• We may ask ourself questions like: In what form should Muslims practice da'wah? And what should the guiding principles of the invitation to Islam be along with its propagation? We will look into this questions and discuss under da'wah methodology.
• According to dictionaries, method means a particular way of doing something. In this context we will take wider meaning, including method, means, plan, etc., anything connected with the systematic propagation of the da'wah.
      Three fundamental concepts should be enough to help us formulate most of the general principles of methodology applying in any situation and condition. These three fundamental concepts are as follows.

  The Invitaion With Wisdom.

  • The Qur'an is quite clear that the invitation to Islam should be with wisdom ( hikmah )
    Allah says:

  

  "Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and
  He is the Best Aware of those who are guided."( Qur'an 16:125 )

This instruction is very important for Islamic misssionaries who should always keep it in mind. "Wisdom" by definition is a right thing which should be put at the right moment at the right place. Wisdom demands that one should keep in view mental calibre, capability, and circumstances of the addressee and convey the message in accordance with the requirements of the occasion.
    Thus, the Islamic missionary in his invitation to others is aware of never becoming bitter, harsh, jeering and so on. His invitation, his words, his explanation and his manners must always be attractive, never boring or tiring.. He will stop himself from conveying the message at the moment he realizes that the addressees are losing interest in his speech.
In short he will never forget the use of wisdom in the course of his work of da'wah.

    Certainly, the Islamic missionary is to try and try again and never give up so that God may guide addressees to the truth. But if they are still not convinced, the missionary is to leave it to God. The Prophet himself allowed those Christians who were not convinced by his own presentation of Islam to keep their faith. Islam puts its trust in man's rational power to chooose between  true and false. Allah says:

"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower."
(Qur'an 2:256 )

Islamic da'wah is therefore, and invitation to think, to debate and argue. Islamic da'wah operates only under these principles. The principles that Islamic da'wah is non-compulsion is based upon many verses in the Qur'an. Thus the Islamic missionary must do the work without exercising any pressure or coercion because da'wah is the invitation to the ideas of peace, non-aggression, respect of the dignity of a man and his basic rights. Islam does not ask its followers to fight opponents of da'wah just because they reject Islam. The Islamic missionaries are not supposed to fight to conquer, expand, oppress and exploit. They must not discriminate against any group of people. They must be tolerant and avoid anger or hate even towards those who reject Islam.

Allah says:

"Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided." ( Qur'an 16:125 )

Abu al-A'la Maududi gives an explanation of the words "goodly councel" in this verce making two points:
    First, one should adopt a comprehensive method to convince the addressee which includes: arguments and appeal to his/her feelings; condemnation of evils and deviations as well as repugnance to all that lies embedded in the human nature, warning of the consequences of evil; soundness of argument, excellence of guidance and righteous deed.
    Secondly, admonition should be administered in such a manner as to show sincere concern for the welfare of the addressee.
    Thus Islamic missionaries have been enjoined to say only the best things even in their discussion with unbeleivers and other opponents of their faith. They should neither use harsh words nor make exaggerated statements. They should be soft in their conversation and say only what is true and dignified in spite of the provocation behaviour of their opponents. Allah says:

"And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitân (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitân (Satan) is to man a plain enemy."
( Qur'an 17:53 )

In another verse of the Qur'an Allah says:

"And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allâh."
( Qur'an 20:44 )
In this verse Allah gives the instruction to Islamic missionaries to present Islamic teachings in the best way even to the last moment in a sober way, because there are two ways of bringing a man to the right path. They are to convince him by persuasion and explanation and by warning him of the consequences attendent upon deviation.
    The Islamic missionary should be kind and compassionate, just and fair to everyone, irrespective of one's faith, race, color or social status, and in all situations. They should convey their message in a polite and effective manner. It is extremely harmful to explain ancillary and derivative manners. This is the principle of invitation in Islam.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guide" (Qur'an Nahl 26:125)
    Ibn Khathir explains this verse by saying: "When there are those who need to be dealt with and argued with, it should be done in the best manner of gentleness, kindness and good speech". The verse emphasize the advantages of gentleness and kindness in gaining supporters and consequently in advancing da'wah.
    The one who discusses things with other people in the best manner, does not resort to accusations, crooked arguments, taunts, nor makes fun of the opponent in order to defeat him and to win applause for his own superiority in arguments. On the contrary, he will try to convince the others in a simple and humble way, and when he feels that the person has come down to crooked arguments, he will leave him alone.