The methodology of discourse in Da'wah

The methodology of discourse inDa'wah(Islamic propagation) constitutes
the following principles:
A.Establishing the principle of submission
The principle of submitting to Allaah The Almighty should be
established and stressed. Muslims should realize that they must submit
to the ordinances ofAllaah The Almighty, whether they understand the
wisdom behind them or not. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
·{It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allaah and
His Messenger have decided amatter, that they should [thereafter] have
any choice about their affair.}[Quran33:36]
·{But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they
makeyou, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute
among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from
what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.}[Quran
4:65]
When we are keen on attaining faith and submitting to Allaah The
Almighty, we save ourselves from many setbacks and ourDa'wahwill be
fruitful, Allaah willing.
We should be wary of the misleading mass media that holds dialogues
about issues related to theSharee'ah(Islamic legislation) and reduces
the status of theSharee'ahrulings to that of an opinion and a
viewpoint that are open to dispute. This is the first step that the
advocates of Westernization and secularism want to achieve.
B.Relying on the fact-based methodology
When we discuss women's issues, we need to talk in a factual manner
that respects people's minds and thinking. People, nowadays, do not
accept dictates, personal opinions and convictions of anyone,
regardless of who he is.
Hence, when we say that the woman going to work affects herability to
look after her home andbring up her children, we need tocite
scientific studies that prove the authenticity of what we are saying.
Moreover, when we talk about the connection between the intermixing of
the two sexes and the woman going out and crimes against women, and
when we talk about the effect of chastity on preserving the stability
and success of marital relations, we need to support what we say by
scientific evidence and the results of specialized studies.
Nowadays, there are many studies backed by scientific research that
are not being utilized, which we can benefit from. Moreover, we should
conduct scientific research on many vital issues that we are in need
of. We should also make use of research centers and university staff
members in this regard. These serious studies may be more important
than the books and booklets that are merely quotations from old books.
C.Differentiating between traditions andSharee'ahrulings:
Traditions are closely connected to women's issues, as every society
has certain traditions thatare related to women. Given the fact that
most of the tribal habitsin Islamic societies are characterized as
'conservative' behavior, some ill-informed men may confuse the
traditions that the society has agreed upon and that have become part
of its culture with the rulings of theSharee'ah. Thus, they insist on
upholding these traditions and defending them even though they may
have no basis in theSharee'ah. This matter requires moderation; habits
that have no origin in theSharee'ahshould notbe followed and defended,
let alone linked toSharee'ah. On the other hand, they should not be
totally rejected on the pretext that they are not mentioned in
theSharee'ah; rather, good customs should be kept and bad ones should
be rejected.
D.ObservingSharee'ahrestrictions without transgressing them:
Given the fact that woman is the most dangerous and most harmful
temptation, there are rulings and restrictions stipulated in
theSharee'ahto lessen the effect of this temptation.
Hence, we have to observe these restrictions and adhere to them. The
keenness of some callers to spreadDa'wahand widen its scope may lead
them to overlook these restrictions and transgress them.
This may be a reaction to common misperceptions about Muslim thinkers,
scholars and callers. Some callers over-emphasize the aspect of
'liberating' themselves from the restrictions of theSharee'ahand may
even start attacking those who adhere to them.
It is not acceptable for callers to exaggerate when criticizing the
separation between men and women attendees in conferences
andDa'wah-related forums. Similarly, it is unacceptable for a caller
to be presented to the audience by a woman, and to make her read the
questions addressed to him, or to keep the issue of separating women's
place for prayers from that of men on top of the list of issues that
he faces, in a bid to take quick steps towards Westernization and the
liberationof women.
Attitude towards the advocates of Westernization and 'liberation':
This includes the following:
a.Differentiating between the different categories of people who
discuss women's issues:
The call for women's 'liberation' and for the Westernization of
Islamic society was initiated by a group of people who are advocates
of secularism and who cunningly endeavor to find ways that would help
them achieve their dubious aims. These people use twisted methods to
present their ideas and pretend to defendwomen's issues and restore
theirstolen rights. Unfortunately, a number of writers, journalists
and cultured men of letters, who are not secularists themselves,
followed their footsteps as they were influenced by the ideology that
these people presented. These people who are influenced by the ideas
of secularists usually present issues that agree with the aims of the
secularists.
Thus, during discussions we should not include all these people in one
group; rather, we have to differentiate between those who agree with
the ideas of secularists and those who are inclined to secularism.
The righteous predecessors differentiated between the different
categories of the peopleofBid'ah(innovation). People ofAhwaa'(desires)
and heretics are not the same as those who want and seek goodness, but
agree with some of the people ofBid'ahabout theirBid'ah. Also, the one
who calls to a certainBid'ahand defends it is not like others. People
who practice religious innovations that lead to disbelief are not like
those who practice religious innovations that lead to committing major
sins.
b.Avoiding any talk about intentions
The truth should be clearly statedand falsehood should be confronted
and clarified. However, there is a difference between pointing out
what is right and refuting what is wrong on one hand, and judging the
falsifier himself on the other hand. We usually direct bitter
criticism against anyone who presents something different regarding
women's issues and other issues. Not only this, but we may also accuse
the writer and the speaker of having bad intentions and so on.
Hence, discussion should focus on the idea and the topic. As for the
figures of secularism and those who have impermissible ideas, they
should be exposed in the right way; not through one book or one
article, but through refuting all their tendencies and ideas in a
manner that appears convincing to people.
E.Objective scientific criticism:
When such people discuss women's issues or any other issue, they
support their speech with proofs and evidence that make it seem
objective and scientifically neutral and they usually exploit the
results of scientific research in a misleadingway.
It has been noticed that many of the callers' replies to these people
are characterized by beingemotional and they tend to judgepeople. They
may even include references to conspiracy theories hatched against
women, and disregard the objective scientific discussion of the proofs
that their opponents present.
The approach adopted by the callers may be convincing to certain
categories of people who are already under their influence; however,
it is not convincing to other people that they may be keen on
convincing. Rather, this kind of approach may play a role in making
this last category convinced of the opponent's point of view.
Callers are urgently in need of perfecting the language of dialogue
and objective scientific discourse. They have to realize that being
zealous advisors alonewill not make people listen to them and accept
what they say willingly.