06-28-2003, 10:39 AM
[b:7b9d1c966a]Moral Character of the Daa`iya (Conclusion) [/b:7b9d1c966a]
-Shaykh Salman al-`Awdah
From the book "Moral Character of the Daa`iya"
Translated by Muhammad Buneef
The daa`iya should be a good example for others, by avoiding that which is disliked and even that which is permissible which he is in no need of. He should elevate himself from the duniya and from competing in it in order to gain people's confidence.
It is important for the daai'ya to put the duniya underneath his feet, to use it and not to serve it so that the people know that he isn't after the duniya nor position. A good example is to avoid contradiction between speech and action as the Prophet of Allah
Shu aib said, "...and I do not desire that in my opposition to you I should betake myself to that which I forbid you. I desire nothing but reform so far as I am able, and with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue; on Him do I rely and to Him do I turn." (Surah Hud:8 That is why the corrupted scholars called people to Islam with their talks while pushing them away front it with their actions, so be cautious my brother daa`iya in being a good example in both your speech and action.
Many people think that the daa`iya only calls to the good that he does, and only forbids from the bad that he avoids, and this is a mistake, because the truth which is pointed out in the texts of the Book and the Sunnah is that the person must call to that which is good even if he does not do it and must forbid as well from that which is prohibited even if he might be falling into it. Some scholars said that it is the right of those who drink alcohol to forbid on another. Therefore, falling in the forbidden, does not justify falling into another error, that is to not forbid the prohibition. The only condition is that calling to the good and forbidding the evil has to be done truthfully and not based on trickery, hypocrisy and misguidance, and to show people that you are daai'ya, and you are truly not. If the father for example is addicted to smoking and saw his son smoking does he remain silent under the pretext that he is committing the forbidden? No. But he has to forbid him and say, "I chose this path and it is hard for me to quit, and you are still at the beginning of your life." This is so with the rest of the sins. They say the same thing about a responsible person who sees somebody who is under his responsibility falling in the same disobedience that he is involved in, "And he who does not warn people, he is a sinner. For who is going to warn the disobedient after Muhammad (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam)"
Good example requires that the daai'ya shouldn't confront the bad with more bad but he should forgive and pardon and confront the misdeed with kindness as he sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam used to forgive those who ill-treated him, and he gave to those who withheld from him, and he maintained his relationship with those who disassociated him (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam). These are the qualities of the Prophets. May Allah give us all guidance, and protect us from misguidance, and treat us with His grace and mercy, surely He is the Most Worthy of taqwa and forgiveness.