imam ghazallis qualities required for preaching

[muslim brother]

REALITY OF PREACHING

You are being admonished that you refrain from preaching and making speeches because there are great calamities and harms in it. If you think that whatever you preach you have already acted upon it, then keep this in mind also that Allah, the Exalted and the Truth, said to Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus – Peace be upon him):

“Ya Ibna Maryama A’azee Nafsaka Fa In At-ta’azta Fa Izin Nasa Fustahyee Minni.”
“O Son of Mary! You [should] admonish you self (Nafs) [first], then if it accepts your advice then give advices to others, otherwise have shame before Me.”

If such situations get created that you have to preach, then refrain from two things: Firstly, in your sermon refrain from colorful narrations, gestures and signs (secretive language), flowery and decorated language, pleasing poetry, illegal talk that is against the Shari’ah (Divine laws), and lies of [fake] Sufis (spiritually elevated individuals).

It is because Allah, the Exalted, does not like those who are pretentious (showy).
But if [some preacher’s sermon or talk] exceeds the boundaries of pretense and show (i.e. one is only trying to impress others with a seemingly eloquent language) then know that this preacher’s inner being (heart) is bad and his/her heart is heedless [of God’s remembrance].

Because the purpose of sermon (religious talk) is not to display one’s capabilities

from dear beloved son .imam ghazalli

 

[muslim brother]

Islam’s success is realized through beautiful, honest preaching. This needs to be carried out with wisdom, respect and sensitivity to the people we address. It requires choosing appropriate means and understanding the way people think, both within the Muslim world and in non-Muslim societies.

It requires training preachers to be able to spread the word of Allah to others and touch their hearts and souls. The Qur’an sets out methods of preaching that address both the heart and mind.

Regardless of the time or place, the work of preachers requires knowledge of the Qur’an, the Prophet’s Sunnah, the study of Islamic beliefs and teachings, and ethical conduct. They must follow the Prophet’s example in how they convey the message to the people, whatever the circumstances and situations.

Preachers need to have proper knowledge of the important and worthwhile issues that have captured the public imagination, like human rights, gender justice and religious tolerance. They need to understand these issues in accordance with their knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah. They also need to understand the true nature of these ideas in their various contexts, as well as the differing motives of those who advocate for them, so that they can then properly guide the people in these matters and become pioneers in the moral reform of their respective societies.

Through our religion of Islam, we understand human dignity, equality, justice, the principle of consultation, solidarity and mutual compassion. When engaging with others, however, cultural sensitivities come into play in all of these matters, and no two audiences will mean exactly the same thing by them.

This is why cultural sensitivity and a deep understanding of different cultural outlooks are indispensable to Islamic work.

 

[muslim brother]

O my teacher!
The fourth benefit is that I looked at the people of the world and saw that some of them think that grandeur and honor belong to the nation or tribe (group) that is big and powerful, that’s why they are expressing pride in their tribe (nation or group).
Some of them are such that they think that the grandeur is obtained through abundance of wealth, [material] possessions, family and relatives that’s why [some] people are expressing their pride in their wealth and children.
Some [people] are such that they think that their grandeur and honor is in displaying anger, beating, killing, murder and pillage and they express their pride in that.
Some [people] are such that they think that their grandeur is in wasteful spending that’s why they consider their wasteful spending a source of honor and express their pride in that. But I deliberated on this verse in which Allah, the Exalted, says:


‘Inna Akramakum ‘IndAllahi Atqakum.’
‘Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most deeply conscious (i.e. fearful) of Him.’ (Quran, Chapter 49, Verse 13)


Therefore this is correct and is the truth and the creations’ thoughts are false and wrong conjectures. That’s why I adopted Taqwa (pious reverence, consciousness, awe, and fear of Allah) so that I get counted as the one with the highest rank in the sight of Allah, the Exalted.”


Shaykh Shafeeq Balkhi (May Allah Shower His Mercy upon him) said:


“O Hatim! May Allah be pleased with you. You have said a very good thing

 

[fhmn63]

Imam Ghazali's work is remarkable.