Ml Ilyas Kandhlawi رحمة الله عليه emphasized when calling people to Allah, one should be conscious of the following three:
(1) ‘Who’—who this person is?
(2) ‘When’—is this the right time or moment?
(3) ‘What’—what will one speak about?
Observing this will ensure excellence in inviting others to Allah.
We are unaware of these three principles; sometimes, even if we know, we don’t act on them. Whatever comes to mind, we say it. Whatever we desire, we express freely, speaking out to whomever and however we wish.
This will only be corrected through making an effort and asking Allah for guidance.
(1) Who:
Ml Yusuf Kandhlawi رحمة الله عليه communicated in a manner suited to the individual. I observed him engaging with people from all walks of life. He would speak to a businessman in the manner suited for a businessman. He would talk to a farmer in the way a farmer should be addressed. He would engage with a politician according to how a politician ought to be spoken to. He would interact with a scholar in religion as a scholar deserves to be approached.
(2) When:
The Prophet
, with the help of Ali (rad), invited the Quraysh for dinner, during which he invited them to Islam.
(Ahmad, Ibn Kathir)
(3) What:
Ml Ilyas Kandhlawi رحمة الله عليه once sent a scholar to address a gathering. On his return, he inquired on what was said. On hearing, he said, ‘In that gathering, mentioning that verse was not suitable; instead, you should have mentioned this verse from the Quran.’
The scholar humbly replied, “I haven’t learned this effort. I am here to learn from you. I thought I could have just spoken on any verse from the Quran.”
Then Ml Ilyas رحمة الله عليه said, “No, Allah revealed the Quran to Prophet
with great wisdom, i.e. it was not revealed all at once but in stages. The verses were revealed for a particular occasion or circumstance. (Asbab al-nuzul)
Therefore, Allah in the Quran did not reveal any verse or Surah that was out of place, that people could not understand, or that was untimely and inappropriate. It was not like that.”
We observed when it was decided that Ml Umar Palanpuri رحمة الله عليه would speak at this gathering. Ml Inamul Hasan رحمة الله عليه would say to Ml Umar رحمة الله عليه, “In this gathering, speak on these subjects.” Ml Umar رحمة الله عليه would speak and expand on them in his speech.
Therefore, in our discussions and speeches, we should be deliberate and consult (mashwara) with others about what we should speak on during an occasion or gathering.
