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The Prophetic Art of Communication: Introduction to Da'wah by Yusuf Islam
Audio Cassette 38 min 49 sec
Islamia Media, London, UK
By Mohammed Ayub Khan 13/06/2001
Computers, satellite television, newspapers, magazines and now the Internet, instantly deliver so much information that it has become increasingly hard to separate truth from falsehood; fact from fiction. The information overload, while beneficial in many ways, has begun to reveal its darker side and Einstein's admonition that "our technology has surpassed our humanity," has begun to ring true.
Unfortunately the prevailing chaos has taken a toll on Muslims, resulting in a growing alienation from the Qur'an and the Sunnah. This alienation, in turn, has negatively impacted
Da'wah (propagation of the message of Islam) efforts, especially in the West. But all is not lost…for there are individuals who have taken on the task of being proactive standard bearers for the Qur'an and Sunnah, and for the art of Da'wah in the face of this alienation.
Noted Muslim musician and public speaker Yusuf Islam (a.k.a. Cat Stevens), in his speech
The Prophetic Art of Communication: Introduction to Da'wah, tells us that the techniques of Daw'ah propounded by our Holy Prophet (SAWS) are as effective today as they were more than 1400 years ago. All we need to do is to go back to our roots and rediscover the wealth of information that is already available.
Yusuf Islam explains that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) stands as a permanent and perfect example for those seeking the Prophetic art of communication. "He spoke with the fewest of words and the broadest of meanings," says Islam. "His sentences always reminded you of the presence of the Almighty."
Many of us may not know that the Prophet (SAWS) was not in the habit of giving lengthy speeches and Islam notes that his talks usually lasted no longer than 15 minutes. Yet the Prophet's words were so powerful that they converted the illiterate
bedouins of Arabia into a group of the finest men who ever walked the face of the earth. So what is it that our Holy Prophet (SAWS) taught with regard to the art of communication?
In his speech, Islam says that the first criterion for being a da'ee -- someone who engages in
Da'wah -- is to be sincere and always speak the truth. Our beloved Prophet (SAWS) spoke nothing but the truth. In an authentic Hadith, he is reported to have said, "You must speak the truth because truth leads to piety and piety leads to paradise. A man continues to speak the truth and sticks to it and is written in the sight of Allah as a truthful one. Beware of falsehood because it leads to transgression which in turn leads to the fire."
Islam goes on to remind listeners that party to this truthful manner of speech is the deliverance of the message clearly and without any ambiguity.
Unfortunately many da'ee (s) speak far over the heads of their audiences and there is a lack of prioritization of issues, which often leads to a lack of relevancy for audiences needing specific guidance. In many cases, revivalists concentrate mainly on those who are born Muslims, and exclude those less acquainted with Islam. This, says Yusuf Islam, goes against the Prophetic method. He stresses that the call should be addressed first to those who are most needy. The Prophet did not begin his mission by first calling to Jews and Christians, who were much closer to Muslims than the
mushrikeen (polytheists). Rather, the very first call to Islam went to those polytheists.
Da'wah directed towards the Jews and the Christians came much later. Similarly, argues Islam, while acknowledging the need for internal reform within the Ummah, Muslims must also give high priority to extending
Da'awah to non-Muslims.
Yusuf Islam further stresses that da'ee (s) must serve as both advisers and givers of good tidings. His advice is that Muslims start with matters that are simple and easy to understand -- 1) Belief in the perfect unity and oneness of Allah, and 2) Belief in the hereafter and the judgment of the souls combined with the belief in the prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). With those basic beliefs clearly explained, the
da'ee can then move on to larger and more complex issues.
Turning to the issue of how the message should be conveyed, Islam suggests that all appropriate media channels should be used, within limits. In the days of ignorance or
Jahilliya a naked caller would climb to a hilltop and make important announcements. This is obviously unacceptable. Similarly, in this modern age we cannot use inappropriate enticements to deliver the message, no matter how effective they can appear.
Multiple approaches, says Islam, should nonetheless be employed in the presentation of the message. For example the Prophet often used a "Question and Answer" method, in which he would begin by asking a probing question and then later respond to it. In a method that could be called "Known to Unkown", the Holy Prophet would first ask about an issue already known to the people. He would then follow it with additional and previously unrevealed information on the same topic. Additionally, the Prophet used the methods of repetition, demonstration, analogy, deduction and true story telling to convey the message of Islam.
If we want to see positive results in our Da'wah activities then we need to return to the time tested methods of our Prophet (SAWS). While appropriate modern modes and techniques of communication can be utilized to their fullest extent, the basics remain the same: blind imitations of others, without any rooting in our own traditions, will simply prove futile and a waste of time and effort.
Thankfully, Yusuf Islam's speech on this matter is anything but a waste of time and effort and the insights he provides give the listener a solid foundation for understanding the proper propagation of Islam.
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