (Divinity) and

Insaniyyah (humanity)
The

work of Dawah is based on a

divine system (Manhaj al-Rabbani) that
motivates others to establish justice.
Human beings are not allowed to follow
the desire that will lead them to the
wrong path. (Solihin 2008: 143)
In
this sense, Dawah implies a
devotion to God and a commitment to
humanity by motivating people to follow
the Divine Rule.
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1. (a) Rabbaniyyah
Islamic Dawah is the Commandment of
Allah (s.w.t.).
It is Allahs command to all the prophets
and Muslims to exalt the word of Allah by
calling all men to a life of submission and
obedience to Him alone.
The content of Islamic Dawah is based
on Divine Sources the Quran and the
Sunnah.

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Cont
(
)

(50 :)
Do they then seek the judgment of (the day of) ignorance? And who
is better in judgment than Allah for a people who have firm Faith.
(5:50).
Prophet Muhammad (a.s.w.) never said something except what he had
received from Allah (s.w.t.), and all his words, deeds and silent
approval are based on the commandments of Allah (s.w.t.).

(4-3 : * ( )
)
Nor does he speaks of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation
revealed. (53:3-4).
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Cont

Rabbaniyyah characteristic of Islamic Dawah is indicated by

Allah (s.w.t.) in the following verse:

)

(79 : ( )

It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given al-Kitab
and al-Hukm and al-Nubuwwah to say to the people: Be my worshippers
rather than Allahs. On the contrary (he should say): Be you
Rabbaniyyun (learned men of religion who practise what they know and
also preach others), because you are teaching of the Book, and of you
are studying it.. (3: 79)

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Cont

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Dawah would assist people in shaping for themselves

shakhsiyyah rabbaniyyah (divine-oriented personality)
that would put Allah (s.w.t.) before His creatures, alAkhirah before al-Dunya and Din before his desires.
The status of Rabbani personality could be achieved
through:
purity of intention,
feeling the presence of Allah (s.w.t.),
self-criticism,
depending and putting ones trust in Allah, and
the balance between knowledge and practice.
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Cont

1.
2.
3.

The Rabbaniyyah is related to Islamic Dawah

based on the following facts:
Din al-Islam is not a man-made religion, rather it
is Divine in Nature.
The Quran and Sunnah are the primary sources.
The focus of Islamic Dawah is mainly on inviting
others to submit themselves to their Creator,
Allah (s.w.t.) and to be obedient to His
Commandments.

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1 (b) Insaniyyah

The Dawah should be conducted on the basis of

Insaniyyah (humanity).
The prophets are chosen among mankind and not
other creatures. Because they are aware of the needs
of human beings, such as eating, sleeping, marrying,
etc.
The Prophet (a.s.w.) condemned the deeds of those
three companions who went beyond limits in term of
worship: Devoting oneself in tahajjud prayer forever,
fasting without taking break and isolating from women
(See Solihin 2008, p. 148)
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Cont

(128 :)

Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from

among yourselves. It grieves him that you should
receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad) is
anxious over you (to rightly guided); for the
Believers (he is) full of pity, kind and merciful. (9:
128).
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Cont

According to Ismail Raji al-Faruqi Islam:

1.

sought to convince human of its truth and to recruit

them for fellowship.
aims at converting the whole of humanity and to
mobilize them for the achievement of justice, truth,
well-being, saintliness, beauty.
sees the divine imperative as touching every range of
human activity and concern; that everything is relevant
to religion.
is a religion of involvement in the world, in its kitchens
and marketplaces as well as in its mosques and on the
battlefields.

2.

3.

4.

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Cont
Islamic Dawah is for all people, in all places
and at all times. The Message of Islam is
genuinely concerned about the human society.
Therefore, Islam seeks improvement (Islah) of
the society to the best of ability.
The Quranic concept amal salihat (righteous
deeds), is not merely related to peoples
personal life, nor is it in isolation from the
society.

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Cont
Allah (s.w.t.) has given in Quran many parables for us
to think. For instance, Shuaib (a.s.) and his people:

( ) ( 88 :

13

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Cont

He (Shu'aib) said: "O my people! See you whether I have

a Clear (Sign) from my Rabb, and He has given me
sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself? I wish not,
in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do, I
only desire (your) betterment (islah) to the best of my
power; and my success (in my task) can only come from
Allah; in Him I trust, and to Him I turn." [Hud: 88]

In relation to humanity, Dawah would help in

upholding the dignity to human life (food, shelter,
education etc), empowering woman and etc.

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2. Taysir (Easiness) and Takhfif

(Moderation)

Dawah would help in advocating taysir (easiness) and not

tasir (making things difficult and hard).
The Prophet said:

)
(

Make it easy and dont make it difficult. Tell good news

and dont make people run away from you. (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi)
The Dai should use a simple language that is understood
by his/her audience. He/she should not be bombastic;
rather, to approach them politely.
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Cont

The Prophet (a.s.w.) said: Talk to people on the

level of their mind.
It means to understand others culture, language,
and habits. This involves psychological and
communication skills.
Dawah is also easy because if a non-Muslim is
still not convinced, the Muslim has to rest his case
to Allah (s.w.t.).
Certainly, the Muslim has to try again and again
and never give up, that God may guide others to
the truth.
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Cont
Dawah should be conveyed in a moderate way, which
should be between: (a) rigidity and laxity, (b) extremity,
exaggeration and looseness, and (d) Akhirah and Dunya
aspects of life (An ascetic by night and a horseman by
day, ruhban fi al-layl wa fursan fi al-nahar)
The most important ingredient is to reach the target.
The Quran says:

( ) :

199)

Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the
foolish (i.e. dont punish them). (Al-Tawbah:199).

The stress is more on SUBSTANCE rather than FORM.

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Cont

Change has to come about with the preaching of the

message of Islam first. After that, society will
undergo a gradual change.
A sudden and premature revolution is not the right
way.

:( )... ...)
( 185

Allah intends for ease, and He does not want to

make things difficult for you. (2:185).
The Prophet (a.s.w.) said: The religion of Islam is a
lenient one. So go into it with ease and patience. No
one who attempts to storm his way into it will come
out victorious" (Bukhari)
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3. Al-Alamiyyah (Universality)
Islam is a universal religion that came to all of
humanity without any restriction in its call to any
particular race or any particular time in history.
Allah (s.w.t.) says:

)
(


(13 :)

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a

female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you
may know one another. Indeed, the best among you with
Allah is those who are pious. (Al-Hujrat: 13).
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Cont

According to al-Faruqi No human may be excluded

from the call of Islam. Gods existence,
transcendence, and unity, His relevance to this world
and life, His commandments are everybody concern.
Nobody may be precluded from the debate about
matters of religion. God has called all humans to
Him, because all humans are equally His creatures
and He is equally their Creator and Master. All
men are equally mukallafun, that is obliged to
respond to Gods call with obedience. Gods Divinity
lays a universal claim on the whole creation.
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4. Maslahah (Public Interest)

Dawah is concerned with mans fate and welfare.

Dawah is considered as the most precious gift for
mankind. It is warning against imminent danger.
Al-Faruqi has mentioned:
To alert ones fellows or neighbors to a fire that is
spreading is regarded by all as an obligatory charity. How
much greater a charity is to alert ones neighbor against
infinitely more ominous fire! Finally, human life presents
hardly any pleasure that that of aiding another human to
perceive the truth. No wonder then that Muslims have
undertaken the tasks of Dawah with enthusiasm. (1986,
p. 187)
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Cont

Malaah concerns with the subsistence

of human life, the completion of mans
livelihood, and the acquisition of what his
emotional and intellectual qualities
require of him in an absolute sense.
(Shib)
Shib divides the mali (or maqi)
into three main categories:
1) Necessities (arriyyt)
2) Needs (Hjiyyt)
3) Commendable (Tasniyyt)
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1. Necessities (arriyyt)

They are indispensable in sustaining the

mali of dn (religion) Akhirah (the
hereafter) and duny [world], in the sense
that if they are disrupted the stability of the
world is disrupted.
Their disruption results in the termination of
life in the world, and in the hereafter it results
in losing salvation and blessing.
The necessities category consists of the
following: Religion (dn), Self (nafs), Intellect
(aql), Family (nasl), and Property (ml).
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Cont

To observe the necessities, there are

obligations under the Sharah:
1)
2)
3)
4)

acts worship (ibdt)

habits and customs (dt),
transactions (mumalt), and
penalties (jinyt).

The significant elements in the meaning

of malaah are the sense of preservation
(ibq) and protection (if) of interests.
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Cont
Preservation (ibq) will take place through:
1.

2.

3.

The establishment of din: The interest of din is secured

by the creation of conditions that facilitate worship and
establish the other pillars of Islam.
The creating of conditions for the healthy flourishing of
life. The interest of life is secured by creating conditions
for the existence of life as well as by the provision of
sustenance and the maintenance of good health.
The strengthening of the family system. The interest of
progeny (nasl) is supported by facilitating and
establishing healthy family life and the institution of
marriage.
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Cont
4.

5.

The creation of conditions for the

development of the mind. The interest of
intellect is secured by promoting means for
the growth of the intellect through education
The striving for the growth of communal
and individual wealth. The interest of
wealth is secured by creating proper
conditions for the wealth. (Nyazee, 2003,
pp. 105, and 207)
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Cont
Protection will take place through:
1.

2.
3.

4.
5.

Interests are secured by preventing the destruction or

corruption of din. Thus jihad is prescribed for defending din
while prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and zakat help establish it.
Life is protected or defended through provision of penalties
for those who destroy without legal justification.
Progeny is protected through provision of penalties for those
who corrupt family life and the institution of marriage and its
virtues
Penalties are provided for the consumption of substances that
destroy or corrupt the mind
Theft or misappropriation of wealth is punished through
penalties (Nyazee, 2003, p. 207)
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2. Needs (Hjiyyt)

They are needed in order to expand

(tawassu) the purpose of the maqi and to
remove the strictness of literal sense the
application
of
which
may
lead
to
impediments and hardships and eventually
to the disruption of the maqi (objectives).
Examples:
In ibdat, concession (license or privilege)
in alt and awm on the account of sickness
or journey which otherwise may cause
hardship in prayer and fasting, etc.
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3. Commendable
(Tasniyyt)
This

type of malaah covers noble

habits (ethics or morality). For example:
in ibdt, cleanliness or decency in
covering the privy parts of the body in
prayer.
in dt, etiquette, table manners, etc.
in mumalt, prohibiting the selling of
unclean articles,
in jinyt, prohibiting the killing a free
man in place of a slave, etc.
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5.

Waqiiyaah (Reality)

Islam

is a realistic religion in many

aspects.
This is a very important feature of Islam,
and misunderstood even by Muslims.
Muslims are instructed to be practical,
and are not asked to do anything unless
they are reasonably capable of doing it.
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Cont

( 173 : ( )

He has forbidden you only the dead animal, and blood, and
the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a
sacrifice for others than Allah. But if one is forced by
necessity without willful disobedience nor transgressing due
limits, then there is no sin on him. Truly Allah is OftForgiving, Most Merciful. (2:173).

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Cont
Whoever of you sees an evil act, let him change it
with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then
with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then
with his heart and that is the weakest of faith"
(Muslim).
Dawah works should focus on constructing good
relationships with others based on mutual respect
and better understanding through friendly
conversation or dialogue, not on debates on
historical, hypothetical and controversial issues,
which create enmity between people.

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6. Haymanah (Hegemony)

Haymanah is derived from the word haymana

which denotes to guard, to watch over, to keep an
eye on someone. The word haymanah signifies
supervision, control, supremacy, hegemony.
Islamic Dawah has the authority over others. It is
capable of correcting and reforming human thought
and life.
The centre of its authority is its belief system, its
law and its ethical system.
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Cont

Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Quran:

(48 :( )...

And We have sent down to you the Book (this Quran) in truth,
confirming the Scripture that came before it and muhayminan
(trustworthy in highness and a witness over it (old scriptures). So
judge among them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their
vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. (5:48).
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Cont

)





(60 : ( )

And make ready against them all you can of power and of horse
tethered, that thereby threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy,
and others besides them whom you may not know but whom Allah
does know. (8:60).

Muhayminan denotes that which testifies the truth that is therein and
falsifies falsehood that is added therein.

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Cont

Haymanah in Islamic Dawah reveals the fact that:

1)

Islams real power and strength, is based on the promotion of its

TRUTH through justice. Dawah empowered man so he will deliver
the Truth to the whole world through justice.
Islam is knowledge-based religion. Dawah relates also to knowledge,
and knowledge is power.
Knowledge of the Truth is the greatest possession and the source of
power; Dawah is imparting and teaching of truth and giving away
the power of knowledge.
The caller seeks to dispense the truth, and the called is invited to
appropriate it.

2)
3)

4)

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7.
Al-Shumul
(Comprehensiveness),
Tawazun (Balance) and Wuduh (Clarity)

Al-

Al-Shumul:
Islam

is a complete way of life, offering guidance for all

aspects of life.

(89 : ( )

And We have sent down to you the Book as an

exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad
tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as
Muslims) (16:89).
"This religion cannot be taken except from the one who
encompasses it completely." (Bukhari).
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Cont

Al-Tawazun:
We

must understand each aspect of Islam in light of

its relative priority and not be excessive in one aspect
at the cost of neglecting another. Abuse of this leads
to imbalance.

)
( 143 : ( )...

"Thus have We made you an Ummah justly balanced,

that ye may be witnesses over the nations, and the
Messenger a witness over yourselves " (2: 143).

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Cont

Al-Wuduh:
Dawah

is clear in terms of its message and

methods.
It seeks to remove any misunderstanding and
conflict through means of dialogue and debate in
gracious manners (16:125).
Muslims should concentrate on working in a
constructive manner, for the betterment of
society.
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Cont
This

means dealing with the issues of major

importance to Muslims and not concentrating
on minor issues which create controversy and
disunity.
Adopting this approach will create strong roots
for the future.

See you not how Allah set forth a parable? A goodly

word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and
its branches (reach) the sky. (14: 24; see also 9: 105).

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