Fatwa Activism or Educational Activism

in the language of qawl baligh—that is, language and reasoning that penetrate the listener’s heart, to the point that he acknowledges its truth. This method of counsel and reminder may, in today’s terminology, be called educational activism. That is, reforming people through education and training and striving to change their mindset. It would be correct to say that Islam’s principle regarding social reform is based on educational activism, not on fatwa activism. In this regard, a guiding example is found in Sahih alBukhari. Aisha relates that in the early period of Islam, the Quranic verses that were revealed spoke mainly about Paradise and Hell. This was done so that a sense of receptivity could develop in people’s hearts toward Islam and so that psychological readiness might be created within them. When this readiness had taken shape, the Quran then revealed commands such as abandoning adultery and giving up intoxicants. Had such commands been revealed at the very beginning, people would not have accepted them. Instead, they would have resisted and refused to change their habitual ways. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 4993) This shows that the work of general reform is not accomplished by issuing fatwas or commands. Rather, the first step is to cultivate within people the capacity for acceptance. Only after that are commands given.