Dalil al-Daiya
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Dar Taybah al-Khadra'
Dalil al-Daiya (The Preacher's Guide) is a contemporary Arabic handbook on Islamic proselytization (da'wah) and practical methodology written by the Saudi scholar Naji bin Dayil al-Sultan. The work offers guidelines, ethical counsel, and organizational advice drawing upon the author's lifelong experience in religious outreach and public instruction.
Purpose and Scope
Al-Sultan compiled the book to provide a straightforward, practical reference manual for preachers, especially beginners in the field of da'wah. It aims to illuminate the path of propagation, help practitioners avoid common obstacles, and encourage preaching through exemplary conduct, benevolence, and good character before verbal instruction. The author emphasizes flexibility, wisdom, moderation, and clarity, seeking to minimize discord and rigidity among Islamic workers. While addressed generally to all Muslims, it places special responsibility on full-time outreach officials, judges, imams, educators, and staff of Islamic affairs institutions.
Structure and Contents
The work is organized into an introduction, nine primary chapters, a conclusion, and a detailed index:
- Chapter 1: Indispensable Qualities of the Preacher (Sifat La Budda Minha lil-Da'iyah): Discusses personal virtues including sincere intention (ikhlas), good treatment of others, serving as a role model, truthfulness, avoiding vanity, generosity, refraining from speaking without knowledge, accepting differences of opinion, steadfastness, and cultivating mutual affection to win hearts.
- Chapter 2: Methods and Approaches (Asalib wa Madakhil): Covers understanding the conditions, dialects, and customs of the target audience, pre-da'wah preparation, interpersonal relationships, taking initiative, orderliness, and the stages of correcting wrongdoings.
- Chapter 3: Proper Selection (Husn al-Ikhtiyar): Details selecting suitable topics, upholding moderation (wasatiyyah), unifying discussion subjects, speaking according to the intellectual capacity of listeners, corroborating statements with the Quran, Sunnah, and scholarly consensus, and prioritizing fundamental matters over secondary ones.
- Chapter 4: The Preacher's Relationship with Superiors ('Alaqat al-Da'iyah bi-Mas'uliyh): Explores constructive interaction with leadership and administrative bodies, engaging security institutions, and fostering cooperative teamwork.
- Chapter 5: The Obligation of Da'wah (Wujub al-Da'wah): Examines on whom preaching is obligatory, managing time effectively, diagnosing contemporary societal ailments, and utilizing public gatherings for moral guidance.
- Chapter 6: The Preacher's Culture and Knowledge (Thaqafat al-Da'iyah): Focuses on reading, religious study, continuous learning, and active participation in scholarly meetings.
- Chapter 7: Duties of the Preacher (Wajibat al-Da'iyah): Discusses the delivery of Friday and Eid sermons, public lectures, writing, attending social functions, distributing audio cassettes and booklets, media contributions, answering religious inquiries, conducting educational seminars and continuous classes, cooperating with charitable societies, women's role in da'wah, and outreach to non-Muslims.
- Chapter 8: Planning (al-Takhtit): Addresses strategic planning, administrative discipline, organizational elements, and management principles within Islamic outreach organizations.
- Chapter 9: Appeals (Nida'at): A series of direct appeals addressed to Muslim rulers, family heads, mosque imams, scholars and judges, teachers, outreach and hisbah personnel, and homemakers.
Reception and Publication
The book was reviewed and commended by contemporary scholars and legal figures. It includes an introductory review by Muhammad bin Sa'd bin Shuqayr, a judge at the court of Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates, who commended its practical utility for both general Muslims and active preachers. It also received a formal commendation (taqriz) from Abdul Rahman bin Hammad Al Omar dated 15 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1419 AH, as well as an introductory foreword by Al-Walid bin Abdul Rahman Al Firyan dated 7 Rabi' al-Awwal 1420 AH in Riyadh, who praised its systematic arrangement, textual proofs, and documentation. The work was published in a single volume printed by Dar Taybah in Riyadh.
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