Asalib al-Dawa ila Allah fi al-Quran al-Karim
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- Editions
- Majallat al-Jami'ah al-Islamiyyah bi-al-Madinah al-Munawwarah
Asalib al-Dawa ila Allah fi al-Quran al-Karim (Methods of Da'wah to Allah in the Holy Qur'an) is a scholarly study by Dr. Abu al-Majd Sayyid Nawfal, an Egyptian academic and professor at Al-Azhar University, examining the principles, rhetoric, and thematic frameworks of Islamic outreach presented in the Qur'an . The study was published in serialized installments in the academic journal of the Islamic University of Madinah .
Concept and Classification of Da'wah Methods
Nawfal defines da'wah as consisting of two complementary dimensions: the realm of meanings and substance (al-ma'ani wa-al-madamin), which encompasses the core principles, objectives, and tenets of Islam; and the realm of methods and expressions (al-asalib wa-al-'ibarat), through which these meanings are formulated and communicated . He identifies the method of da'wah (uslub al-da'wah) as the manner by which divine commands and guidance are conveyed to audiences, rooted in the Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah .
While classical and modern scholars traditionally categorized da'wah methods according to grammatical and literary forms—such as declarative (khabari), imperative (insha'i), dialectical (jadali), evidential (burhani), and narrative (qasasi)—Nawfal introduces a taxonomy based on religious and thematic content :
- Creedal methods (asalib imaniyya / 'aqa'idiyya): Discursive approaches focused on establishing foundational faith and theological truths, which the author notes began in the Meccan era and continued through the Medinan period .
- Devotional methods (asalib 'ibadiyya): Discourse designed to explain and mandate specific acts of worship and ritual obligations .
- Legislative, ethical, and practical methods (asalib tashri'iyya, khuluqiyya, and jihadiyya): Methods conveying legal rulings, moral values, and directives concerning struggle and societal order .
Nawfal explains that these content-based categories utilize various rhetorical arts, including parables (amthal), narratives, and structured debate .
Methodological Characteristics and Rhetorical Forms
The work highlights key attributes that distinguish Qur'anic da'wah methods, emphasizing their foundation in truth (haqq), honesty (sidq), clarity (wuduh), and ease (yusr), adhering to the divine injunction: ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ("Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best") [Surat al-Nahl: 125] . Nawfal underscores that Qur'anic rhetoric avoids unfounded artistic illusions (khayal) and myth, utilizing similes and expressive imagery purely to bring intangible realities closer to human understanding . He also argues that the Qur'an maintained internal consistency throughout its twenty-three years of revelation and remains harmonious with sound reason and scientific inquiry .
In his analysis of interactive communication, Nawfal distinguishes between dialogue (muhawarah) and dialectical debate (muhajjajah) . Dialogue relies on interactive exchange through questions and answers to stimulate interest and present ideas descriptively, whereas dialectical debate incorporates conclusive evidence aimed at refuting falsehood and establishing undeniable proof (ilzam wa-ifham) .
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