Written by: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer
The propagation of religion, the invitation to truth, and its promotion are great duties that scholars and thinkers fulfill according to their capacities. Since speeches have a more direct connection with the public compared to writings, where the manner of speaking along with the speaker's morals and character leave deep impressions, I am attempting to write a few words of advice under the guidance of “I only desire reform” for those brothers who are champions in this field.
Although the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “Convey from me even if it is one verse” [Sahih Bukhari: 3461] also demands that the call to religion be spread in every possible way.
For the preacher and caller, it is essential to practice the Quran and Sunnah themselves along with inviting others to it and to completely avoid all non-Shari'ah matters.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “On the night of my Ascension, I saw some people whose lips were being cut with scissors of fire. I asked Jibreel (Gabriel), who are they? He replied: These are the preachers of your Ummah who commanded people to do good but forgot it themselves, even though they used to read the Book. Will they not reason?”
[Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 53 with a Hasan chain, Al-Mukhtarah by Al-Diya al-Maqdisi 7/207, Hadith 2646]
Regarding such preachers who forbid people from evil but engage in it themselves, the Prophet ﷺ said: “On the Day of Judgment, a man will be brought and thrown into Hellfire. His intestines will come out, and he will rotate like a donkey around a millstone. The people of Hell will gather around him and say: O so-and-so, what happened to you? He will say: I used to command good but did not practice it myself, and I used to forbid evil but committed it myself.” [Sahih Bukhari: 3267, Sahih Muslim: 2989]
In the invitation to Tawheed and Sunnah and the reformation of society, wisdom should not be overlooked, and the rejection of Shirk, Bid’ah, sins, and evils should be done in the best and most reasoned manner.
In the sermon, evidence should be derived from the verses of the Quran in the light of the understanding of the pious predecessors, and only authentic Hadiths, authentic narrations, and true historical events should be presented with references.
Weak and fabricated narrations and unfounded events should be completely avoided. It is not permissible to mention a fabricated Hadith without rejecting and denying it. [See Muqaddimah Ibn al-Salah, p. 1331] The same rule applies to denounced, odd, and unfounded narrations. The prevalent opinion about weak and unauthentic narrations is that they should not be stated with certainty.
[See Qawa'id al-Tahdith by Qasmi, p. 113, Al-Hadith Monthly: 4, p. 7]
Some people narrate fabricated stories or incidents in an impressive manner to entertain the audience and then state that it is fabricated. This approach is completely wrong. If it is intended to inform about a weak or fabricated narration, it should be explained simply and rejected.
Some individuals wave their hands excessively during speeches and sometimes raise both hands together very high, which is not correct.
Sayyidina Amara (RA) narrates: “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ indicating with only the index finger.” [Sahih Muslim: 874, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1104]
Avoid lengthy speeches and styles of delivery that are more burdensome than beneficial.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was particularly mindful of people’s weariness.
[See Sahih Bukhari: 68, Sahih Muslim: 2821]
Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (RA) narrates that Sayyidah Aisha (RA) sent a message to my father Umar (RA) about a storyteller (preacher) who used to sit near the door of her chamber and preach, saying: “He has caused me distress until I cannot even hear the conversations of visitors.” My father Umar (RA) sent a message forbidding that preacher. Then, one day, he repeated this action, so my father Umar (RA) stood up with a stick and beat him until the stick broke on his head.
[Tarikh al-Madina al-Munawwara by Umar bin Shabbah 1/151 with an authentic chain]
Refrain from unnecessary poetry and ornate melodies, although reciting the Quran melodiously is permissible and commendable.
The sermon should be purposeful and beneficial, avoiding idle talk as much as possible, and every statement should be presented with a reference.
Once, Bashir bin Ka'b al-Adawi (RA) was narrating Hadiths saying “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said”, but Ibn Abbas (RA) paid no attention to those (unreferenced) narrations.
[Muqaddimah Sahih Muslim, Darussalam numbering: 21]
Arrogance should be avoided in all forms; it is the enemy of knowledge and practice.
Adopt humility and modesty, as it is a path to knowledge and practice and the characteristic of scholars.
Always keep the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah (Ahl al-Hadith) in view, maintain contact with righteous scholars, and engage in the call to the Quran and Sunnah.
Make strenuous efforts to eliminate the discord, jealousy, hatred, and resentment caused by factionalism and partisanship. Unite all righteous brothers as one group. Protect yourself and others from the path of the Khawarij and Takfiris, and never disrespect your righteous brothers.
When a person becomes sincere for Allah, Allah creates ease for His servant and smooths the paths.
Therefore, always prefer the benefit of the Hereafter over worldly interests, and dedicate all forms of greed and desire to the elevation of Islam.
The propagation of religion, the invitation to truth, and its promotion are great duties that scholars and thinkers fulfill according to their capacities. Since speeches have a more direct connection with the public compared to writings, where the manner of speaking along with the speaker's morals and character leave deep impressions, I am attempting to write a few words of advice under the guidance of “I only desire reform” for those brothers who are champions in this field.
Although the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “Convey from me even if it is one verse” [Sahih Bukhari: 3461] also demands that the call to religion be spread in every possible way.
For the preacher and caller, it is essential to practice the Quran and Sunnah themselves along with inviting others to it and to completely avoid all non-Shari'ah matters.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “On the night of my Ascension, I saw some people whose lips were being cut with scissors of fire. I asked Jibreel (Gabriel), who are they? He replied: These are the preachers of your Ummah who commanded people to do good but forgot it themselves, even though they used to read the Book. Will they not reason?”
[Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 53 with a Hasan chain, Al-Mukhtarah by Al-Diya al-Maqdisi 7/207, Hadith 2646]
Regarding such preachers who forbid people from evil but engage in it themselves, the Prophet ﷺ said: “On the Day of Judgment, a man will be brought and thrown into Hellfire. His intestines will come out, and he will rotate like a donkey around a millstone. The people of Hell will gather around him and say: O so-and-so, what happened to you? He will say: I used to command good but did not practice it myself, and I used to forbid evil but committed it myself.” [Sahih Bukhari: 3267, Sahih Muslim: 2989]
In the invitation to Tawheed and Sunnah and the reformation of society, wisdom should not be overlooked, and the rejection of Shirk, Bid’ah, sins, and evils should be done in the best and most reasoned manner.
In the sermon, evidence should be derived from the verses of the Quran in the light of the understanding of the pious predecessors, and only authentic Hadiths, authentic narrations, and true historical events should be presented with references.
Weak and fabricated narrations and unfounded events should be completely avoided. It is not permissible to mention a fabricated Hadith without rejecting and denying it. [See Muqaddimah Ibn al-Salah, p. 1331] The same rule applies to denounced, odd, and unfounded narrations. The prevalent opinion about weak and unauthentic narrations is that they should not be stated with certainty.
[See Qawa'id al-Tahdith by Qasmi, p. 113, Al-Hadith Monthly: 4, p. 7]
Some people narrate fabricated stories or incidents in an impressive manner to entertain the audience and then state that it is fabricated. This approach is completely wrong. If it is intended to inform about a weak or fabricated narration, it should be explained simply and rejected.
Some individuals wave their hands excessively during speeches and sometimes raise both hands together very high, which is not correct.
Sayyidina Amara (RA) narrates: “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ indicating with only the index finger.” [Sahih Muslim: 874, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1104]
Avoid lengthy speeches and styles of delivery that are more burdensome than beneficial.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was particularly mindful of people’s weariness.
[See Sahih Bukhari: 68, Sahih Muslim: 2821]
Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar (RA) narrates that Sayyidah Aisha (RA) sent a message to my father Umar (RA) about a storyteller (preacher) who used to sit near the door of her chamber and preach, saying: “He has caused me distress until I cannot even hear the conversations of visitors.” My father Umar (RA) sent a message forbidding that preacher. Then, one day, he repeated this action, so my father Umar (RA) stood up with a stick and beat him until the stick broke on his head.
[Tarikh al-Madina al-Munawwara by Umar bin Shabbah 1/151 with an authentic chain]
Refrain from unnecessary poetry and ornate melodies, although reciting the Quran melodiously is permissible and commendable.
The sermon should be purposeful and beneficial, avoiding idle talk as much as possible, and every statement should be presented with a reference.
Once, Bashir bin Ka'b al-Adawi (RA) was narrating Hadiths saying “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said”, but Ibn Abbas (RA) paid no attention to those (unreferenced) narrations.
[Muqaddimah Sahih Muslim, Darussalam numbering: 21]
Arrogance should be avoided in all forms; it is the enemy of knowledge and practice.
Adopt humility and modesty, as it is a path to knowledge and practice and the characteristic of scholars.
Always keep the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah (Ahl al-Hadith) in view, maintain contact with righteous scholars, and engage in the call to the Quran and Sunnah.
Make strenuous efforts to eliminate the discord, jealousy, hatred, and resentment caused by factionalism and partisanship. Unite all righteous brothers as one group. Protect yourself and others from the path of the Khawarij and Takfiris, and never disrespect your righteous brothers.
When a person becomes sincere for Allah, Allah creates ease for His servant and smooths the paths.
Therefore, always prefer the benefit of the Hereafter over worldly interests, and dedicate all forms of greed and desire to the elevation of Islam.