Introspection is a major source of purification known as Tazkiya. Introspection awakens the human mind, it jolts the human personality, and gives the individual the incentive to reform. Introspection in this way leads one to intellectual and spiritual development.
Let us assume that you were provoked and reacted negatively to a hurting remark from someone. Later you became repentant and engaged in introspection about your reaction. Introspection led you to realize that your behaviour would result in making you a negative personality. Such a result would have a deleterious effect in the life after death. In fact it would render one incapable of entering Paradise.
I will narrate another incident which will explain dawah, or conveying God's message to people. The Prophet stayed in Makkah for 13 years after prophethood. In those days, a person once came from outside Makkah. His name was Dhimad. He belonged to the tribe of Azd Shanwah. Dhimad came to know about the Prophet's claim to prophethood. He asked the Prophet about his message. The Prophet recited to him some passages from the Quran. Do you know what happened afterwards? Dhimad requested the Prophet to repeat his words. Copy Arabic text (Sahih Muslim 868)
After hearing these words, I have fallen in deep thought. After hearing these words, I have fallen in deep thought. He said it appears I have reached the ocean's depth. This incident tells us the criterion for dawah. Dawah is one that enters a person's heart, changes his mind and thinking. It creates introspection in a person. The purpose of dawah is not to receive applause. Someone told me that a certain person delivers very good speeches.
I asked what happens during his speeches?
He replied that Muslims applaud and clap after listening to him.
I replied that when the Prophet used to speak, Muslims listening to him would never clap.
He agreed with me.
The right model is the one set by the Prophet. If you do something that wasn’t found in the Prophet's time, then that's an innovation, which is a deviation. People never clapped after listening to the Prophet. Today if people clap after listening to a speech then that speech is not Islamic.
What is an Islamic speech?
An Islamic speech is one which reminds you of God, hell and heaven, higher realities of life, pre-death and post-death periods and the creation plan of God. This will bring in introspection. A person will begin to think about himself. He will realize that if I die today, I will not return. I will have to go to an eternal world. He will become extremely cautious and begin to think deeply.
When the Prophet said: Copy arabic text (Sahih al-Bukhari 1417) Save yourself from the Fire, even if it be by giving a piece of date.
People will never clap at this. There's nothing to clap about this. If there is applause after a speech, then it's not an Islamic speech. That speech only feeds Muslims' hidden pride. Such speeches feed the feelings of being superior to other communities. This is why, they are received by applause. This is a communal phenomenon. It is not an Islamic phenomenon.
