Kayfa Taksib al-Nas
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- The book is published on the website of the Saudi Ministry of Awqaf without publication details
Kayfa Taksib al-Nas (How to Win People) is a concise pedagogical treatise on Islamic outreach and interpersonal ethics by Mazin al-Furayh (Mazin ibn Abd al-Karim al-Furayh), completed in 1412 AH / 1992 CE . Drawing upon the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah, the work outlines practical methods derived from the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for Islamic callers (du'at) and believers to win over people's hearts and counter behaviors that alienate them .
Purpose and Composition
Al-Furayh concluded the composition of the text on 20 Dhu al-Hijjah 1412 AH . In his introduction, he identifies winning the goodwill of people as an essential priority for religious outreach. He highlights several reasons for this focus: gaining people's hearts facilitates their receptivity to the truth, bridges the gap caused by the abrasive behavior of some preachers, frustrates efforts to misrepresent callers to Islam, fulfills the need for constructive engagement with society, and strengthens bonds of mutual compassion and solidarity within the Muslim community .
Structure and Contents
The treatise is organized into an introduction, two primary thematic parts, and a conclusion :
Prophetic Means of Winning People
The first part enumerates ten specific methods derived from the Prophetic model for attracting and endearing people to the message of Islam :
- Serving people and fulfilling their needs: prioritizing one's family and relatives, neighbors, and those encountered in the workplace (such as patients for a doctor, students for a teacher, and applicants for an official) .
- Forbearance and suppressing anger: enduring lapses or hurtful remarks gracefully .
- Magnanimity in dealings: demonstrating ease and leniency in buying, selling, collecting debts, and fulfilling obligations .
- Prudent tactfulness (al-mudara'): using gentle speech and good manners with difficult or corrupt people to guide them or avert their harm, while distinguishing this from illicit religious compromise (al-mudahana) .
- Bringing joy to others: greeting people with a cheerful countenance and smiling, easing distress, and interacting kindly with both children and the elderly .
- Respect and courtesy toward Muslims: honoring people according to their status, respecting differing legitimate viewpoints, and listening attentively without interrupting .
- Good speech: conveying truths and admonitions with pleasant, refined wording .
- Humility and gentleness: avoiding arrogance or an attitude of superiority over others .
- Generosity and gift-giving: cultivating affection and good will through material benevolence .
- Gentleness (al-rifq): showing leniency, especially when correcting the mistakes of the uninformed .
The author notes that these means are rooted in good character and underscores that the foundation of all acceptance on earth is turning sincerely to God and attaining His love .
Alienating Traits
The second part examines five repulsive behaviors (al-munaffirat) that drive people away from religious callers and hinder positive responses :
- Failing to accommodate people's circumstances and capacities, such as excessively lengthening communal prayers .
- Attachment to worldly possessions, noting that disinterest in what people own fosters their love .
- Harshness, coarseness, and aggressive disputation .
- Contradiction between one's words and deeds .
- Imposing hardship and complication rather than presenting the inherent ease and gradualism of Islam .
The book closes by reiterating the necessity of combining earnest supplication (du'a) with these practical means to guide estranged hearts back to religious guidance .
Answer updated