The Problem of Engineering Thinking in Da'wah Work

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The Problem of Engineering Thinking in Da’wah Work

This article summarizes a lecture by Dr. Ahmad Abd al-Mun’im on what it calls “engineering thinking” in da’wah: a mentality shaped by precision, systemization, and technical structure, useful in many scientific fields but potentially distorting when transferred uncritically into the work of religious guidance.

The lecture argues that such a mindset often treats the human being as if he were a measurable and controllable unit, neglecting the spiritual, emotional, and relational dimensions that lie at the core of da’wah. It also tends to fragment the Islamic sciences into isolated units, separating fiqh from creed, ethics, and spiritual formation, and thereby weakening the integrated vision of Islam as a coherent whole.

Another problem is the tendency to rely on ready-made models and institutional templates. While institutions can improve efficiency, they may also suppress individual judgment, moral imagination, and the ability to respond to varied human circumstances. In this mode, da’wah risks becoming a technical process aimed at visible outputs rather than a comprehensive effort to transform hearts, minds, and societies.

The article therefore calls for a more integrated approach rooted in the wholeness of revelation. It recommends restoring the spiritual dimension, reconnecting the branches of Islamic knowledge, and training callers to God to see human beings in their full moral and existential complexity rather than through mechanical frameworks alone.

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