Fethullah Gulen highlights the importance of compassionate religious teaching, advocating the Prophetic method's wisdom, patience, and empathy. Gradualism, kindness, and personalized guidance foster love for faith.

Fethullah Gulen emphasizes the crucial role of compassionate and gentle religious teaching, pointing out how societal misconceptions, methodological errors, and stylistic missteps create significant barriers between the Divine and its followers. He argues that overcoming these entrenched attitudes and practices is challenging but essential for fostering a more compassionate and understanding approach to religious education and spiritual guidance.

Gulen's remarks spotlight the discord between harsh disciplinary methods and the core religious teachings of compassion and mercy, urging a reevaluation of how religious values are taught and lived within communities. He champions the Prophetic method as central to conveying the teachings of Islam, highlighting patience, understanding, and kindness as fundamental to effective religious guidance.

By focusing on the Prophetic method's emphasis on compassion, gradualism, and impactful mentoring and preaching styles that align with Islam's core teachings, Gulen advocates for a personalized approach, akin to the medical treatment for each patient, to religious guidance. He argues for adapting the message to meet individual needs and temperaments.

He captures the delicate balance necessary in religious guidance, pointing out the potential consequences of a harsh approach. He stresses the importance of nurturing and understanding in religious education, indicating that our methods can lead to either positive or negative outcomes.

Thus, Gulen underscores “the Prophetic method's significance in making religion beloved” by emphasizing the necessity of an approach in religious guidance and preaching that is empathetic, patient, and wise, reinforcing the need to foster a positive, enlightening environment for spiritual growth and understanding.

The Prophetic method of making religion beloved is an exemplary model of compassion, wisdom, and patience, meticulously designed to gently guide individuals towards the light of faith. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) employed a profoundly empathetic and understanding approach, grounded in the principles of love, kindness, and inclusivity, to convey the essence of Islam. His method was not to overwhelm or alienate but to invite, enlighten, and inspire through personal example and sincere engagement:

• Gradual Introduction and Patience: Understanding the nature of individuals and society, the Prophet introduced religious teachings gradually, giving his followers time to absorb, understand, and integrate each lesson into their lives. This incremental revelation over twenty-three years allowed for a deep-rooted faith that was built on conviction rather than compulsion.
• Emphasizing Mercy over Wrath: The Prophet consistently emphasized Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and love over His wrath. He taught his followers to hope for Allah's mercy while being mindful of His guidelines, thus fostering a balanced and hopeful outlook towards spirituality.
• Personal Example: Prophet Muhammad’s own life served as the primary textbook for his teachings. His personal integrity, trustworthiness, compassion, and unwavering faith in the face of adversity inspired those around him to love and embrace the religion he preached. Known as Al-Amin (the Trustworthy) long before his Prophethood, he established a foundation of respect and love among his people.
• Engaging with Wisdom and Appropriate Conduct: Understanding the diversity of human character and circumstances, the Prophet tailored his approach to suit the individual’s nature and situation. This bespoke guidance ensured that his message was received in the most effective manner possible, often transforming hearts and minds with astonishing efficacy.
• Encouraging Questions and Reflection: Far from demanding blind obedience, the Prophet encouraged questions, reflection, and understanding. This open and inclusive approach demystified religious teachings, making them more accessible and relatable to his followers.
• Kindness and Gentleness: The Prophet’s interactions were marked by unparalleled kindness and gentleness, qualities that drew people to him and, by extension, to Islam. Even when correcting one’s wrong behavior, his focus was on rehabilitation rather than condemnation, often winning over even his staunchest adversaries.
• Focusing on Common Ground: In his dealings with people of other faiths, the Prophet focused on commonalities rather than differences, promoting mutual respect and understanding. This approach not only facilitated peaceful coexistence but also opened hearts to the message of Islam.

The Prophetic method stands as a timeless guide for making religion beloved, demonstrating that faith flourishes in an environment of understanding, respect, and compassion. By following this exemplary model, we can hope to inspire love for religion in a way that resonates with the innate goodness and potential for spiritual growth present in every individual.