For those involoved in calling people to Islam or for those who are looking to become callers to Islam, here are 10 quotes worth thinking about and implementing accordingly.
1) Don’t argue
A sign of a person’s evil is his need to constantly argue.
Imām Mālik
2) Stay in your lane
All my students succeeded, save he who swam in the seas of scholars differences while he lacked the acumen to understand those differences.
Imām Subki
3) Don’t be an attention seeker
When you notice a person making a name for himself by attacking the scholars and speaking ill of them, flee from him.
Imām al-Ghazzali
4) Increase in knowledge of fiqh
When a person increases his understanding of fiqh, his rebuking of others decreases.
Sh. Abū Saif
5) Don’t expect to be taught everything
Teaching (higher levels of) knowledge to the unqualified is like putting jewels on a pig.
Ibn Majāh
6) Have the right intention for learning
Who learns religious knowledge to argue with scholars and impress people should prepare for Hell.
Al-Tirmidhi
7) Prepare yourself properly
Dig yourself in a isolated, fertile land because a seed will not grow and produce unless it was planted.” I heard one of our teachers in Azhar say, “How many people fail to prepare themselves before they take on Dawah. Their fruit will be rotten and those who eat it will get sick.
Ibn Attāullah
8) Keep your passion in check
Nothing kills a person’s passion to learn like fame.
Imam Shåf’i
9) Stay away from fame
There is no good in fame.
Imām Mālik
10) Hate the sin, not the sinner
“Hundreds of issues unite us and only one has divided us, sometimes winning hearts is more important than winning situations. Don’t demolish bridges you built and crossed, for you may need them again one day for your return. Always hate what is wrong, but do not hate the one who errs. Hate sin with all your heart but forgive and have mercy on the sinner. Criticize speech but respect the speaker. Our job is to wipe out the disease, not the patient.”
Imam Shāf’i