Dakwah (Islamic outreach/proselytizing)
is an activity that involves calling, inviting, and summoning people to believe
in and obey Allah SWT, in accordance with the principles of Islamic aqidah
(faith), sharia (law), and akhlaq (morality). The term dakwah is
derived from the verb da'a-yad'u, which means a call, a summons, or an
invitation.
There
are several forms of dakwah: dakwah fardiah (individual outreach,
directed at a small, limited number of people); dakwah ammah (public
outreach, utilizing oral media); dakwah bil-lisan (outreach through
speech, such as lectures or direct communication); and dakwah bil-haal
(outreach through concrete action). The purpose of dakwah bil-haal is
for the recipient (al-mad'u) to follow the behavior of the da'i (the
person conducting the outreach); this approach is believed to have a profound
influence on the recipient.
Upon
his arrival in the city of Medina, the Prophet Muhammad SAW employed dakwah
bil-haal—for instance, by establishing the Quba Mosque and uniting the Ansar
(the local helpers) and the Muhajirin (the migrants). Setting a good
example—acting as a role model—was the approach chosen by the Prophet Muhammad
SAW to transform the character of the ummah (community), and he succeeded in
doing so within a span of just 23 years.
Dakwah
bil-haal is also
referred to as "developmental dakwah," as it is considered
particularly effective when addressing social issues such as unemployment and
poverty. In his dakwah, the Prophet Muhammad SAW did not merely preach, teach,
educate, or provide guidance; he also served as an uswatun hasanah (an
excellent role model). He provided practical examples and took a keen interest
in—while offering direction for—socio-economic life, including activities such
as farming, animal husbandry, and trade.
In
dakwah bil-haal, activities are not confined to mosques, discussion
forums, or religious study circles; rather, they take place directly within the
arena of everyday life. This form of da'wah (Islamic outreach) takes
place in impoverished settlements, hospitals, on board ships, in commercial and
employment hubs, and within factories. Da'wah bil-haal—outreach through
action—encompasses tangible deeds, such as the wealthy extending a helping hand
to the poor, providing legal protection, and so forth. When someone is hungry
and has nothing to eat, what they need is certainly not mere advice. Therefore,
various forms of material support—such as free food, milk, clothing, medical
care, business capital, funding for public infrastructure, and educational
scholarships—all fall under the category of da'wah bil-haal.
Allah
(SWT) is deeply displeased with those who frequently instruct others to do
things while failing to practice what they preach. "Great is the hatred
in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do"
(Ash-Saff: 3).
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