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 Effective Writing and Communication as Tools for Success

By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Islam is the only religion and the best way of life that teaches and assures success (both in this world and in the life Hereafter) to all those who believe and follow it.  It gives us Muslims many opportunities to attain success through righteousness and performance of virtuous Islamic deeds.  One of these is Da’wah -- calling and inviting people to the Way of Allah or Islam.  Allah the Almighty says in the Qur’an:

“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good (i.e., Islam), enjoining what is right (Islamic monotheism), and forbidding what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief, bid’ah, etc.): they are the ones who are the successful.” (3:104)

“And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it — such are the men who do right.  They shall have all that they wish for, with their Rabb (Only Cherisher and Sustainer).  Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have done.” (39:33-35)

The following Ahâdîth of the Prophet (s.a.w.) (1) should further inspire us Muslims to enjoin people to Islam:

Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger(s.a.w.) said, “He who called people to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.”  (Muslim4/6470)

Khuraym Bin Fatik narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “If anyone makes a contribution towards Allah’s path, seven hundred times as much will be recorded to his credit.”  (Tirmidhi 3826, 1343 and Nasa'i)

In order to fulfill our religious duty of inviting others to the Way of Allah, it is a must that we spend time learning the basic principles and arts of communication, both oral and written.   We must be able to communicate and express ourselves effectively to others (Muslims and non-Muslims alike) who need to know Islam.  We should see to it that we impart authentic knowledge of Islam to them properly and effectively in order to direct them to the Right Path.   We can do this by talking and/or writing to them. In both cases, we need ample preparations.  We need to organize our thoughts and ideas in order to succeed in conveying to them the Message of Islam and thus encourage them to accept our invitation.

If we call people to Islam through public lectures, as much as possible, we write and reproduce copies of our speech or lecture for distribution to the audience after our talk.  We must write some of the selected Âyât and Ahâdîth we quote in our lecture or speech. This will serve as a sort of re-enforcement and reminders to enlighten them of the words of Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.) .  Let us always remember that the best speech is the Holy Qur’an and the best guidance is the Prophet’s guidance:

Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said “The best speech is that embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. The most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is an error.”     (Muslim1885)

By producing proofs from the Qur’an and the Sunnah or authentic Ahâdîth, we become scholarly in our speeches and writings.  The following authentic Hâdîth shows how the Prophet (s.a.w.) encouraged the writing of speech for the benefit of the listeners:

Abû Hurairah narrated that when Allâh gave victory to His Messenger (s.a.w.) over the people of Makkah, Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.) stood up among the people. After glorifying Allâh, he said, “Allâh has prohibited fighting in Makkah and has given authority to His Messenger and the believers over it. So, fighting was illegal for anyone before me and was made legal for me for a part of a day, and it will not be legal for anyone after me.” Abû Shâh, a Yemenite, stood up and said, “O Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.)! 'Get it written for me.'” Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “Write it down for Abâ Shâh.” (The sub-narrator asked Al-Auzâ‘î), “What did he mean by saying, 'Get it written, O Allâh’s Messenger?'” He replied, “The speech which he had heard from Allâh’s Messenger.” (Bukhâri 3/613)

The educated (i.e., with ample knowledge of Islam) among us must learn how to write essays, articles, and book/booklets on Islam especially in the English language.  This will benefit many and various peoples from different countries in many generations.   As much as possible, we should write scholarly writings based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah.  Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) encouraged writing even when he was on his deathbed as narrated in the following  authentic Ahâdîth:

Al Bara narrated that there was revealed, “Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and those who strive and fight in the Cause of Allah (4:95).”  The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Call Zaid for me and let him bring the board, the inkpot and the scapula bone (or the scapula bone and the ink pot).” Then he said, “Write: 'Not equal are those Believers who sit....”  At that time, 'Amr Bin Um Maktum, the blind man was sitting behind the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! What is your order for me (as regards the above Verse) as I am a blind man?” So, instead of the above Verse, the following Verse was revealed: ‘Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame etc.) and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah.’ (4:95).”     (Bukhari 6/512)

‘Abdullah Bin Amr Al ‘As narrated: “I used to write everything which I heard from Allah’s Messenger! I intended (by it) to memorize it. The Quraysh prohibited me saying: ‘Do you write everything that you hear from him while Allah’s Messenger is a human being, he speaks in anger and pleasure?’ So I stopped writing, and mentioned it to Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.).  He signaled with his finger to his mouth and said: ‘Write by Him, in Whose hand my soul lies, only right comes out from it.’”  (Abu Dawud 3639)

Bin Abbas narrated that when Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) was on his deathbed and in the house there were some people among whom was 'Umar Bin Al-Khattab, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Come, let me write for you a statement after which you will not go astray.” 'Umar said, “The Prophet (s.a.w.) is seriously ill and you have the Qur’an; so the Book of Allah is enough for us.” The people present in the house differed and quarreled. Some said, “Go near so that the Prophet (s.a.w.) may write for you a statement after which you will not go astray”, while the others said as Umar said. When they caused a hue and cry before the Prophet (s.a.w.), Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “Go away!” Narrated 'Ubaidullah: “Bin 'Abbas used to say, ‘It was very unfortunate that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) was prevented from writing that statement for them because of their disagreement and noise.’”  (Bukhari 7/573 and 9/468)

For those who find it difficult to write books and or articles, a letter addressed to non-Muslims may suffice.  Writing letters to non-Muslims inviting them to Islam is a Sunnah, which we must do as illustrated to us by our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.) .  The following is an example of the letter, which he (s.a.w.) wrote to Heraclius, the ruler of Byzantine:

“In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad the Slave of Allah and His Messenger to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Allah’s Statement:)

'O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Allah and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Rabbs beside Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Allah).’ (3:64).’”  (Bukhari 1/6,  4/191 and 6/75)

We  must learn from the above example of how the Prophet (s.a.w.) invited a non-Muslim to Tawhîd.   Very clearly,  the Prophet (s.a.w.) tried to enlighten a non-Muslim to worship Allah as the Only God with a verse from the Qur’an.  In our Da’wah, we must always convey the Message of Tawhîd based on the Truth. When we invite people through writing, we should write about Islam with concrete proofs from the Qur’an and the authentic Ahâdîth or Sunnah.   We must adhere to these divine scriptures and refrain from any other sources such as the Bible that will just create confusion to people instead of giving guidance:

Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah narrated that when Umar came to Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.), he said: “We hear the narration from the Jews,  which sounds pleasing to us, so should we not write some of them?”  Whereupon he (s.a.w.) said: “Do you want to be baffled as the Jews and the Christians were baffled? I have brought to you (guidance) bright and pure and if Moses were alive now there would have been no alternative left for him but to follow me.”   (Tirmidhi 177)

Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah  narrated that Umar Bin al-Khattab brought to Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.)   a copy of the Torah and said: “Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.), this is a copy of the Torah.” He (Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.)  kept quiet and he (Umar) began to read it. The (color) of the face of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) underwent a change. Abu Bakr  said,  “Would that your mother mourns you, don’t you see the face of Allah’s Messenger?”  Umar saw the face of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) and said, “I seek refuge with Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Messenger (s.a.w.).   We are well pleased with Allah as Rabb, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad (s.a.w.) as Prophet.”  Whereupon Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said: “By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, even if Moses were to appear before you and you were to follow him, leaving me aside, you would certainly stray into error.  If (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophethood, he would have definitely followed me.”  (Tirmidhi 194,  Darimi and Mishkat 1/20)

From the above Ahâdîth, we know how the Prophet (s.a.w.)   wanted us to follow him, one who strictly followed and taught Allah’s Book.  For our guidance and success, we must follow the Prophet (s.a.w.)   in conveying Islam to others by taking inspirations from the following authentic Ahâdîth:

‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single Âyâh  (verse)...”    (Bukhari 4/667)

‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said: “Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people. Acquire the knowledge of Fara'id (laws of inheritance) and teach it to the people.  Learn the Qur’an and teach it to the people; for I am a person who has to depart this world.  The knowledge will be taken away and turmoil will appear to such an extent that two people will not agree in regard to a case of inheritance distribution and find none who would decide between them.”  (Tirmidhi 279)

The Prophet’s Sunnah in inviting people to Islam is through the Qur’an. This means, he was not only being truthful (being the True Messenger of Allah) but also scholarly in his approach.  Even in his letters to the non-Muslims, he usually quoted verses from the Qur’an.  He encouraged us Muslims to follow his Sunnah by telling us to convey his teachings even in one Ayah (Qur’anic verse).  Allah the Almighty tells us how His Messenger (s.a.w.) invited people with certain knowledge (i.e., Qur’an and the Sunnah):

“Say: ‘This is my Way; I do invite unto Allah with a certain knowledge. And whoever follows me (must also invite others to the Oneness of Allah with sure knowledge). Glory to Allah! And I am not of the polytheists.’”  (12: 108)

The following Ahâdîth must further inspire us to invite others to the Way of Allah based on the authentic teachings of Islam, the Qur’an and the Sunnah:

“You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind.  You enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah...”   (3:110)

“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those who bow in Islam?’”  (41:33)

In writing our speeches and articles or books, if  possible, we must try to be scholarly in our style and approach.  As Muslims, we can do this by learning more about the Qur’an and the Sunnah and express ourselves with proofs based on said authentic Revealed Sources.  If we do not have the capability to do this, then, it is imperative for us to encourage our children and other Muslim youths (who have the potentials) to become scholars in Islam.  By becoming among the Muslim scholars, we become superior over others, especially over the non-Muslims:

Al Hasan Al Basri  narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “The superiority of a scholar, who observes the prescribed prayer and then sits down to teach people goodness, over the worshipper, who observes fast during the day and worships during the night, is like my superiority over the lowest in rank amongst you.”    (Tirmidhi 250)  

In brief, to be scholars, we must have at least ample knowledge of Islam. We must be able to effectively convey it to others according to its authentic Revealed Sources. We must know the art of writing and communication as they are essential tools for our success in conveying the Message of Islam.  To be able to convey Islam, worldwide, we must try to know, if not attempt to excel, in the English language and communication – i.e.,   the grammar, composition and writing style.  For this reason, the Wisdom Enrichment Foundation (WEFOUND) includes English grammar, composition and writing style in its WISDOM International Islamic Learning Program learning modules.  We, the WEFOUND organizers, intend to learn more of these important subjects to improve our quality of works for the pleasure of Allah.  We hope that this particular module will also benefit all  the participants of this Learning Program.  

Let us pray to Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful to grant us more knowledge of Islam and be able to convey or share it to others effectively through knowledge of effective writing and communication.  May there be more Muslim scholars in this generation and the coming generations who will revive the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and make Allah’s Law prevail over all man-made laws.  Ameen.  

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1 (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, meaning: peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

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