“Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follow me – Glory be to Allah! – and I am not of the idolaters.” (Yusuf 12; 108)
In order to be successful in conveying the message of Islam it should be well planned and programmed. Muslim missionaries have to apply the correct methods and approaches in order to reach their goals. If the method is wrong and so repels people, it may not be enough to achieve its goal. This is why the method of inviting a non-believer to Islam is a very important part of the mission. According to the following verse acting wisely and using moderate language in inviting people to Islam is required by Allah the Almighty:
“Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and Most Gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from his path, and who receive guidance.”(al-Nahl 16; 125) “Wisdom” and “beautiful language” are very important for those who preach about Islam. Wisdom means being careful and perceptive in preaching, telling the truth, avoiding leading people to the wrong path, making the right decisions, and supporting the sermon with easily understandable arguments. Wisdom requires paying attention to an audience’s intellect, ability, and circumstances as well as delivering the message in an appropriate way.
“Beautiful preaching,” on the other hand, means to try to persuade the audience not only by convincing them through logical methods but also by appealing to their feelings. The command of arguing with them in best ways refers to the requirement of being serious in fulfilling the call to Islam. Therefore, a Muslim preacher should speak beautifully and refrain from harsh and hurtful words and behavior. The mission of a preacher is to tell people what Islam is about and make people trust in his teachings. The rest is up to Allah.
This matter is expressed in the following verses:
“And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.” (al-Ankabut 29; 46)
“Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follow me – Glory be to Allah! – and I am not of the idolaters.” (Yusuf 12; 108)
Perception is a characteristic distinguishing what is right and wrong. From the meaning of the above mentioned verses it can be understood that those who call to Islam should always act with perception and sure knowledge. Moreover, inviting people to Islam with sure knowledge is a special sign of following the Prophet (pbuh).
It should also be remembered that as a natural result of the passage of time following the Messenger of Allah’s death, it might be necessary to apply different methods, more suitable for the changed and improved conditions of the time. Applying such methods is not against the traditions of the Prophet (pbuh). On the contrary, it is one of the methods he practiced in his mission. Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) never stuck to inflexible, frozen, and weary methods. This is why believers need to know in detail and follow meticulously all of the methods of invitation applied by the Prophet (pbuh). Here we believe that it would be helpful to present some of those methods to the Muslim preachers.