Etiquettes of Da’wah

From: www.defendingislam.com

Invite the unbelievers with beautiful preaching and gracious arguments; be patient and do not retaliate. (Glorious Quran 16:125)


And argue not with the people of the Book except with what is best as an argument, but argue not at all with such of them as are unjust. And say, 'We believe in that which has been revealed to us and that which was revealed to you; and there is only one God between us, and to Him we submit. (Glorious Quran 29:46)

And let there always be among you a body of men who should invite to goodness, and enjoin virtue and forbid evil. And it is they who shall prosper. (Glorious Quran 3:104)

And He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear the Signs of God being denied and mocked at, sit not with those who indulge in such talk until they engage in some other talk; for in that case you would be like them. (Glorious Quran 4:140)


What the Scholars have said:


"A debate is only justified to unveil truth, so that the more knowledgeable should impart knowledge to the less knowledgeable, and to stimulate a weaker intellect." - adh-Dhahabi

"I never talked with someone without sincerely praying that Allah guard them, protect them from sin, and guide them; and I never debated with someone without sincerely praying that we both would come upon truth, regardless of whether he or I should be the one to think of it first." - Imam al-Shafi`i

"Cooperation in seeking truth is inherent to religion, but sincerity in the pursuit of truth can be distinguished with certain conditions and signs. A diligent seeker of truth may be compared to one who is looking for his lost camel. It would be immaterial for him if he or another person should be the one to find it. Likewise, a sincere truth-seeker would perceive his partner as a helper rather than an adversary, and would be grateful to him if he should guide him to truth." - Al-Ghazali

If quoting, maintain accuracy; if claiming, provide proof. [An aphorism of Muslim scholars]

"Some scholars used to excuse anyone who disagrees with them in debatable matters, and never insisted that they should accept their view." - Ibn Qudama [Al-Mughni]

"Let each one of the debaters accept statements of the other party supported with proof. By doing that, he would demonstrate a nobility and self-respect, and he would prove himself to be an acceptor of truth." - Ibn Akeel

"Over-enthusiasm is a mark of corrupted scholars, even when the case they are defending is true. By showing excessive enthusiasm for truth and their contempt of their opponents, the latter would be stimulated to retaliate and react in the same manner. They would instead be driven to stand for falsehood and to be true to the label attributed to them. If the champions of truth had spoken kindly to them avoiding publicity and humiliation they would have succeeded in winning them over. But as it is, a person who enjoys a place of prestige is strongly inclined to preserve his position by attracting followers, and the only way to do that is to boast and to attack or curse adversaries." - Al-Ghazali

"I never debate with someone and he accepts my proof except that I hold him in high esteem, and I never debate with someone and he refuses my proof except that I lose all esteem for him." - Imam al-Shafi`i

"If you sit with scholars, my son, be more interested in listening than in speaking. Learn good listening just as you learn good speaking. Never interrupt a speaker, even if he takes long, until he comes to an end." -Advice of Al-Hasan ibn Ali (radhiallahu `anhu) to his son.

You should give a speaker time until he concludes, not seeming anxious to reply. Have your face and look in the direction of the speaker and try to understand what he says." - Ibn al-Muqaffa`