The correct character and attributes necessary for the
duaat(callers to Islaam) have been duly explained by Allaah -the Majestic
the Most High- in many aayaat(verses) in many different places in His Noble
Book. Firstly : Al-Ikhlaas - Sincerity It is obligatory upon the
daee(caller) to have ikhlaas (sincerity and purity of intentions and
actions ) for Allaah- the Mighty the Majestic- neither desiring to show-off ,nor
desiring reputaion, nor the praises and accolades of the people.Rather he should
only call to Allaah, seeking the Face of Allaah, as He -the one free from all
imperfections- says:
Say :This is
my way. I do call to Allaah upon sure knowledge. (12 : 108)
And who is
better in speech than he who calls to Allaah. (41 : 33)
Thus, Firstly, it is
necessary to have ikhlaas for Allaah- the Mighty the Majestic-this is the most
important virtue, the greatest quality; that you seek from your
dawah(call) the Face of Allaah and the Abode of the Hereafter.
Secondly : Al-Ilm -
Knowledge To call the people to Allaah upon Knowledge.and not
ignorance.
Say : This
is my way, I do call to Allaah upon sure knowledge. (12 : 108)
Thus knowledge is an essential
obligation and a must for preacher. Better avoid talking on a topic about which you have
no knowledge as the ignorant destroys the edifice and does not build it defaces the same
and does not reform it. So '0' servants of God! Fear Allaah to say about Him a thing which
you do not know: do not preach the people unless you have a thorough knowledge and insight
into what Allaah and His Messenger (
)
have declared. It is essential for a preacher to be fully conversant with and have a deep
knowledge of all the aspects of the mission, and must be aware of all the proofs and
arguments of the subject. When truth is dawned upon him together with its realization then
his call to the people will be effective and understandable - may be, he may have to
demonstrate with his action or may have to leave or abandon something for its sake. He
should then consider this mission as the sign of his servility to Allaah and obedience to
His Messenger (
). He should call on
people to abandon a thing which is forbidden by Allaah and His Messenger (
) on the basis of his knowledge and insight.
(3)The third qualification
necessary for a true preacher is his excellent chraracter. The first and the foremost
ingredients in a preacher's character are patience, tolerance and forbearance; he should
also be kind and soft hearted with forbearing temperament self sacrificing like the
Prophet (
). Avoid haste, undue
strictness and excesses. Be lenient humble and soft in your preaching. In this
connection some of the points have already been stated earliar as Allaah, the
Almighty ,says:
Call unto
the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation and reason with them in a better
way. (16 : 125)
It was by
the mercy of Allaah that you were lenient with them (0 Muhammad) for if you
had been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from you. (3 : 159)
And as Allaah has described, while sending Moosa and
Haroon to Pharaoh directed them:
And both of
you speak unto them a gentle word that per chance he may heed or fear. (20 : 44)
And according to a hadeeth the
Prophet of Allaah (
) has said: