The use of kindness and gentleness in da’wah
As much as we are able to do so, we must be kind and gentle when calling others to the way of Allah, for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said,
“O ‘A’ishah! Verily, Allah is Rafiq (Kind and Merciful and Gentle); He loves gentleness, and he gives for gentleness that which He does not give for harshness and that which He does not give for anything other than it.”[1]
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) bestowed this quality upon His Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم), whereby he (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was gentle and kind in dealing with Allah’s slaves. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) said:
{And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you.} [Surah Aal-’Imraan 3:159]
Use yourself as an example when trying to understand others. If someone were to speak with you in a harsh manner, something inside of you would prompt you to answer him in like manner. The Shaytan (Devil) would cast into your heart the thought that he does not sincerely want your betterment, but only wants to criticize. Whenever one feels that the person addressing him wants to criticize him, he will not yield to his guidance or to his da’wah. But when one goes to someone with kindness and gentle words, much good will result. Both Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) directed us to adopt a kind and gentle manner in inviting others to the way of Allah.
[1] Related by Muslim (2593) in the chapter, “The Superiority of Kindness (and Gentleness),” from the hadith of A’ishah (رضي الله عنها).
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-'Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him
Source: Taken from the book “The Islamic Awakening: Important Guidelines” (As-Sahwah al-Islamiyyah), page 64 (of English translation). Translated by Faisal Ibn Muhammad and published by Al-Hidaayah Publishing & Distribution.
“O ‘A’ishah! Verily, Allah is Rafiq (Kind and Merciful and Gentle); He loves gentleness, and he gives for gentleness that which He does not give for harshness and that which He does not give for anything other than it.”[1]
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) bestowed this quality upon His Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم), whereby he (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was gentle and kind in dealing with Allah’s slaves. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) said:
{And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you.} [Surah Aal-’Imraan 3:159]
Use yourself as an example when trying to understand others. If someone were to speak with you in a harsh manner, something inside of you would prompt you to answer him in like manner. The Shaytan (Devil) would cast into your heart the thought that he does not sincerely want your betterment, but only wants to criticize. Whenever one feels that the person addressing him wants to criticize him, he will not yield to his guidance or to his da’wah. But when one goes to someone with kindness and gentle words, much good will result. Both Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) directed us to adopt a kind and gentle manner in inviting others to the way of Allah.
[1] Related by Muslim (2593) in the chapter, “The Superiority of Kindness (and Gentleness),” from the hadith of A’ishah (رضي الله عنها).
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-'Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him
Source: Taken from the book “The Islamic Awakening: Important Guidelines” (As-Sahwah al-Islamiyyah), page 64 (of English translation). Translated by Faisal Ibn Muhammad and published by Al-Hidaayah Publishing & Distribution.