A brother asked: There are issues that many who go out in calling to Islam encounter, such as saying “Bismillah” aloud, the first adhān of Jumu’ah, and the phra

The approach is as explained earlier: focus on teaching people what is closest to the Sunnah and encourage them to follow it. Some matters, however, are flexible and open to different understandings, like whether “Prayer is better than sleep” is said in the first or second adhān. In such cases, the evidence is not definite, so let people continue with the practice they are used to in their town or village; If you go to a place where people say “Prayer is better than sleep” in the second adhān (after dawn), let them continue that way. If you go to a place where people say it in the first adhān (before dawn), let them continue that way. In these matters, there is room for difference, and it is fine for a person to follow the local practice that people are accustomed to. In matters where the evidence can be understood in more than one way, it is best to follow what the people in the town are used to, so that you do not confuse them. For example, regarding saying “Bismillah” aloud and the first adhān of Jumu’ah: according to the Sunnah and the evidence, the correct way is to say “Bismillah” quietly and to avoid the first adhān of Jumu’ah. In this case, the caller should teach people patiently and not let these issues become an obstacle or something that pushes people away from the Da’wah. At first, some may resist, thinking their prayer is invalid if they do not say “Bismillah” aloud. Here, the caller should teach them with patience, bring them reliable books and opinions of scholars they respect, and show them the evidence to help them understand. By Allāh’s will, if this is done properly, people will accept the evidence, love the Sunnah, and follow it. In general, Muslims naturally love what is good and follow it when they know it, but sometimes ignorance makes them hesitate. Once they understand, they will follow it willingly. Brother Ma'mūn (may Allāh have mercy on him), I remember one time he led us in the night prayer (Qiyām) according to what is mentioned in the ḥadīth of ‘A'ishah in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: eight units of prayer with one Tashahhud, sitting only once, without ending the prayer with Salām, then standing for the ninth unit, finishing with Tashahhud and Salām, and finally praying two units while sitting. When he finished, many people said: “We have never seen this prayer or known it since we were born!” He then brought a copy of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim close at hand, read the ḥadīth to them, and explained: “This is the prayer the Prophet ﷺ used to perform.” This comforted everyone’s hearts and they accepted the Sunnah, because no one would claim that the ḥadīth or the Sunnah is less important. The key point is that Muslims naturally follow clear evidence, so it is essential for anyone calling to Allāh to be well-informed about the proofs and guidance. Similarly, regarding saying “Bismillah” aloud, some people are very strict about it. Do not surprise them with this on the first day. Instead, teach them gradually: explain the ḥadīths of the Prophet ﷺ and the opinions of scholars they trust, showing that the Sunnah is to say “Bismillah” quietly. When presented like this, people will accept it and follow it, In-shā-Allāh. Even if people do not immediately accept it, do not let this issue become an obstacle to calling others to the oneness of Allāh and the Sunnah. Similarly, the adhān before the khatib goes up to the pulpit—the first Jumu’ah adhān—should be explained to people. Show them how it was done in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, Abū Bakr, and ‘Umar, and present the relevant ḥadīths and scholars’ opinions.