Kayfiyyat Dawat Usat al-Muslimin ila Allah Taala fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Safeer Press
Kayfiyyat Da‘wat ‘Usat al-Muslimin ila Allah Ta‘ala fi Daw’ al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah (The Manner of Calling Disobedient Muslims to Allah Almighty in Light of the Quran and Sunnah) is a treatise on Islamic propagation (da‘wah) by the Saudi scholar Saeed bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE) . The work outlines the methods, means, and strategies for guiding practicing and non-practicing Muslims who engage in disobedience, tailored to their mentalities, personal circumstances, and social contexts .
Composition and Context
The author completed the treatise on the morning of Thursday, 25 Safar 1425 AH (15 April 2004 CE) . It forms part of his broader series of writings dedicated to the jurisprudence and methodologies of da‘wah, which also include focused treatises on calling other groups such as atheists, idolaters, and the People of the Book .
Content and Structure
In his introduction, al-Qahtani divides Muslims into two main categories:
- Those who readily submit to the truth without stubbornness; for these, it is sufficient to explain the truth in knowledge, belief, and action .
- Those afflicted with heedlessness (ghaflah), desires, and whims—representing disobedient Muslims (‘usat al-muslimin)—who require structured, wise approaches .
The core of the book is arranged around four primary subjects (mabahith):
- Good Admonition and its Types (al-Maw‘izah al-Hasanah wa Anwa‘uha): Defines admonition as combining commands and prohibitions with inducement and deterrence (al-targhib wa al-tarhib) using speech that softens hearts . The author divides admonition into two types:
- Instructional Admonition (wa‘z al-ta‘lim): Clarifying orthodox creed (tawhid) and the five legal rulings (obligatory, prohibited, recommended, disliked, and permissible) presented with Quranic-style emotional resonance rather than dry legal lists .
- Disciplinary Admonition (wa‘z al-ta’dib): Cultivating virtues (such as forbearance, courage, loyalty, patience, and generosity) while warning against vices (such as anger, haste, treachery, and miserliness) . The author also provides five practical steps for preparing effective sermons against prevalent social evils and for encouraging righteous deeds, emphasizing adapting one's language according to the audience's intellectual level .
- Inducement and Deterrence (al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib): Grounded in human nature's inclination toward benefit and aversion to harm . It explores promises of immediate worldly rewards (a wholesome life, security, divine aid, sustenance, and longevity) alongside otherworldly salvation, contrasted with warnings of divine retribution and distress for sinful actions .
- Illustrative Verbal Wisdom (Hikmat al-Qawl al-Taswiriyyah): The use of vivid imagery, parables, and narrative techniques (al-qasas al-hakim) drawn from Quranic and prophetic stories to impact hearts directly and engage the listener's imagination .
- Calling Through Verbal and Practical Strength (al-Da‘wah bi al-Quwwah al-Qawliyyah wa al-Fi‘liyyah): The application of firmer measures, deterrence, and lawful authority when gentler methods fail, provided such measures adhere to Islamic legal conditions and do not lead to greater corruption .
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