al-Dawa al-Islamiyya fi Ahdaha al-Makki Manahijuha wa Ghayatuha
- Author died
- 1415 AH
- Editions
- Dar Al-Qalam
al-Da‘wa al-Islamiyya fi ‘Ahdiha al-Makki: Manahijuha wa Ghayatuha (The Islamic Call in Its Meccan Phase: Its Methods and Objectives) is a treatise on Islamic propagation and prophetic biography by the Egyptian Azhari scholar Raouf Shalabi (d. 1415 AH / 1994 CE). The book analyzes the pedagogical principles, social strategies, doctrinal proofs, and historical challenges that characterized the Meccan period of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ mission .
Background and Purpose
Shalabi wrote the work to present a systematic formulation of the stages, means, and methodologies established by the Prophet ﷺ in conveying the message during the Meccan era, intended to serve as a model and guide for modern Islamic preachers and scholars of da‘wa . The author noted in the preface to the third edition that he aimed to follow this study with a complementary work on the Medinan era . The treatise addresses the necessity of defining da‘wa clearly against modern slogans and ideological movements, drawing on earlier definitions such as that of Ali Mahfuz in Hidayat al-Murshidin .
Structure and Contents
The book is arranged into an introduction, two primary parts (abwab), and a concluding chapter:
Part One: Methods of the Islamic Call in Its Meccan Phase
The first part examines the procedural methods employed during the Meccan mission:
- Method of Proving God's Oneness (Manhaj Ithbat Wahdaniyyat Allah Ta‘ala): Traces pre-Islamic Arabian beliefs, the Abrahamic monotheistic heritage, and the calling of opponents to divest themselves of inherited cultural biases . It categorizes rational and observational arguments for tawhid, focusing on the oneness of divine essence, attributes, and cosmic governance (tadbir) .
- Method of Group Work (Manhaj al-‘Amal ma‘a al-Jama‘a): Discusses community building, social leadership, and the parallels between early prophetic methodology and modern sociological studies . It highlights the strategic adoption of active patience (al-sabr al-ijabi) and the avoidance of armed confrontation in Mecca to preserve the humanitarian and moral clarity of the message .
- Milestones and Confrontation (Ma‘alim fi Tariq al-Da‘wa: al-Mujabaha): Analyzes the hostility of the Quraysh, including initial rejection, attempts to negotiate through Abu Talib, direct physical harm, the persecution of early converts such as Bilal, Ammar, Khabbab, and Zannirah, and the economic boycott . Shalabi identifies the root causes of pagan rejection—such as arrogance, rigid traditionalism, and tribal chauvinism—and analyzes Quraysh's cultural tactics, including disruptions during Quranic recitations .
Part Two: Objectives: Fruits and Conclusion of the Meccan Phase
The second part examines the theological, ethical, and practical outcomes achieved before the migration:
- Islamic Creed (fi al-‘Aqida al-Islamiyya): Explores the establishment of divine sovereignty, the unity and universality of religion, and the correction of theological misconceptions regarding Jesus and divine sonship .
- Legislation, Ethics, and the Muslim Community (fi al-Tashri‘ wa al-Akhlaq wa al-Jama‘a al-Islamiyya): Outlines early moral injunctions, including dutifulness to parents, the prohibition of illicit relations and murder, fair financial dealings, and the initial stages of legislative gradation regarding intoxicants, usury, and slavery .
- Conclusion of the Meccan Phase (Khatimat al-‘Ahd al-Makki): Focuses on preparations for the Hijra, detailing the Night Journey and Ascension (al-Isra' wa'l-Mi'raj), the Pledges of al-Aqaba, and the transition of the community toward Medina .
Methodological Themes
Shalabi frames the Meccan historical experience as a permanent template for contemporary Islamic movements, urging modern callers to comprehend their adversaries' methods—including secular and ideological currents—while maintaining unified action grounded directly in the Quran and the Sunnah rather than partisan fragmentation or financial ambition .
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