The Realities of Da'wah Discourse: Fundamentals and Obstacles

Abstract

This research paper addresses the reality of Islamic preaching, which requires reassessment and evaluation of preachers, preaching methods, and the impact of preaching on the hearts of those being addressed. Islamic preaching faces one of the most serious challenges: the intrusion of ideas into Muslim societies that target the religion as a whole, and even extend to targeting sound human nature. Therefore, the reality of Islamic preaching is that it has essential elements. Among these elements is that preachers apply the jurisprudence of priorities in what they address to people, especially regarding matters of faith, starting with the most important and proceeding to the less important. They should avoid secondary, controversial issues, as discussing and raising these issues can cause great harm. Furthermore, they should focus their discourse on negative and reprehensible societal phenomena, not on the individuals who perpetrate or promote them. They should gradually address issues that have become widespread, prevalent, and habitual, as it takes time and effort for people to abandon them. Just as Islamic preaching has its essential elements, it also has obstacles and impediments. One of these is the creation of preachers who are merely employees; preaching is a job before it is a trust and responsibility. Another obstacle is political division within a single country, and what it causes institutional turmoil, casting its shadow on advocacy entities, thus creating ideologically driven preachers. Consequently, advocacy institutions become sects and parties with conflicting advocacy discourse, depending on political orientations. Another obstacle is the emergence of unqualified and unapproved preachers, "social media preachers," who create confusion and mixing up advocacy discourse.