Page 66 - Communication and Argument in the Qur'an

64 COMMUNICATION AND ARGUMENT IN THE QUR’AN

3. Introducing religion to a society’s leaders
and ruling circle
Allah’s prophets and messengers are especially con-
cerned to present religion to the society’s leaders and the
ruling circle, because such people have power and author-
ity. Therefore, opening a dialogue with these people is an
important way of introducing religion to them.

4. Preparing to introduce religion

The Qur’an tells us that those who desire to further the
Way of Allah must first prepare themselves:
If they had really desired to go out (to fight), they would
have made proper preparations for it. But Allah was
averse to their setting out, so He held them back and
they were told: “Stay behind with those who stay
behind.” (Surat at-Tawba: 46)
The believers’ most important work today is dissemi-
nating information about religion. However, before they
can do this successfully, they need to prepare themselves.
There are two aspects to this: (1) preparing for written
communication. This involves deciding which books and
newspapers to use, establishing a plan of action to make
the best use of special written information, and fundraising
and (2) educating and preparing themselves, both morally
and intellectually, to communicate Allah’s religion.

5. Developing expertise in presenting religion
Believers must also divide the work into suitable portions: