matter requiring clarification. When engaging in debate, a true caller to Allah should argue in a way that is best, displaying forbearance and dignity. Allah states in another Ayah (Verse from the Qur'an):
And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islâmic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong
According to the Ayah, those who do wrong and transgress should be dealt with in another way. However, one should remain gentle and calm as long as the other party listens, responds, or negotiates in a proper way. In either case, one should not give up forbearance, fair preaching, and presenting the evidence of Shari`ah and peaceful debate. Allah (glory be to Him) states:
and speak good to people [i.e. enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, and say the truth about Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Righteousness is good character.
Allah (Exalted be He) praised the Prophet (peace be upon him) concerning the matter of Da`wah. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) stated:
And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harshhearted, they would have broken away from about you
Our Prophet was the most perfect person in his Da`wah and Iman. If he had been severe and harshhearted, people would have run away from him, so what do you think of yourself? One should be patient and persistent and should not react forcibly with negative responses and harshness but should be gentle and patient observing what Allah revealed to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) when He sent them both to Pharaoh:
And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allâh).
You should also do so, perhaps your invitee may accept admonition or fear Allah. It was authentically reported on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
O Allah, whoever (happens to) assume some control over the affairs of my people and is kind to them, be kind to him, and whoever happens to acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is hard upon them, be hard upon him.
The Hadith includes both a pleasant promise for one who shows kindness and a great warning for one who is harsh. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:
He who is deprived of forbearance and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good.
The Prophet (may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) also says:
Be kind, for kindness is not to be found in anything except that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything except that it makes it defective.
It is obligatory upon the caller to Allah to show forbearance and use a kind, good approach when calling Muslims and nonMuslims. The same is true when calling rulers and common people, but it is most necessary with rulers as they require more gentleness and mercy. Perhaps they may accept the truth and promote it. Also, a Mubtadi` (one who introduces innovations in Islam) who is used to Bida`ah, or a sinner who is used to wrongdoings
should be dealt with patiently till the Mubtadi` abandons his Bida`ah and abides by proofs and a sinner recognizes the harms of sins and their bad consequences accepting the right and gives up wrongdoing.
Indeed, among the most useful method in approaching others is a good style in inviting people' Conversely, an aggresive and harsh style is among the main causes of the rejection of truth, stirring up troubles, causing injustice, and creating problems.
However, among the invalid ways of Da`wah are demonstrations which cause great harm to the callers to Allah. It is a fact that marches in streets, protests and demonstrations are not the proper ways of reformation and Da`wah, but the proper way is advising rulers and those in authority through visits and correspondence; not through engaging in violence and demonstrations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) remained in Makkah for thirteen years and did not hold a demonstration or a march, nor did he threatened to destroy people's property or kill them.
A violent approach causes nothing but harm to the Da`wah and those who undertake it. It stands as an obstacle preventing its spread and circulation. Also, this causes presidents and those of authority to resist Da`wah and oppose it with every possible means. Of course it is right that those who engage in demonstrations and marches seek the good but the opposite usually is the result. Following in the footsteps of Messengers and their followers, no matter how long this takes, is better than any act that harms Da`wah, weakens it, or even destroys it. My advice to every caller to Allah is to use kindness in their speech, letters, all their attempts concerning Da`wah, and to observe mercy with every person unless they exceed the limits. There is no better way for Da`wah than that of the Messengers for they are the best model and the Imams. There was among them Nuh (Noah) who stayed among them a thousand years less fifty inviting them to Allah as well as Hud, Salih, Shu`ayb and Ibrahim (Ibraham). Other Messengers remained steadfast and called their people to Allah and then Allah destroyed their people for their sins and saved the Prophets and their followers.
O caller to Allah, there is in these Prophets and above all our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the best example for you to follow. Our Prophet bore the evils of disbelievers in Makkah and in Madinah where there were the Jews, hypocrites and those who did not embrace Islam among AlAws and AlKhazraj till Allah had guided them and made it easy to expell the Jews and