Dakwah with Hikmah, not with Hukum

Islam is not about Hukum, Islam is about Love and Compassion, Unity and Coherence. The ummah of today is often too quick to judge or label others in every instances.

A lesson can be learnt from the story of Prophets Musa (pbuh) and Harun (pbuh). Prophet Harun was entrusted by Prophet Musa to guide the Israelites while he went to Mount Sinai to receive revelations from Allah SWT.


Unfortunately a large number of the Israelites went back to their pagan practices worshiping a golden calf instead of Allah SWT.

When Prophet Harun reminded them of the teachings of Prophet Musa, his reminders fell to deaf ears. Prophet Harun chose to tolerate the disbelievers while awaiting the return of Prophet Musa.

Prophet Musa was justifiably angry looking at the state of his people upon his return. He asked Prophet Harun, “ What held you back when you saw them going astray? Why did you not fight this corruption?”

In his reply Prophet Harun said,”O son of my mother! Seize me not by my beard, nor by my head! Verily, I fear lest you should say ‘You have caused a division among the children of Israel, and you have not respected my word!”

(refer the above story to Surah Taha ayat 77 – 94)

Why did Prophet Harun allow the pagan practices to continue instead of punishing the disbelievers or wage war against them? At that point of time, Prophet Harun was unsure of which was the correct course to choose.

Therefore, he deliberately waited for Prophet Musa’s return so that he (Prophet Musa) was able to witness the situation for himself and decide on further course of actions.

Prophet Harun was trying to avoid being accused of causing a rift within the Israelites. This intention was also to avoid any misunderstandings between himself and Prophet Musa.

This is a lesson to be learn for all Muslim, if we are unsure of something or are unable to decide on a better course that will benefits all, always seek advice from an 'expert of the field' or higher authorities.

(reference: Ilmu Tarjih - http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.my/2014/12/the-default-is-halal.html)

Unfortunately, today we are too busy in making judgments and assumptions of others. We should be clear that reminders and advice are different from labeling and making judgement on others.

We should remember that Allah SWT will not question us on what others did or didn’t do or what they said or didn’t say. Instead the burden will be on us to account for what we did or didn’t do as well as what we said and didn’t say.



Wallahu'alam