Abd al-Ati Muhammad Shalabi

Abd al-Ati Muhammad Shalabi is an Islamic author and specialist in religious rhetoric and da'wa, known for his instructional manual on the theory and practice of preaching, al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya (Islamic Oratory). al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya+1

Conception of Preaching and Rhetoric

Shalabi argues that the contemporary era—where global interconnectedness has turned the world into a small village—demands specialized da'wa cadres who are carefully selected according to physical, psychological, ethical, social, and scholarly criteria. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya In his view, mosque preachers (khatibs) function essentially as Islamic callers (du'at). He emphasizes that moral excellence, spiritual purity, refinement in speech, lowering the voice, and an approachable demeanor constitute a universal human language that opens hearts and persuades listeners far more effectively than harshness. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya

Shalabi defines oratory (al-khitaba) as a spoken prose genre delivered directly to an audience, occupying a distinct place among literary arts. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya He highlights its close relationship to sociology, maintaining that an orator must understand the politics of human interaction, the differing needs of various social classes, and the collective psychology and ethics of groups. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya Focusing on religious oratory—including sermons delivered during Friday and Eid prayers as well as other religious occasions for moral exhortation and guidance—he asserts that preaching is a demanding duty requiring extensive preparation, patience, and enduring hardship, alongside an innate disposition marked by eloquence, emotional composure, sharp intellect, and proper articulation. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya

Rhetorical Pedagogy and Historical Models

In al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya, Shalabi presents his work not as an attempt to create an orator from scratch, but as a practical guide designed to hone the eloquence and stylistic skills of individuals who already possess a natural aptitude for public address. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya His rhetorical instruction covers oratorical etiquette, preparation and coordination, persuasive techniques, and the branching themes of religious exhortation. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya+1

To ground these theoretical principles in tradition, Shalabi provides an extensive historical survey of oratorical models across different eras of Islamic history. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya These include the sermons of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—accompanied by analytical commentary—followed by addresses delivered by early caliphs such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and the Umayyad caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, as well as later classical speeches by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun and modern sermons by the scholar Ahmad al-Sharabasi. al-Khitaba al-Islamiyya