Adab al-Mawiza
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- Mu’assasat al-Ḥaramayn al-Khayrīyah
Adab al-Maw‘iza (The Etiquette of Admonition) is a treatise on Islamic preaching and exhortation by Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Hamad, focusing on the principles, pedagogical rules, and communicative etiquette required for delivering religious admonition (al-wa‘z) effectively .
Overview and Composition
The work was completed on 5 Sha‘ban 1423 AH (October 2002 CE) in al-Zulfi, Saudi Arabia . In it, al-Hamad addresses the importance of religious exhortation as a vital duty of Islamic outreach (da‘wa) and the necessity for preachers to understand their noble purpose and adopt sound methodologies . The book defines the scope of etiquette broadly, covering the internal state and conduct of the preacher, the content and formulation of the message, and the manner of delivery .
Content and Structure
Foundations and Objectives
The treatise begins with the definition of admonition in Arabic lexicography, citing authorities such as Ibn Faris, Ibn Manzur, Ibn Sida, and al-Raghib al-Isfahani, followed by its treatment in the Quran . It outlines five primary objectives and wisdoms behind preaching:
- Establishing God's proof over creation .
- Fulfilling the religious obligation and excusing oneself before God .
- Hoping for the recipient's spiritual benefit and moral reform .
- Seeking divine reward through performing righteous deeds .
- Fearing divine punishment for neglecting the obligation of calling to good .
Preacher's Conduct and Methodological Etiquettes
The main body of the work enumerates practical guidelines for preachers:
- Piety and Sincerity: Adorning oneself with godfearingness (taqwa) and sincere intention, ensuring that one's personal practice matches what one preaches to avoid divine reprimand .
- Rhetorical Skill and Contextual Awareness: Adapting discourse to the varying intellects, cultural backgrounds, and environments of the listeners, using refined and engaging language to overcome natural resistance to correction .
- Quick-Wittedness: Cultivating presence of mind to adjust topics or phrasing spontaneously if audience conditions or unexpected situations require it .
- Managing Duration: Regulating the length of the sermon according to circumstances, occasion, and the listeners' capacity for attention .
- Consideration and Respect: Observing decorum, such as lowering one's voice if congregants are completing missed prayers after obligatory services, and acknowledging people's respective statuses and sensibilities .
The book concludes with a brief epilogue thanking contributors and reviewers and soliciting scholarly notes from readers .
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