Shaykh Zayd ibn Muhammad al-Madkhali (rahimahullah): I would like to briefly mention the noble qualities that a caller to Allah must possess in order to be successful in his da‘wah and prosperous in his endeavors. So, I say —seeking Allah’s assistance in all matters:

The First Quality:
Sincerity in intention for Allah, who controls reward and punishment and accepts only pure and correct deeds. As the hadith says:

إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى

“Actions are only by intentions, and for each person there is only that which he intended.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

The Second Quality:
Acquiring beneficial knowledge that leads to righteous deeds:

وَتَزَوَّدُوا فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ

“And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah (taqwa)” (al-Baqarah 2:197)

The Third Quality:
Correct understanding of aqidah and proper worship, as this ensures the acceptance of all deeds.

The Fourth Quality:
Being mindful of Allah both in private and public, feeling shame before Him, and being fully prepared to transition from this life to the life in the Barzakh (the interval between death and the Day of Resurrection) and then to the eternal abode:

أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ

“To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, know that He sees you.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

The Fifth Quality:
Self-accountability and complete readiness for the Day of Transition from this world to the eternal abode.

The Sixth Quality:
Genuine eagerness to follow the example of the noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by adhering to what he brought from his Lord and rejecting both Eastern and Western traditions that most people, especially Muslim youth, have been afflicted with due to malicious propaganda that destroys religion, ruins morals, and fights the natural disposition Allah created people upon.

The Seventh Quality:
Utilising time in everything that is beneficial for this world and the hereafter, hoping for Allah’s reward and combating idleness, aimlessness, and wastefulness which lead to failure, deprivation, and loss in this world, the Barzakh, and on the Day we meet Allah.

The Eighth Quality:
Diligence in spreading knowledge, dedicating valuable time to it, and preparing oneself well to convey good to the audience, considering their diverse levels and varying conditions.

The Ninth Quality:
Striving for extensive reading and perusal of beneficial books, both old and new, prioritizing the Qur’an and its well-known books of tafsir, the pure books of Sunnah like the Six Major Collections and their explanations, and the Prophetic biography which reveals the methods of how the Prophet gave da‘wah. Additionally, reading contemporary magazines and newspapers for gaining insights or critiquing them to clarify the truth, uphold it, and refute falsehood.

The Tenth Quality:
Choosing a good approach in preaching, debating, and teaching, taking into account people’s understanding and needs, as every situation demands a specific approach, and every time has its own men.

The Eleventh Quality:
Giving importance to the Arabic language as it is the language of the Qur’an. We have often seen people turning away from someone who makes grammatical mistakes when speaking, showing disinterest in his sermon or lecture.

The Twelfth Quality:
Keeping up with current events and understanding the time and society in which one lives. This is one of the strongest reasons for the success of calling people to Allah.

The Thirteenth Quality:
Frequently citing the Qur’an with its stories, parables, promises, and warnings, as well as the stories and parables used by the Prophet ﷺ in his sermons and reminders. It is also beneficial to mention the virtues of the scholars from our righteous predecessors, the guides of light, and the leaders of religion and piety, to strengthen the resolve of the audience, so they follow in their footsteps and take them as good and wise role models.

The Fourteenth Quality:
Gradually educating and calling people by teaching them the fundamentals of knowledge before the major aspects. Teaching them the aqidah which the great prophets and noble messengers began calling people to. This is true insight and wisdom.

The Fifteenth Quality:
Avoiding lengthy sessions to prevent people from becoming bored or distracted from their necessities. Except when there is a need to make it lengthy then there is no harm in that. It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ once delivered a sermon for an entire day, explaining everything about their religion until the people of Paradise entered Paradise and the people of Hell entered Hell, and his companions were seated listening without feeling bored or weary.

The Sixteenth Quality:
Eagerly seeking wisdom as instructed by the Qur’an, avoiding reprimanding or denouncing those he is calling except when appropriate. If the opponent is frivolous and reckless, one should use strictness to restrain and deter them, making them realize that honour belongs to those who believe in Allah and call to Him, as Allah says:

قَالَ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا أَنزَلَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ بَصَائِرَ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا فِرْعَوْنُ مَثْبُورًا

“[Musa] said, You have already known that none has sent down these [signs] except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as evidence, and indeed I think, O Firawn, that you are doomed to destruction.'” (al-Isra 17:102)

The Seventeenth Quality:
Being highly tolerant and patient, as those who choose the path of the Prophets must endure the hardships that require a significant amount of patience to fulfill their duties and accomplish their mission.

The Eighteenth Quality:
Starting, in learning and calling, with the fundamentals of the religion, such as aqidah, worship, dealings, behavior, and good manners.

The Nineteenth Quality:
Acknowledging the virtue of scholars and people of merit, showing respect to others, not depriving them of their rights, and not issuing fatwas (verdicts) in their presence without their permission if they are more knowledgeable and well-versed.

The Twentieth Quality:
Possessing legislated courage and bravery paired with wisdom in da‘wah, following the methodology of the righteous predecessors. Calling to Allah is a form of jihad, which requires bravery and wisdom, believing that life and death, and the guidance of hearts, are in Allah’s Hands alone. Acting in accordance with the noble Shari‘ah texts without extremism or negligence.

The Twenty-First Quality:
Generosity, as it is a great character and a solid reason for people to be inclined towards the callers to Allah, to learn from them, and benefit from them. Human nature loves those who do good to them. How excellent is the statement of the poet:

Be kind to people and you will enslave their hearts
For often has kindness made a person a master over others

The Twenty-Second Quality:
Recognizing and acting upon the truth. Acknowledging the truth is a virtue, and the callers to Allah should be the first to embody this.

The Twenty-Third Quality:
Being gentle in teaching, debating, and discussing, as this is the way of the prophets and messengers. They are our good example and wise role models in all our actions and matters until Allah inherits the earth and everything on it, and He is the best inheritor.

These are twenty-three qualities and they are only found in the best callers to Allah. While not everyone may possess all of them, striving to attain the majority and continuing to work towards acquiring them is essential to be among those whom Allah has blessed from the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.

It is also essential to avoid showing off, argumentation, self-amazement and the pursuit of fame, as these are lowly objectives indicating corrupt intentions, a sick heart and lack of faith in Allah, who controls life, death, reward, and punishment. He recompenses all actions, good and evil, private and public, as He says:

وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا ۖ وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَاسِبِينَ

“And We set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.” (al-Anbiya: 21:47)

And He says:

فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

“So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord – let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.” (al-Kahf: 18:110)

Dear reader, this is a summary of the call to Allah and the traits of the caller so that you can know how the noble Prophets, great Messengers, and their followers embraced this call in every time and place. They strived for it with their hands, hearts, and tongues, achieving honour and victory through their sincerity, patience, and faith, despite it being hated by the people of evil, corruption and tyranny.

Source: al-Manhaj al-Qawim pp. 26-33