Usul al-Dawah
- Author died
- 1435 AH
- Editions
- Mu’assasat al-Risālah
Usul al-Dawah (The Principles of Islamic Da'wah) is a foundational treatise on the theory, methodology, and ethics of Islamic propagation written by the Iraqi scholar Abd al-Karim Zaydan (d. 1435 AH / 2014 CE) .
Structure and Scope
The author organizes the book around what he defines as the four fundamental pillars (usul) of da'wah, dedicating a major part (bab) to each, followed by a conclusion :
- Part One: The Subject of Da'wah (موضوع الدعوة): Examines Islam itself as the message being conveyed . This part is divided into five chapters addressing the definition of Islam, its pillars (arkan), its distinguishing characteristics (khasa'is), its overarching systems (anzimah), and its objectives (maqasid) .
- Part Two: The Caller (الداعي): Covers the individual or group religiously tasked with inviting others to Islam . It contains three chapters covering the definition and religious obligation of the caller, the provisions and qualifications ('uddah) required for the mission, and the necessary personal morals and ethics (akhlaq) .
- Part Three: The Addressee (المدعو): Focuses on the recipients of the message, establishing that the call of Islam is directed universally to all humanity without exception . It is divided into two chapters discussing the definition, rights, and duties of the addressee, followed by an analysis of different target groups, such as the elites or leaders (al-mala'), the general populace, and hypocrites .
- Part Four: Methods and Means of Da'wah (أساليب الدعوة ووسائلها): Outlines the practical execution of propagation across three chapters covering the sources of these methods and the need for them, the communicative styles and approaches (asalib), and the practical instruments and tools (wasa'il) employed by the caller .
Method and Reception
Zaydan bases his framework on evidence from the Quran and the prophetic Sunnah, deriving the principles and practices of calling to God from the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . Later scholars of da'wah literature have noted that while the book does not offer a precise technical definition of usul al-da'wah as an independent academic discipline, its comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, the caller, the audience, and the methods helped shape contemporary understanding and curricula in the field .
Publication History
The work has been published in multiple editions by several houses, including Jam'iyyat al-Amani in Baghdad, Maktabat al-Manar al-Islamiyyah, Mu'assasat al-Risalah in Beirut, and Dar al-Bayan .
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