al-Dawa ila Allah Fawaid wa Shawahid
- Author died
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- Editions
- Dār al-Qāsim
al-Dawa ila Allah Fawaid wa Shawahid (Calling to Allah: Benefits and Testimonies) is a contemporary treatise on Islamic propagation (da‘wa) written by the Saudi author Abd al-Malik bin Qasim . The book outlines the religious merit of calling others to Islam, the essential principles and practical avenues of outreach, and common obstacles faced by Islamic workers alongside practical solutions drawn from classical sources and contemporary experience .
Origin and Purpose
The material for the book originated as two live broadcast episodes delivered by the author on the Holy Quran Radio station in Riyadh under the title al-Dawa ila Allah: Fawaid wa Shawahid . Following requests from listeners to preserve and circulate the material widely, Ibn Qasim adapted the broadcasts into a concise booklet .
In the opening chapters, the author outlines several motivations for addressing the topic, citing a perceived shortage of works focused on practical Islamic propagation across modern media, lessons, and Friday sermons; the growing prevalence of competing ideologies; and the need to mobilize ordinary Muslims against apathy and hesitation .
Content and Structure
The book is structured around foundational guidelines, practical methods, and solutions to specific obstacles in Islamic propagation:
- Pillars and Prerequisites: The author emphasizes that a caller to Islam must be grounded in religious knowledge (‘ilm) and insight (basirah), complete sincerity (ikhlas) devoid of desire for status or fame, and unwavering gentleness (rifq) and polite discourse .
- Paths of Conveyance: The work divides outreach into two primary paths: setting a living example through good character and honesty (al-qudwah), and direct verbal or written conveyance (al-balagh) utilizing various available mediums such as books, audio recordings, telecommunications, and digital media .
- Spheres and Means: Ibn Qasim stresses that propagation begins with self-rectification and extends to immediate family, relatives, and the broader public . Practical channels highlighted include financial support, community service, proposing innovative initiatives, and persistent supplication (du‘a) .
- Obstacles and Solutions: A major portion of the book examines real and imagined obstacles confronting callers to Islam, treating twenty-nine specific scenarios . These include financial constraints, lack of immediate results, mockery, despair, burnout, domestic strains, and adapting methods to unfamiliar audiences .
To illustrate overcoming family and logistical difficulties, the author cites historical examples from the prophetic era as well as contemporary accounts, such as the travels of his grandfather, Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Qasim, who spent over forty years traveling across several countries to compile Ibn Taymiyyah's Majmu‘ al-Fatawa with the patient support of his wife . The book concludes with practical recommendations on time management, seeking counsel from established scholars, and relying on divine guidance .
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