The Prophet’s (saw) Methodology for Revival
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Circle 2: Step One: Teaching and Culturing
We mentioned earlier that the Da’wah of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم is divided into three steps. As for the 1st Step it includes teaching and culturing aimed at:
- Building the Islamic Personality
- Prepare a group (party) to carry Da’wah.
Makkah was the initial stage in which the first Circle of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and worked with them to usher revival. He (saw) begun his Da’wah with in his household and close relatives and later the whole Ummah. Those who embraced and believed in Islam he gathered and cultured them. He (saw) taught them what was revealed in the Qur’an secretly far from the prying eyes of the polytheists.
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to meet with the companions (ra) in the house of Arqam Ibn Abi Arqam (ra) and sometimes in the caves of Makkah during dark nights and hot sunny days. He (saw) was concerned with two aspects during his culturing process:
First: Building the Islamic Aqeedah (belief) in their hearts; in order for them to have a deeper understanding and internalize it in their hearts the fundamentals of the Islamic Aqeedah (belief) so that they can be firm and not dissuaded by anyone later.
Second: Building the Islamic Personality of the companions (ra) and provide conviction in them of an Islamic mentality and disposition to be their body, be the army of Allah (swt) who listen and act according to His commandments; who convey to the people the light and guidance of Islam and later to have the ability to inform and convince others of the same since they will be the Da’wah carriers and leaders of the Ummah. Due to that it was a prerequisite to have a deeper understanding and to be able to call people to the religion of Allah (swt).
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم Da’wah was known but hid his group (party) because he used to call people to the deen of Allah (swt) during the day and night while reciting to his people:
ياأيها الناس إني رسول الله إليكم جميعا
“Say, [O Muhammad], “O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.” So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.”
[Al-A’raaf: 158]
He (saw) continued his Da’wah from the 1st Day as was reported by Bukhar from Ibn Abbas (ra) who said; when it was revealed:
وأنذر عشيرتك الأقربين
“And warn, [O Muhammad], your closest kindred.”
[Ash-Shu’araa: 214]
He (saw) climbed on the Mount Swafa and called out: “Oh Baniy Fihri! Enyi Baniy Adiyyi! And the Quraysh including Abu Lahab assembled, even those who could not attend they made sure that they sent their representatives to go and witnessed what was happening. Then Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke to them: “Will you believe me when I tell you that behind this hill there are enemies who have come to fight you and they are about to attack you? They said in response: “Yes, we have not witnessed lies from you! Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم continued and said: “Then I am a warner to you that there is a severe punishment”. Then Abu Lahab said: “May destruction be on you throughout this afternoon! Due to that you have assembled us here? It was revealed:
تبت يدا أبي لهب وتب
“May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he.”
[Al-Masad: 1]
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم made Makkah his focal area he never left the first step which continued for a period of three (3) years. Later on Allah (swt) commanded him to go public with his group (party) and its activities. It was revealed:
فاصدع بما تؤمر واعرض عن المشركين انا كفيناك المستهزئين الذين يجعلون مع الله الها آخر فسوف يعلمون
“Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists.”
[Al-Hijr: 94]
Meaning that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم went public with his group and its activities after the commandment of Allah (swt) and he never cared what was being said by the polytheists and he believed firmly that Allah (swt) would protect him against the evil of his enemies and those who used to make fun of him. By that statement from Allah (swt); Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions (ra) went public while in two rows and headed towards the Ka’bah in the following order:
First Row was led by Hamza bin Abdul Mutwalib (ra) and
Second Row was led by Umar ibn Khatwab (ra).
They arrived before the eyes of the polytheists and by their action of going public it commenced the second step which is the step of interaction (tafaul) with the Ummah openly.
It will continue in UQAB Issue 7…In Shaa Allah.