Search In Fatwa

Obstacles removed with insightful Da‘wah, consultation and role division

Question

I give lectures in my neighbourhood as I work in the field of Da'wah. There was an elderly woman who had been educated in a literacy class for adults. She had been lecturing before I became acquainted with the people there. They are pleased with my lectures because, thanks to Allaah The Almighty, I am educated, and I read a lot and write in some magazines.
The elderly woman has little knowledge and poor reading skills. All the sisters want me together with another sister to continue giving them lectures. They tell me that I am more impressive than the elderly lady. What should I do? I do not want others to think that I want to take the lead. Please advise. May Allaah reward you well.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

May Allaah The Almighty reward you, sister, for calling others to the worship of Allaah The Almighty, for enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong and for teaching Muslim sisters. We supplicate to Allaah The Almighty to add these efforts to your account of rewards and to confer more favors and grace upon us all.

Please be reminded of the verse that reads (what means): {And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims."}[Quran 41:33] Also, remember the Hadeeth in which the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) mentions that anyone who urges a good deed will receive a similar reward to that of the person who follows his advice, without diminishing that person’s reward.

You are advised to continue seeking knowledge, to read more and more, and to ask scholars about complicated issues, for knowledge is the basis of Da‘wah. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allaah with insight, I and those who follow me. And Exalted is Allaah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."}[Quran 12:108] Anyone who follows the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) has to call to the worship of Allaah The Almighty with insight, and knowledge is the way to gain insight.

You should know that Satan is keen to bring about disagreement among people, and especially among those who are righteous. Therefore, you should be wise in dealing with such matters and not proceed with something that may spoil relations and peace between people. You should sit with the other lecturers to coordinate, give advice, consult each other and divide roles between you. You should bring to your sisters' attention that matters should be arranged and that they should benefit from all the sister's who are lecturing, provided that they abide by Sharee'ah and educate others to do what is right.

Poor knowledge and failing to abide by the teachings of Islam are the only (valid) reasons to prevent someone from giving lectures.

And Allaah Knows best.

Related Fatwa