Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
(Note: This article is an excerpt from the author’s manuscript “Da’wah Handbook” to be published, Insha Allâh, by the Wisdom Enrichment Foundation (WEFOUND). It is the revised edition of the book which she wrote entitled, “Da’wah According to the Qur’ân and the Sunnah”, published by the Darusalam Publishers and Distributors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1998.)
Islâm is the perfect and complete religion for the whole mankind (Qur’ân 5:3). Truly it is the religion before Allâh (Qur’ân 3:19) --
the only religion acceptable to Him (Qur’ân 3:85). It is the right religion, but most men do not know it (12:40 and 30:30). Allâh by His Grace has guided the Muslim Believers to the Truth (Qur’ân 2:213).
Indeed, we Muslims are very fortunate that Allâh has guided us to the Right Path. It is imperative that we do Da’wah (call or invite people to Islâm) as a way to show our gratitude to Allâh.
We should do Da’wah based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah (Tradition of the Messenger of Allâh) purely for Allâh’s pleasure for the following reasons:
First, to call people to Tawhîd (Islâmic Monotheism or the absolute Oneness[1] of Allâh) especially inviting them to Tawhîd Al-Uloohiyah or Ibadaa (Allâh as the Only One Worthy of true worship). Tawhîd is Allâh’s Divine Message to the whole mankind. Allâh has commanded us to worship Him alone with sincere devotion for our guidance and ultimate success. Allâh the Almighty says:
“Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning there from, and let them know that He is (no other than) One Allâh: Let men of understanding take heed.” (Qu’ran, 14:52)
“That is Allâh your Rabb[2] (Only Cherisher and Sustainer)! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then you worship Him: and He has power to dispose of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is Subtle well-aware. (Qu’ran, 6:102-103)
“. . . (This Qur’ân is) a Book, with verses basic or fundamental -- further explained in detail -- from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things). (It teaches) that you should worship none but Allâh.” (11:1-2)
“…The Command is for none but Allâh: He has commanded that you worship none but Him: that is the right religion but most men understand not.” (12:40)
“And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allâh, offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in Faith); establish regular prayer; and to give Zakat. And that is the Religion Right and Straight.” (98:5)
By calling people to Tawhîd they will be guided to perform and submit to Allâh’s very purpose of creating mankind (and the jinn) -- that is for all of us to worship Him all throughout our lives. Allâh makes this very clear in the Qur’ân when He says:
“I have created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.” (51:56-58)
“So glorify the praises of your Rabb and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Rabb (Sustainer) until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death).” (15:98-99)
With firm knowledge of Tawhîd those who sincerely adhere to it are protected from committing Shirk (the major sin of associating partner with Allâh I). It is the greatest sin, which Allâh does not forgive:
“Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allâh is to devise a sin most heinous indeed.” (4:48)
Second, we must do Da’wah in order to let the Law of Allâh (the Shari’ah, which is based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah) prevail, instead of the man-made laws. This is to please Allâh
and, thus, attain His rewards and Mercy. Allâh
clearly tells us:
“O you who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not vain your deeds.” (47:33)
“For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge, which We explained in detail a guide and a Mercy to all who believe.” (7:52)
“... Yet you (O Muhammad) were sent as a Mercy from your Rabb to give warning to a people to whom no Warner had come before you in order that they may receive admonition.” (28:46)
Third, by upholding the Law of Allâh, it means that we have to stick to the Qur’ân and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
and avoid Bid’ah (any new invented belief and way in the religion outside the Qur’ân and the Sunnah). For our guidance we must avoid any innovation in matters of our religion. We should take admonition from the following authentic Ahâdîth (Teachings and Sayings of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.):
Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah (r.a.) [3] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said “The best speech is that embodied in the Book of Allâh, and the best guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. The most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is an error.” (Muslim1885)
Ali Bin Abu Talib (r.a.) narrated that according to Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) “…If anyone introduces an innovation, he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allâh, by His angels, and by all the people.” (Abu Dawud 4515)
Yahya Bin Abu Muta (r.a.) said that he heard Irbad Bin Sariya (r.a.) as saying, “One day Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, ‘…It is incumbent upon you to adhere strictly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs. Hold fast that with teeth and pursue not the affairs of innovation for every innovation is straying from the Right Path.’” (Ibn Majah 1/42, Abu Dawud 4950 and Tirmidhi)
Fourth, it is imperative that we do Da’wah in order to revive the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and gain more rewards. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
tells us in the following Ahâdîth :
‘Abdullah (r.a.) narrated on the authority of his father, “I heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) saying, “He who revived a Sunnah of mine that was extinct after me, would (receive) a reward like the reward of one of the people who acted upon it without any diminution in their rewards. And, he who introduced an innovation that Allâh and His Messenger had not sanctioned, would incur (a sin) like the sin of one of the people who acted upon it without any diminution in people’s sins.” (Ibn Majah 1/210)
Bilal Bin Harith al-Muzani (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “He who revived a Sunnah out of my Sunan, which has died after me, for him is the reward like the reward of those who acted upon it, without any decrease in that reward. He who introduced some evil innovation which Allâh and His Messenger did not approve has (a burden of sin upon him) like the sins of one who acted according to it, without their sins being mitigated thereby in the least.” (Tirmidhi 168)
Fifth, to do Da’wah is a divine commandment from Allâh, the Creator (2:21). Allâh enjoins the Muslim believers to invite mankind to Islâm. He I commands:
“Invite (all) to the Way of your Rabb (Only Cherisher and Sustainer) with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.” (16:125)
Sixth, Da’wah is the very Sunnah (Tradition or Practice) of Allâh’s Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s). Allâh the Almighty sent him as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, a Warner and as one who invites mankind to Allâh’s Grace by His leave and as a Lamp spreading Light (33:45-46). We further read in the Qur’ân:
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘This is my Way; I do invite unto Allâh with a certain knowledge. And whoever follows me (must also invite others to the Oneness of Allâh with sure knowledge). Glory to Allâh! And I am not of the polytheists.’” (12: 108)
Seventh, Da’wah as a Sunnah is one of the best ways of serving Allâh. Doing Da’wah, or supporting it, is a tangible manifestation of our noble service to Allâh.
If we carry it out or support it sincerely to please our Creator, our lives will certainly be prosperous. Allâh praises those Muslims who invite people to Islâm. He says:
“You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind. You enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allâh...” (3:110)
“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allâh, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those who bow in Islâm?’” (41:33)
Likewise the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) encourages us to do Da’wah as stated in the following authentic Hâdîth:
‘Abdullah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: the case of a man whom Allâh has given wealth and he spends it in the right way; and that of a man whom Allâh has given religious wisdom (i.e., Qur’ân and the Sunnah) and he gives his verdicts according to it, and teaches it to others.” (Bukhâri 9/419)
Eighth, if we join the ranks of those who call people to Islâm (the Du’ât or Da’eeyât for women who do Da’wah) we will be among the successful believers. Allâh the Most Merciful not only assures the Du’ât as the ones to attain success (3:104) but also promises unlimited rewards to them. Our Creator inspires us:
“And he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it — such are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with their Rabb (Only Cherisher and Sustainer). Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allâh will remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their reward according to the best of what they have done.” (39:33-35)
The following Ahâdîth of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) should further inspire us Muslims to enjoin people to Islâm:
Sahl Bin Sad (r.a.)narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “…Be patient till you face them (i.e., the infidels) and invite them to Islâm and inform them of what Allâh has enjoined upon them. By Allâh! If a single person embraces Islâm at your hands (i.e., through you) that will be better for you than the red camels.” (Bukhâri 4/192 and 5/51)
Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “…One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.” (Muslim 4/4665)
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “He who called people to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.” (Muslim 4/6470)
Khuraym Bin Fatik (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “If anyone makes a contribution towards Allâh’s path, seven hundred times as much will be recorded to his credit.” (Tirmidhi 3826, 1343 and Nasa'i)
Al Hasan Al Basri (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “The superiority of a scholar, who observes the prescribed prayer and then sits down to teach people goodness, over the worshipper, who observes fast during the day and worships during the night, is like my superiority over the lowest in rank amongst you.” (Tirmidhi 250)
Ninth, as much as possible, we Muslims must do Da’wah because it is our religious duty to share the knowledge of Islâm with others. For our guidance and success, we must take inspiration from the following Ahâdîth:
‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single Âyât h (verse)...” (Bukhâri 4/667)
‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said: “Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people. Acquire the knowledge of Fara'id (laws of inheritance) and teach it to the people. Learn the Qur’ân and teach it to the people; for I am a person who has to depart this world. The knowledge will be taken away and turmoil will appear to such an extent that two people will not agree in regard to a case of inheritance distribution and find none who would decide between them.” (Tirmidhi 279)
In line with the above religious duty, it is a must that we should spend part of our time, efforts and resources to Da’wah. We should see to it that we impart our authentic knowledge of Islâm to others in order to direct them to the Right Path. We should take admonition from the following Ahâdîth:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “He who is asked about knowledge and conceals it will be bridled on the Day of Judgement with a bridle of fire.” (Abu Dawud 3650)
‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had.” (Tirmidhi 5197)
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “The knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of Allâh.” (Tirmidhi 280)
Abu Darda (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) narrated that said, “The worst of men in the eyes of Allâh on the Day of Resurrection will be the scholar who does not derive benefit from his knowledge.” (Tirmidhi 268)
Tenth, we must do Da’wah because as Muslims it is our religious duty to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. It is imperative that we comply with the following injunctions from the Qur’ân and the Ahâdîth:
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good (i.e., Islâm), enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief, bid’ah, etc.): they are the ones who are the successful.” (3:104)
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one to another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil . . .” (9:71)
Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri (r.a.) narrated that he heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) as saying, “He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand. If he has no strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue. And if he has no strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart and that is the least of faith.” (Muslim 79)
‘Abdullah Bin Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, “…By no means, I swear by Allâh, you must enjoin what is good and prohibit what is evil, prevent the wrongdoer, bend him into conformity with what is right, and restrict him to what is right.” (Abu Dawud 4322)
As Du’ât, it is one of our duties to admonish the people and refrain them from doing evil deeds. We should take admonitions from the following Ahâdîth:
Abu Bakr As-Saddiq (r.a.) said: “You people recite this verse, ‘You who believe, care for yourselves; he who goes astray cannot harm you when you are rightly guided.’ I heard Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said, ‘When people see something objectionable and do not change it, Allâh will soon include them all in His punishment.’” (Tirmidhi 5142 and Ibn Majah)
Hudhayfah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “By Him in Whose hands is my life (Allâh the Almighty), necessarily you should enjoin virtue and check evil, or else Allâh will certainly send chastisement upon you. And then you will pray but your supplications will not be accepted.” (Tirmidhi 193)
Eleventh, but not the least, it is imperative that we must do Da’wah so that there will be more sincere and god-fearing Muslims who seek Allâh’s help and protection from every mischief of the non-Muslim enemies. This is imperative so that we Muslims will be victorious in this world and in the life Hereafter. Allâh the Almighty says:
“O you who believe if you will aid (the cause of) Allâh, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.” (47:7)
“Allâh has promised to those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will certainly grant them in the earth inheritance (or power) as He granted it to those before them. That He will grant them authority to practice their religion --
the one which He has chosen for them. And that He will change (their state) after the fear in which they (lived) to one of security and peace (provided) they worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieve after this, they are the rebellious (disobedient to Allâh).” (24:55)
“Verily, this Qur’ân does guide to that which is most right. And it gives the glad tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward. And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it announces) that We have prepared for them a Chastisement grievous (indeed).” (17:9-10).
Da’wah, therefore, is a duty of every able Muslim (man or woman). It is a very noble duty that we Muslims must undertake in order to be among the successful Believers whom Allâh the Almighty has promised forgiveness and everlasting rewards. Doing Da’wah is the very Sunnah of the Messenger of Allâh, which we must undertake for the pleasure of our Rabb. It is the best way to help mankind to fulfill their very purpose in life -- to worship Allâh in order to attain ultimate success. Given all the above reasons for Da’wah with proofs from the Qur’ân and the Sunnah, it is imperative that we Muslims must learn how to be successful Du’ât. We must sincerely do Da’wah to mankind with wisdom and beautiful preaching as defined in the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. This is a must in order to attain Allâh’s pleasure and rewards.
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[1] Some Muslim scholars make use of the term “Unity” to mean Tawhîd or Islâmic Monotheism. It is appropriate to use the word “Oneness” instead of “Unity”. “Unity” comes from the word “unite” , which means “to put or bring together so as to make one”. Both the Websters and the Oxford dictionaries tell us that “unity” means “the state of being one; singleness; being united.” Christians usually make use of unity as they believe in the “Trinity” where there is the so-called unity of “the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” This means uniting three personalities into one. Knowing the absolute oneness of Allâh in all aspects, as He is the Only God it is not appropriate that we imitate the Christians and the polytheists who use the term unity. In order not to commit Shirk (the major sin of associating partner with Allâh), we must use the word “oneness” instead of “unity”. The word unity is a concept which is totally different from the Islâmic concept of Tawhîd or the absolute oneness of Allâh.
[2] Note: I retain the original Arabic word “Rabb” to mean “the Only Cherisher and Sustainer” because the word “Lord has human connotations. Christians not only use the term “Lord” to refer to Jesus Christ but also to other human beings. It refers to “a person having great power and authority; ruler and master.” In Great Britain “Lord” refers to “a) a nobleman holding the rank of baron, viscount, earl, or marquis; member of the House of Lords; (and) b) a man who by courtesy
or because of his office is given the title of Lord, as a bishop, the son of a duke, or a lord mayor.” This is to avoid associating partners with Allâh. Verily, Allâh the Creator of all (2:29, 117; 6:73) and the Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds (1:2; 39:75) has no partner (6:163). There is nothing whatever like unto Him (42:12). Allâh is the One, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him (112:1-4).
[3] RadhiAllâh hu anhu, meaning: May Allâh be pleased with him.
Wefound
