Calling to Islaam While Preserving It’s Honor

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdil-Wahhaab al-Aqeel
Reference: Private sitting with the Shaikh, later translated on Thursday January 25th 2007,
corresponding to 7th Muharram 1428

“O Sheikh we desire from you some clarification on how the Da’ee or the student of knowledge can be effective and successful in giving Da’wah in
spite of living in the West, and how is he to respond to such questions which are prone to controversy without tarnishing the honor of Islam?”

Sheikh: First of all it is not appropriate for anyone to speak about the religion of Islam except the Ulamaa and the students of knowledge. Nothing has
been more damaging and detrimental to this religion of Islam than those ignorant individuals who take it upon themselves to speak about the religion.
For they neither speak with knowledge nor Hikmah (i.e. wisdom) and Allah Azza wa Jala stated:

{ادعوا إلى سبيل ربك با لحكمة والموعظة الحسنة و جادلهم با لتي هي أحسن}

“Call to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good admonition and argue in ways which are best”

And Allah stated:

{و لا تجادل أهل الكتاب إلا بالتي هي أحسن}

“And don’t argue with the people of the Book except in ways which are best”

You see, this issue of giving Da’wah deserves

“He Came To Steal But Got Stolen…”

An exemplary illustration of the concern the Pious Predecessors (i.e. Salaf us Salih)
had for the people…

A thief broke into the home of Malik Ibn Dinar (d. 127H.), who was from the Ta’bieen (i.
e. the generation after the companions of Prophet Muhammad ) to steal, however, he
didn’t find anything to take. (This was due to the fact that Malik Ibn Dinar was a known
ascetic (i.e. Zahid) who abandoned the transient luxuries of this life).

Malik saw him through his peripheral while he was praying. He finished his prayer
quickly turned to the thief and said: “As Salamu Alaikum! O my brother, may Allah
turn to you in forgiveness!” You broke into my home to steal but you found nothing to take.
I will not allow you to leave except with some form of benefit!”

He brought to the thief a cup filled with water and said to him: “Perform wudhu (i.e.
ablution) and pray two rakaat (i.e. units of prayer) for indeed you will leave with
something far greater than what you came to get!” So the thief said respectfully “sure why
not.” He performed wudhu and prayed two rakaat just as he was instructed and when he
finished he turned to Malik and said:

“O Malik, would it trouble you if I prayed more?”