An Analysis of Da wat Theory

The aim of this research is to identify and formulate the major issues dealt with by Islamic scholars of da’wat (invitation, call). These are categorized in three linguistic groups, namely, Farsi, Arabic, and English and are analyzed in two separate chapters: Muslim and non-Muslim scholars. The results are then classified into six conceptual models: communication, behavior and discourse, power, dialog, compulsion and reluctance, and organization. The communication model concerns the process of da’wat starting from the sender and proceeding to the receiver. Taking notice of expressive and non-expressive methods, and also the combination of knowledge and practice makes a major part of da’wat theories. The issue of power becomes meaningful by differentiating between the practices of calling to good deeds and preventing vices on the one hand and da’wat on the other. Dialog is a concept that gains its importance from our interpretation of other concepts like propagation (of ideas) and da’wat. The relation between jihad and da’wat has prompted most reflection upon the latter. Meanwhile, lacking in a special establishment for da’wat in the history of Islam has been a big question for many orientalists.