Methods of Da'wah Used by the Prophet Muhammad

1Why this topic matters

In about 23 years, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went from being a lone believer in Mecca to leading a community that included most of Arabia. Muslims study his methods of da'wah because they believe he is the best example of how to invite people to God. Many of his methods, such as patience, dialogue and forgiveness, are useful to anyone who wants to persuade others peacefully.

21. Good character before the message

Even before he became a prophet, Muhammad was known in Mecca as al-Amin, "the trustworthy". People trusted him with their valuables. The Qur'an says of him: "And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature." (Qur'an 68:4), meaning his character was great. His honesty prepared people to listen.

32. Private invitation (about three years)

The first revelation came in 610, in the cave of Hira near Mecca: "Read: In the name of thy Lord who createth" (Qur'an 96:1). For about three years the Prophet invited people privately: his wife Khadijah, the first believer; his young cousin Ali; his friend Abu Bakr; and Zayd ibn Harithah, who lived in his household. He began with those who knew him best.

43. Public invitation

Then came the command to preach openly: "O thou enveloped in thy cloak, Arise and warn!" (Qur'an 74:1–2). The Prophet called the clans of Mecca together, according to tradition from the hill of Safa, and invited them to worship one God.

54. Patience under persecution, and migration

Many leaders of Mecca opposed him, and poorer Muslims were beaten. The Prophet:

• sent some Muslims to safety in Christian Abyssinia (about 615);
• travelled to the town of Ta'if (about 619) to invite its people; they rejected him and drove him out with stones, but, according to tradition, he prayed for them instead of cursing them;
• finally migrated with his followers to Yathrib, later called Medina, in 622. This migration is the Hijra, and the Islamic calendar counts its years from it.

65. Teaching, community and consultation

Before the Hijra he sent a teacher, Mus'ab ibn Umayr, to teach the Qur'an in Yathrib. In Medina he built a mosque that was a centre for prayer, learning and meetings; joined the migrants from Mecca and the local believers as brothers; and agreed a charter with the other communities of the city, including Jewish tribes. He consulted his companions, as the Qur'an commanded: "consult with them upon the conduct of affairs" (Qur'an 3:159).

76. Treaties and letters

In 628 he agreed the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a truce with Mecca. Some companions thought its terms unfair, but peace allowed people to meet Muslims freely, and many joined Islam. After the treaty he sent letters to rulers, including the Byzantine emperor, the king of Persia, the ruler of Egypt and the Negus of Abyssinia, inviting them to Islam.

87. Forgiveness

In 630 the Prophet entered Mecca almost without fighting and declared a general pardon for the people who had persecuted him for years. This forgiveness won many hearts. It follows the Qur'an's teaching: "Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend." (Qur'an 41:34)

Worked example

Question: Explain how two methods used by the Prophet can guide Muslims in Rwanda today. (4 marks)

Model answer: Good character: the Prophet was trusted as al-Amin before he preached, so a Rwandan Muslim trader who is honest in business is already inviting people to Islam by example (2 marks). Letters to rulers: the Prophet used the best communication of his day; today Muslims can use radio, social media and respectful public talks to explain Islam and correct false ideas (2 marks).

Practice