Muqawwimat al-Daiya al-Najih fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Maṭba'at Safīr
Muqawwimat al-Daiya al-Najih fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna (The Qualifications of a Successful Caller in Light of the Quran and Sunnah) is a work by Saeed bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE) outlining the essential virtues, knowledge, and ethical qualities required for effectively calling people to Islam (dawah).
Composition and Purpose
The author completed the treatise on Friday afternoon, 5 Rabi al-Awwal 1415 AH. Al-Qahtani defines muqawwimat linguistically and contextually as the rectifying principles that correct a caller's course, instilling balance, moderation, and wisdom without excess or negligence. He aims to establish the foundational qualities from which all practical methods of Islamic advocacy derive, grounding them in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Structure and Contents
The book is structured into an introduction, nine chapters, and a conclusion summarizing its primary findings:
- Introduction (al-Tamhid): Clarifies the conceptual and linguistic meaning of the qualifications of a successful caller.
- Chapter 1: Beneficial Knowledge (al-Ilm al-Nafi): Covers the importance of sacred knowledge, its categories, acting upon what is learned, and methods of acquiring it.
- Chapter 2: Wisdom (al-Hikmah): Addresses the concept and significance of wisdom, its varieties and levels, ways of developing it, and according people their proper ranks.
- Chapter 3: Forbearance (al-Hilm): Details the definition and value of forbearance, its practical manifestations in historical dawah, and means of fostering it.
- Chapter 4: Deliberation and Verification (al-Anah wa al-Tathabbut): Discusses patience before judgment, verifying incoming reports, practical examples, and the pitfalls of haste.
- Chapter 5: Gentleness and Leniency (al-Rifq wa al-Lin): Explores gentleness in speech and deed, its importance, and practical instances of its application.
- Chapter 6: Patience (al-Sabr): Analyzes the scope, rulings, and categories of patience, illustrative models of patience and courage in dawah, and methods of attaining steadfastness.
- Chapter 7: Sincerity and Truthfulness (al-Ikhlas wa al-Sidq): Details intention as the premise of deeds, the dangers and remedies of ostentation (riya), and the necessity of truthfulness.
- Chapter 8: Exemplary Role Model (al-Qudwah al-Hasanah): Focuses on personal embodiment of teachings and the obligation of providing a sound practical example.
- Chapter 9: Good Character (al-Khuluq al-Hasan): Highlights the centrality of moral character in preaching, methods of cultivation, and its diverse branches.
In the conclusion, the author summarizes these qualifications under ten core foundations: beneficial knowledge, wisdom, forbearance, deliberation, gentleness, patience, truthfulness, sincerity, exemplary role-modeling, and good character.
Publication and Derivatives
The first edition of the book was printed in 1415 AH / 1994 CE by Matbaat Safir in Riyadh. A second edition was later published by Muassasat al-Juraisi in Riyadh in 1429 AH. Al-Qahtani subsequently abridged and extracted individual sections of the book into independent, focused treatises, such as Anwa al-Sabr wa Majalatuh (Types and Fields of Patience).
Answer updated