Kiai Zakky Mubarak: Preaching bust be short and interesting

Jakarta, NU Online

Chairman of the Advisory Board (Rais Syuriyah) of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), KH Zakky Mubarak explained three effective da'wah (preaching) strategies, namely short, concise, and interesting.

 

"No need to beat around the bush. I take the example of people who start beating around the bush, 'Dear gentlemen, brothers and sisters, let's perform Friday prayers in congregation'. Sorry, that sentence is too long. Is there a Friday prayer alone? Right, there isn't any," said Kiai Zakky, Thursday (7/10/2021).

 

To achieve an effective communication in preaching, he said, the Qur'anic method was a communication concept that must be applied. First, qaulan layyina (soft words). “Layyina means gentle. This is important, because the presence of someone in a religious gathering is to gain knowledge and inner calm, not anxiety,” he explained.

 

Second, Kiai Zakky continued, qaulan karima. Noble words spoken to others in kind and polite words.

 

“You must use noble words, not those that hurt others, cause slander, or cause enmity. We avoid all this," the Cirebon-born cleric (kiai) said.

 

Third, qaulan sadidan (true words), the statement that does not contain lies.

 

“So, we need to use sentences that are honest, straight, and not too much improvisation. In the end, he lost his understanding. It must be a straight and honest sentence," Kiai Zakky explained.

 

Fourth, qaulan balighan (words that seep into the soul). This concept becomes important for preachers because something that is conveyed from the heart will penetrate to the heart.

 

“I feel myself, I get a lot of 'qaulan baligha' from my clerics. From then until now, I have still remembered. In fact, I have still remembered the clerics' face," Kiai Zakky said.

 

Fifth, qaulan ma'rufa (kind words). According to Kiai Zaki, this is an appropriate sentence in the choice of words. In addition, he also gave an example of how the takbiran sentence is a noble one. However, if it is said not in the context of the right time, then it is not appropriate to say it.

 

"This is what we must develop in da'wah among the upper middle class. I repeat, short, concise, (and) interesting (preaching). Take effective and efficient communication using the Qur'anic method," Kiai Zakky concluded.

 

Contributor: Nuriel Shiami Indiraphasa

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq