al-Hikma fi al-Dawa ila Allah Taala
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah and Guidance - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
al-Hikma fi al-Dawa ila Allah Taala (Wisdom in Calling to God the Exalted) is a scholarly treatise on Islamic propagation (da'wah) authored by the Saudi scholar Saeed bin Ali bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE) . The book originates as an academic master's thesis submitted to the College of Da'wah and Media at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, exploring the foundational concept, dimensions, and practical methodologies of wisdom (hikmah) in religious outreach based on Islamic scripture and historical practice .
Academic Origin and Composition
The work was completed under the supervision of Dr. Fadl Ilahi, head of the Department of Da'wa and Ihtisab at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University . It was defended before an academic committee consisting of Dr. Muhammad ibn Abd Allah al-Fuhayd from the Faculty of Usul al-Din (Department of Sunnah) and Dr. Ahmad ibn Muhammad Aba Butayn, vice head of the Department of Da'wa and Ihtisab .
In his introduction, the author noted that while earlier scholars and contemporary authors had addressed aspects of wisdom—such as Ibn al-Qayyim in Madarij al-Salikin (The Ranks of the Seekers), Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di in al-Riyad al-Nadira (The Radiant Gardens), Muhammad Khayr Ramadan in his study of Luqman, and Rifa'i Surur in Hikmat al-Da'wa (The Wisdom of Propagation)—a comprehensive academic study devoted entirely to wisdom as an overarching method of Islamic da'wah remained unfulfilled .
Methodological Core
The central premise of the work counters the assumption that wisdom in Islamic outreach is confined solely to soft speech, gentleness, forbearance, and pardon . Instead, al-Qahtani defines wisdom as placing every matter in its appropriate place, suiting the varied capacities and temperaments of addressees :
- Gentleness and direct demonstration of truth: applied to receptive audiences who do not exhibit stubborn defiance .
- Goodly exhortation (al-maw'izah al-hasanah): involving encouragement and warning, directed at those who acknowledge the truth but are hindered by heedlessness or desires .
- Debate in the best manner (al-jidal bi-llati hiya ahsan): using rational and textual proofs cordially to clarify truth and refute fallacies when addressing obstinate opponents .
- Force and deterrence: enacted through firm verbal rebuke, disciplinary punishment, lawful penal sanctions by authorities, or armed struggle (jihad) under legitimate leadership, directed against transgressors who actively block or oppress the propagation of faith .
The author applied a historical-analytical methodology to derive wisdom models from the Quran and Sunnah, alongside a rational-deductive method (manhaj al-istidlal) tailored to debates with secular and interfaith audiences .
Structure and Contents
The book is organized into an introduction, four main chapters, a conclusion, and extensive analytical indices :
- Introduction: Covers the importance and selection of the topic, historical context, literature review, methodology, and institutional acknowledgments .
- Chapter One (al-Hikmah Mafhumuha wa Dawabituha): Discusses the linguistic and legal definitions of wisdom, its constituent pillars, categories, levels, and the means of acquiring it .
- Chapter Two (Mawaqif al-Hikmah): Reviews historical paradigms of wisdom demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Companions, the Successors (Tabi'un), the Followers of the Successors (Atba' al-Tabi'in), and prominent scholars across subsequent Islamic eras .
- Chapter Three (Hikmat al-Qawl ma'a al-Mad'uwwin): Details rhetorical and verbal approaches suited to four distinct categories of audiences: atheists, polytheists and idolaters, People of the Book (Jews and Christians), and Muslims .
- Chapter Four (Hikmat al-Quwwah al-Fi'liyyah ma'a al-Mad'uwwin): Addresses the application of practical strength and legitimate force, examining the ranks of outreach regarding hostile disbelievers as well as persistent Muslim sinners .
- Conclusion and Indices: Outlines the principal research findings and recommendations, followed by indices for Quranic verses, prophetic traditions, historical reports, poetic citations, biographical entries, and cited bibliography .
Publication
The work was published in Saudi Arabia in 1412 AH (1992 CE), with a second edition appearing in Muharram 1413 AH (1992 CE) . It was also published by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah and Guidance in 1423 AH as a single 613-page volume .
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