How to touch hearts

8-11-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

Please tell me how to deliver a heart-touching sermon. May Allaah reward you well.

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

 

One of the basic requirements of effective communication is its suitability for the recipients. You must take into consideration their culture, readiness, intelligence and understanding. People differ greatly in such aspects, so every person should be addressed in accordance with his level and awareness.

You must use reliable reference books and try to extract suitable material for your target group, as that would be more beneficial. Please note that it is absolutely crucial to seek the advice of scholars to verify and validate your selections. Correcting your intention and making it sincere for the sake of Allaah The Exalted is also required. Allaah Says (what means): {Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction}[Quran 16:125]

Guidance and advice that is based on the combination of knowledge and sincerity will necessarily be effective and beneficial, especially if the relevance and suitability for the audience is taken into consideration, as previously explained.

While all Muslims are required to be pious, this is required even more of the one who calls people to Allaah. He must fully practice what he preaches in all aspects of his life. Otherwise, the contradiction will be detrimentally obvious. It is said that the effect of a person’s advice on the hearts of others is exactly the same as its effect on his very own heart.

Hopefully, you now realize that affecting and benefiting others is a gift from Allaah The Almighty that He grants to His righteous servants who practice what they say and know.

Allaah Knows best.