Da’i and Mad’u

Da’i and Mad’u

1988 11 November 4 Da’i and Mad’u (248) Michael Faraday and Lawrence Bragg, both of whom delivered lectures at the London’s Royal Institute, were two of the most successful speakers of modern times.

What is the secret of a successful lecture? We give below the words of wisdom on this subject which we have gleaned from the respective memoirs of Faraday and Bragg.

“I am sorry to say that the generality of mankind cannot accompany us one short hour, unless the path is strewn with flowers.”

“The essential feature for success of the lecture is the emotional contact between the lecturer and the students.”

What Faraday and Bragg have written about becoming a successful lecturer applies with even greater pertinence to becoming a successful da’i,* or caller to the path of God.

A good relationship between da’i and mad’u (congregation) is essential, but it cannot be properly established unless the delicacy of its nature is first given due recognition. If the mad’u is to be carried along with the da’i the path shall have, first of all, to be “strewn with flowers”. The da’i cannot expect his mad’u to stay by his side if he places thorns and stones in the way. Dry sermons attract no hearers, so that if a speaker is to be really effective, he should not only compel the attention of his hearers by the engaging quality of his discourse, but must establish a strong emotional rapport with them at the very outset.

*da’i: The one who calls, mad’u: The one invited.