In this post, I address mainly Muslim grownups. From what I’ve seen, many parents act as destructive agents to their faith and their nations by raising their children in an unhealthy way. My main objective here is to urge them to put more effort into matters of great importance, which they usually neglect.

Preaching Islam is directly connected to the conditions of the Muslim communities. This is why it’s extremely important to tackle some points that Muslims should consider while bringing up their children. Preparing a preacher starts ever since his or her childhood. The ethics and morals upon which our children are raised form the foundation of preaching. Pondering over the history of the prophet and his companions, some features could be deduced for perfect preaching. The following is a brief summary of the most important traits which children should be raised upon.

Children should be raised on truthfulness, honesty and sincerity. Those traits are the foundation of fair preaching without which any lofty education won’t matter. Those traits could only be implanted in kids through example and real practice. Ever since perception, our kids start gaining many of the traits that form their characters when they grow up. Narrating stories of pious people is important, it adds a lot to children’s moral hoard, but its effect is nullified if it was not accompanied by true examples which they see with their own eyes every day. There is nothing stronger in effect than what you see with your eyes. Any noble trait you want to implant in your kids should be treated in a similar manner.

Children should be trained on using reason and logic ever since their early teenage years. There is nothing more useful for any person than attaining the ability to think about everything in a proper logical manner, “Wisdom is the long-sought goal of believers.” Reason is something which we are born with, but preserving it, and enriching it with training and education is really one tough task that needs a lot of perseverance from the mentors.

Children should be accustomed to reading on daily basis ever since their perception. Parents must read for their children a lot; they must hold a family gathering every day for at least one hour, and read for their kids books which interest their age, and are meanwhile useful. Allowing the children to choose the books that interest them must also be allowed.

Children should be allowed to incline towards Islam through their own choice. Islam should fill their hearts based on their own convictions. We should urge our kids to learn about all religions, and we should discuss all matters openly with them. This means that parents must learn about their religion and other religions as well if they want to protect their children, but they should not compel their children to embrace their own convictions. Allah forbids us from doing so in the verse which says: “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” [The Qur’an (2:256)]. Remember that one of Prophet Noah’s sons died refusing the faith of his father. If compelling our children to embrace our religions was something lawful, Prophet Noah P.B.U.H. would have been the first to do it. By logic, how can anyone be honest, sincere and truthful if he is forced to embrace an idea which he doesn’t believe in?! Muslims must understand why they believe in Allah—the Creator of the universe and all that exists, and why they believe in Muhammad—the Creator’s servant and messenger—in order to act according to the Islamic injunctions in the proper manner.

In my opinion, the previous points constitute 75% of preaching Islam. Their existence forms the fortress upon which any future preaching depends. Any Muslim characterized by the above-mentioned traits is already a preacher through his or her attitude without any need to utter a word about Islam.

Fair verbal preaching by presenters needs knowledgeable well versed Muslims who have full understanding of the prophet’s history, the sequence of events in relation to the Qur’anic verses, and the prophetic traditions in relation to their context. Knowing history is about incidents and dates, but understanding it is about perceiving the lessons and wisdom from every incident.

Fair verbal preaching requires good knowledge of the Qur’an, its narratives, its injunctions and their application from the Sunnah; and finally, the wisdom behind the rational injunctions that are not related to rituals.

To have full knowledge and understanding of the prophet’s history is as if you are living with him all the time. To have the Qur’anic verses living in your mind and conscience is as if you are speaking with Allah all the time. Only those who are most pious can reach this level. Always remember that piety is the key to everything, and pondering over the Qur’an is the main source for having a good grasp of such a key.

Fair preaching needs patience and perseverance in the face of tribulations, insults, and hatred. Allah says in the Qur’an: “You shall be inflicted in your possessions and in yourselves, and you shall hear from those who received the scriptures before you and the polytheists much abuse. If you be patient and pious, then verily (you shall succeed in a matter) that requires a strong will.” [The Qur’an (3:186)].

Preachers are liberators and not leaders. Any preacher who seeks leadership either has no understanding of Islam or is a big liar. No prophet or messenger scored any personal gains or worldly life benefits from his call and strife; this is the sign of truthfulness

Fair verbal preaching is characterized by simplicity. Take a lesson from the fact that the Qur’an was revealed in 23 years to the best Muslim generation ever. How be it with the current generations. Prophet Muhammad himself said, “Facilitate all matters for people and don’t complicate them.” In simple words, a Preacher should not think of the number of sermons and the different issues he or she tackles in relation to time, but should think of the quality of those sermons and their effectiveness.

The preacher’s mission ends when he succeeds in connecting the hearts and minds of his or her listeners with the Creator, and pointing for them towards the righteous path. Walking the path is not the preacher’s duty unless his help was sought.

A Preacher should never waive any of the Islamic injunctions seeking to satisfy his or her listeners, or seeking to beautify Islam in their eyes. Allah says in the Qur’an: “O prophet, be pious to your Lord and do not follow the deniers and the hypocrites, verily Allah is ever Omniscient and All-Wise. Follow that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, verily Allah is Ever-Acquainted with what you do.” [The Qur’an (33:1-2)]. This order was given by the High Commander (i.e. Allah) to the leader of His army (i.e. Prophet Muhammad), but the soldiers are the ones intended, and Muslims are those soldiers.

In my opinion, the previous points constitute the remaining 25% of preaching Islam. Their existence forms the main pillar upon which fair preaching is built. Any Muslim who has the ability to maintain these traits alongside the previous 75% is a professional preacher.

A professional preacher must have a respectable experience in any field of work. He must earn his living from his own handiwork. All prophets worked for a living, none of them lived as a pauper.

A professional preacher must volunteer to contribute in all good and beneficent activities he encounters or is invited to. He should give aid to those who are trying to set things right and repair the community and this earth on which we are living. Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. contributed in the “Oath of ethics” before Islam when he was still 20 years old, and he said, “If I were invited to it by the polytheists after Islam, I would have attended.”

A professional preacher must have time with his Lord’s words every day, a time dedicated for the remembrance of Allah and pondering over His words. This recharges his faith with positive energy that enables him to carry out his mission.

A professional preacher must prepare very well his speech or sermon. He must repeat it out loud to himself several times as if he is standing in front of his audience and conversing with them. He must think of the possible questions that could be asked regarding each and every point he shall tackle, and prepare the proper answer. Good intentions are never enough, good planning is the key to success. Prophet Muhammad’s history, and that of his companions, is full of examples on this.

Seeking help from honest expert non-Muslims in worldly life matters which Muslims are unfamiliar with is acceptable. We were dispersed into different nations and tribes so that we may get to know one another and exchange our experiences. Prophet Muhammad entrusted ‘Abdullah Ibn ’Uraiqet to guide him when he was immigrating from Makkah to Madinah.

A professional preacher must never spread hatred against anyone. On the contrary, he must always try to reconcile between all people and spare lives. Prophet Muhammad invoked Allah to bring forth righteous progeny from those who hurt him and his companions. He even accepted to sign a peace treaty with those who drove the Muslims out from their lands and occupied their homes; Allah called this treaty a huge triumph in the Qur’an.

A true preacher earns the love and respect of people even from other faiths.

The previous were just general tips that devoted preachers should consider when preaching Islam. Their consideration brings up great preachers, women and men.

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Written By: Ehab Shawky