Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha 3 - Jamiat al-Madina

Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha 3 (Principles of Islamic Propagation and Its Methods, Part 3) is an academic textbook prepared and published by Al-Madinah International University (Jamiat al-Madina al-Alamiya) as part of its bachelor's degree curriculum in Islamic studies (course code: IDWH3033) in one volume Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha….

Overview and Subject Matter

The work serves as an instructional university text addressing the theological fundamentals and practical methodologies of Islamic propagation (da'wah). It is divided into sequential lessons that blend foundational creed (aqidah) with applied dawah principles derived from Islamic history and the Prophet's biography Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…+1.

Key Themes and Structure

Belief in Divine Decree and Predestination (al-Qada' wa-l-Qadar)

The earlier lessons examine belief in divine decree as an essential pillar of Islamic faith Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…. Topics covered include:

• Definitions and Distinctions: The linguistic and technical definitions of qadar (pre-eternal knowledge, divine writing, and execution of events) and qada' (decisive judgment and completion), drawing on definitions cited from scholars such as Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and al-Saffarini Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…+1.
• Doctrinal Positions and Polemics: The creed of early Muslim predecessors (al-salaf), the prohibition against disputing and argumentation concerning the divine decree, and the ruling regarding those who reject it Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…+1. It highlights statements such as Abdullah ibn Abbas's remark that decree is the organizing cord of divine unity (tawhid) Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha….
• Divisions of Decree: The classification of taqdir into four levels: general (al-taqdir al-amm in the Preserved Tablet), lifetime (al-umri), annual (al-sanawi on Laylat al-Qadr), and daily (al-yawmi) Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha….
• Human Will and Refutation of Fatalism: The refutation of fatalism (al-jabr), the affirmation of human choice and capability in voluntary actions under God's overarching will, and the invalidity of invoking divine decree to excuse abandoning obligatory duties or committing sins Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…+1. It also explains the theological understanding of guidance (hidayah) and misdirection (idlal) in relation to cause and effect Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha….

Dawah Methods in the Prophetic Biography (al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah)

Subsequent chapters focus on extracting pedagogical and da'wah methodologies from the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…:

• Objectives of Studying the Sirah: Outlining ten core educational objectives, such as understanding the practical application of Quranic and Hadith rulings, following the Prophetic model, comprehending the historical phases of dawah, and drawing lessons for addressing contemporary challenges Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha….
• The Historical Context: Analyzing the religious, social, and moral conditions of pre-Islamic Arabia, the commercial and religious prominence of Quraysh in Mecca, and the divine preparation of the Prophet ﷺ leading up to his mission Usul al-Dawah wa Turuquha…+1.