teaching others are both done with softness, and harshness is found with fighting. The rank of a preacher requires him to remove fighting and disunity. Causing problems and increasing conflicts do not befit a preacher. Therefore, if the preacher himself displays harshness, then he is not a preacher anymore, in fact, he is in need of another to convey him the call to righteousness. In conclusion, whoever invites towards goodness should understand his rank, and spread the call to righteousness with ‘مَوْعِظۂِ حَسَنَہ’, i.e. with politeness.

Imam Nasafi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states: ‘The meaning of ‘مَوْعِظۂِ حَسَنَہ’ is: ‘to join admonishment and glad tidings.’ (Tafseer Madarik, Parah 14, Surah An-Nahl, under the Verse 125)

The meaning of admonishment is to make one feel fear, and the meaning of glad tidings is to convey good news. Collectively, this means that a preacher should speak of the fear of Allah Almighty, and punishments of sins. Also, he should make people feel fear of Allah’s wrath, His seizure and the punishment of the grave and Hellfire. However, at the same time, he must also tell them of the endless mercy of Allah Almighty and the excellences of good deeds. If the preacher speaks only of punishment, then people will lose hope in the mercy of Allah Almighty, and if he speaks only of mercy, then people will become unafraid in committing sins.

Some commentators of the Holy Quran state: ‘The meaning of ‘مَوْعِظۂِ حَسَنَہ’ is: ‘to speak simply, give easy examples to understand and explain matters through narrating events.’

This is a complete style in which invitation towards righteousness should be given, which has its own prerequisites. A preacher should fulfil these prerequisites and invite towards goodness in accordance with them. All of that which has been mentioned is actually a shortened explanation of how to invite towards goodness. If you wish to go further into its details, then please read the book of Shaykh-e-Tareeqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ, entitled ‘Call to Righteousness’.