The obligation of da’wah

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL.IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

THE OBLIGATION OF THE OBLIGATION OF DA’WAHDA’WAH

By Fatimah KhanBy Fatimah Khan

المفكرة الدعوية

www.dawahmemo.com

Allah [swt] says in the Qur’an,Allah [swt] says in the Qur’an, “ “Invite all to the way of your lord [i.e. Islam] with wisdom Invite all to the way of your lord [i.e. Islam] with wisdom

and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in a way that and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better”. [Surah Nahl -125]is better”. [Surah Nahl -125]

“ “And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims.” [Surah Ha-Mim-33]Muslims.” [Surah Ha-Mim-33]

Calling people towards Allah also means completing our own Calling people towards Allah also means completing our own worship, the reason for which we are created. It is one of the worship, the reason for which we are created. It is one of the noblest acts that entails a high reward.noblest acts that entails a high reward.

Do we real ly bel ieve that Da’wah is our Do we real ly bel ieve that Da’wah is our obl igation?obligation?

Reflect over this Surah which we recite Reflect over this Surah which we recite everyday? [Al Asr]everyday? [Al Asr]

By the time, By the time,

Verily, man is in loss,Verily, man is in loss,

Except those who believe [in Islamic monotheism]Except those who believe [in Islamic monotheism]

andand do righteous deeds, do righteous deeds,

andand recommend one another to the truth [to perform all kind of good recommend one another to the truth [to perform all kind of good deeds; Al Maroof which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds deeds; Al Maroof which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds Al Munkar, which Allah has forbidden] of sins and evil deeds Al Munkar, which Allah has forbidden]

andand recommend one another towards patience [for the sufferings, harms recommend one another towards patience [for the sufferings, harms and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's cause during preaching and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's cause during preaching this way of life of Islamic monotheism or jihad].this way of life of Islamic monotheism or jihad].

Did you reflect?Did you reflect?

Did you notice Did you notice WhyWhy the word “ the word “AndAnd ” has been repeated so many ” has been repeated so many times in the Surah?times in the Surah?

If fulfilling just one of the criteria was enough for us, the If fulfilling just one of the criteria was enough for us, the repeated word would have been “repeated word would have been “OrOr ”.”.

This implies that fulfilling each criteria is a This implies that fulfilling each criteria is a must must to hope for to hope for JannahJannah . [or we will be one of the losers]. [or we will be one of the losers]

So, apart from believing, and doing righteous deeds, we should also So, apart from believing, and doing righteous deeds, we should also call one another to the truth, and towards patience, i.e., do call one another to the truth, and towards patience, i.e., do Dawah.Dawah.

Do we hope for Jannah, without fulfilling our obligations?Do we hope for Jannah, without fulfilling our obligations?

There are also many related Ahadeeth:There are also many related Ahadeeth:

‘‘ConveyConvey what you have received from me, even if it is one what you have received from me, even if it is one verse’. [Bukharee].verse’. [Bukharee]. Conveying a message therefore does not require a Conveying a message therefore does not require a high level of scholarship, it is in fact a responsibility of each and every high level of scholarship, it is in fact a responsibility of each and every Muslim, according to his or her ability.Muslim, according to his or her ability.

‘ ‘Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the branding iron from the hellfire’. [Ahmed]branding iron from the hellfire’. [Ahmed]

‘ ‘If one of u sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand, and If one of u sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand, and if he is unable then with his tongue, and if he is unable then if he is unable then with his tongue, and if he is unable then with his heart. And that is the weakest of faith’.with his heart. And that is the weakest of faith’.

‘ ‘Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it’ [Saheeh Muslim]similar to the one who performs it’ [Saheeh Muslim]

Some Muslims say:Some Muslims say:

We are We are practic ing practic ing Muslims Muslims but, but, Da’wah is Da’wah is not our not our responsibi l iresponsibi l ity.ty.

““Allah commanded Jibrael to destroy a city Allah commanded Jibrael to destroy a city because of the evildoers therein. Jibrael said, because of the evildoers therein. Jibrael said, “O Allah, there is a person in the city who has “O Allah, there is a person in the city who has never disobeyed you. Allah said, destroy him as never disobeyed you. Allah said, destroy him as well, because he was not offended by their well, because he was not offended by their evildoing”evildoing”

If there were people committing sins and people If there were people committing sins and people who had the power to stop them, but did not do who had the power to stop them, but did not do so, then Allah would punish both parties before so, then Allah would punish both parties before their death.their death.

Some Muslims say:Some Muslims say:

First, we should First, we should improve our own improve our own community, and community, and then tell others.then tell others.

Prophet Muhammad Prophet Muhammad [saw] couldn't convince [saw] couldn't convince his only uncle, Abu his only uncle, Abu Talib. But it did not Talib. But it did not stop him from doing stop him from doing Da'wah to others !Da'wah to others !

It is much easier to tell Muslims, as they don’t retaliate much [e.g., when we tell them about hijab, salah, beard etc]. But we are afraid that if we tell Non-Muslims, they will retaliate, ask questions, argue ! We don’t want to do our homework, make effort etc, and make excuses to escape the obligation and st i l l hope for Jannah?

Some muslims say: [contd.]Some muslims say: [contd.]

“ “Lakum Lakum deenukum, deenukum, wali ya deen”. wali ya deen”. ‘To u is your ‘To u is your way, to me is way, to me is mine ‘ [Surah mine ‘ [Surah Al Kafirun]Al Kafirun]

This is quoted out of context to This is quoted out of context to again escape from our obligation. again escape from our obligation. This Surah is referring to those This Surah is referring to those who reject faith. The question of who reject faith. The question of rejecting faith arises only when rejecting faith arises only when we have delivered the message in we have delivered the message in the first place the first place

So, whom are we deceiving?So, whom are we deceiving?

Some muslims say: [contd.]Some muslims say: [contd.]

“ “La ikraha La ikraha fi deen”. fi deen”. “There is no “There is no compulsion compulsion In Religion”.In Religion”.

[Al Baqarah [Al Baqarah -256] -256]

Of course No Compulsion. But only after Of course No Compulsion. But only after first delivering the message. On the day first delivering the message. On the day of judgment, the Mushrik will say – of judgment, the Mushrik will say – these were our neighbors, our colleagues, these were our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends who were Muslims - they did our friends who were Muslims - they did not inform us, so how are we to blame? not inform us, so how are we to blame? So, we too wil l have to fol low So, we too wil l have to fol low them to hel l .them to hel l .

Now, if we are convinced of the Now, if we are convinced of the obl igation of Da’wah, lets move to some obl igation of Da’wah, lets move to some Qualit ies we need to have as a Daa' ie Qualit ies we need to have as a Daa' ie

KnowledgeKnowledge :: to call the people to the way of to call the people to the way of Allah with Knowledge, and not with ignorance. Allah with Knowledge, and not with ignorance. Lets beware of giving Da’wah while being in a Lets beware of giving Da’wah while being in a state of ignorance. Some pious people have said, state of ignorance. Some pious people have said, “Give knowledge [of Deen] everything you have, “Give knowledge [of Deen] everything you have, it will give you some of what it has”.it will give you some of what it has”. Lets ask Lets ask ourselves, how much will it give us, if we only ourselves, how much will it give us, if we only give it our spare / leisure time?give it our spare / leisure time?

Some Qualit ies we need as a Daa' ieSome Qualit ies we need as a Daa' ie [contd.][contd.]

Sincer itySincer ity :: it is waajib upon the Daa’ie to it is waajib upon the Daa’ie to have have IkhlaasIkhlaas for the sake of Allah [swt]. He / for the sake of Allah [swt]. He / She should not be desiring to show the people, or She should not be desiring to show the people, or to have a good image, nor should he desire the to have a good image, nor should he desire the praises and rewards of the peoplepraises and rewards of the people


The beautiful style of speechThe beautiful style of speech :: the the Daa'ieDaa'ie is is responsible for acquiring a respectable level of language responsible for acquiring a respectable level of language proficiency, to effectively convey the message. It is worthy to proficiency, to effectively convey the message. It is worthy to note that all evil channels of communication convey its note that all evil channels of communication convey its mischief, deceit, delusion, and falsehood through adorned mischief, deceit, delusion, and falsehood through adorned speech. The Daa’ie is more entitled to use this, to call for the speech. The Daa’ie is more entitled to use this, to call for the truth. truth.

Brevity and eloquenceBrevity and eloquence in conveying the Message. in conveying the Message. Use parables and similitudeUse parables and similitude to make it more interesting. to make it more interesting. Clarity and repetitionClarity and repetition when necessary. when necessary. Gestures & visual aidsGestures & visual aids definitely make an impact. definitely make an impact.


AkhlaaqAkhlaaq :: Be gentle and patient, and moderate Be gentle and patient, and moderate in Da’wah, while dealing with people. Beware of in Da’wah, while dealing with people. Beware of harshness , as it will make them distant, not harshness , as it will make them distant, not close, and causes separation, not unity. Our close, and causes separation, not unity. Our words need to have an affect on their hearts. words need to have an affect on their hearts.

The best believers are those with the The best believers are those with the best best character.character.

Don’t favourDon’t favour a group of people over others. a group of people over others.


PerseverancePerseverance :: Dawah will test us in many Dawah will test us in many situations [situations [afflictions, temptations, and obstacles]afflictions, temptations, and obstacles] that try to that try to lure us off from our mission. A Daa’ie should have a lure us off from our mission. A Daa’ie should have a praiseworthy personality and an excellent behaviour, praiseworthy personality and an excellent behaviour, calling to patience. A Daa’ie should be sincere in calling to patience. A Daa’ie should be sincere in Da’wah, and strive in spreading truth amongst the Da’wah, and strive in spreading truth amongst the people, and keep them away from falsehood. And with people, and keep them away from falsehood. And with that, we should supplicate for guidance for them . that, we should supplicate for guidance for them . [May [May Allah guide u, grant u the ability to accept the truth. Allah guide u, grant u the ability to accept the truth. May he help u with acceptance of the truth. [hidaak May he help u with acceptance of the truth. [hidaak allah wa faqak allah li qubool al haqq aanak allah alaa allah wa faqak allah li qubool al haqq aanak allah alaa qubool al haqq]qubool al haqq] The Daa’ie should not despair, or have The Daa’ie should not despair, or have hopelessness, or say anything except that which is good. hopelessness, or say anything except that which is good. He should not say a statement which might cause He should not say a statement which might cause aversion to the truth. aversion to the truth.


Practice what we preachPractice what we preach :: We should We should not call to something and then not do it not call to something and then not do it ourselves, which are the conditions of the ourselves, which are the conditions of the losers.losers.


Deliver the Message, and leave the rest Deliver the Message, and leave the rest to Allahto Allah .. We must remain firm in our We must remain firm in our expectation, and hope for the good. We should expectation, and hope for the good. We should not despair in the effect of our call, nor about the not despair in the effect of our call, nor about the guidance of people we call to. We should not guidance of people we call to. We should not despair about the aid and the help of Allah, even despair about the aid and the help of Allah, even if a long time passes.if a long time passes.

Some Qualit ies we need as a Daa'ieSome Qualit ies we need as a Daa'ie [contd.][contd.]

We need to use wisdom and tact, We need to use wisdom and tact, especially when informing someone not especially when informing someone not to continue in a prohibited act.to continue in a prohibited act. This is This is not easy today, as people have come to regard not easy today, as people have come to regard some prohibited acts as simply ordinary, and some prohibited acts as simply ordinary, and cannot understand the objection to it. Hikma is cannot understand the objection to it. Hikma is required to make people see the error of their required to make people see the error of their ways.ways.


We should We should find out the interests of the peoplefind out the interests of the people, , and make conversation with them around their and make conversation with them around their interests. interests.

We should provide literature according to their We should provide literature according to their interests. E.g.interests. E.g.

A doctor could be given Maurice Bucaille’s “The A doctor could be given Maurice Bucaille’s “The Bible, The Qur’an, and Science]Bible, The Qur’an, and Science]

A lawyer could be given books on Islamic Law, A lawyer could be given books on Islamic Law, etc. etc.


We should We should win the hearts of the peoplewin the hearts of the people with the with the light of Islam, by simple measures such as light of Islam, by simple measures such as Inviting them to our home, preparing food for Inviting them to our home, preparing food for

them, being polite, and well mannered etcthem, being polite, and well mannered etc. .


We should We should be constant in Da’wahbe constant in Da’wah. Results often . Results often take place only after some time, and so we should take place only after some time, and so we should be aware of the stamina, efforts, and the be aware of the stamina, efforts, and the patience that is requiredpatience that is required..


Strong wil l and confidence:Strong wil l and confidence: It’s desirable to It’s desirable to exhibit a strong will, positive self-confidence, exhibit a strong will, positive self-confidence, and the capacity to control emotionsand the capacity to control emotions..


Posing questionsPosing questions :: This will often stimulate This will often stimulate thought and sharing of ideas. Rewarding the thought and sharing of ideas. Rewarding the right answers will encourage eager participationright answers will encourage eager participation..

Realize that:Realize that:

People learn in different ways.People learn in different ways. Researchers confirm Researchers confirm that some people learn from what they see, some that some people learn from what they see, some learn from what they hear, while some prefer to learn from what they hear, while some prefer to read. People’s acceptance of a concept also read. People’s acceptance of a concept also depends on their scope of intellect, cultural depends on their scope of intellect, cultural background, or their field of operation. All these background, or their field of operation. All these diverse factors call for various methods of diverse factors call for various methods of Da’wah dissemination - that appeals and Da’wah dissemination - that appeals and stimulates peoples interests, senses and needsstimulates peoples interests, senses and needs..

ALWAYS REMEMBER!ALWAYS REMEMBER!

Guidance is from Allah.Guidance is from Allah. Our job is only to convey Our job is only to convey the message in a clear way. We should not worry the message in a clear way. We should not worry if people do not agree or listen to us. Shaytaan if people do not agree or listen to us. Shaytaan will use this fact to establish resignation and will use this fact to establish resignation and hopelessness in our hearts, and make it appear hopelessness in our hearts, and make it appear that we could funnel our efforts elsewhere. that we could funnel our efforts elsewhere. BewareBeware ! !

Remember the prior ityRemember the prior ityDa'wah should start with fundamental issues,Da'wah should start with fundamental issues, before proceeding before proceeding with those that are less central. The oneness of Allah with those that are less central. The oneness of Allah [Tawheed][Tawheed] is the beginning and the end. Each deed should be is the beginning and the end. Each deed should be connected with it. Muslims argue over subsidiary matters, connected with it. Muslims argue over subsidiary matters, and give more attention to some voluntary forms of worship, and give more attention to some voluntary forms of worship, neglecting those that are obligatory. This neglect with regards neglecting those that are obligatory. This neglect with regards to priorities has resulted in muslims losing their faith, the to priorities has resulted in muslims losing their faith, the source of their strength. The present weakness is used by the source of their strength. The present weakness is used by the enemies of Islam to further prolong the current state of enemies of Islam to further prolong the current state of affairs. The only form of Islam encouraged by the enemies of affairs. The only form of Islam encouraged by the enemies of Islam, and the secularists to practice is the one which only Islam, and the secularists to practice is the one which only celebrates occasions, involves in bidah, etc. celebrates occasions, involves in bidah, etc. So Priorit izeSo Priorit ize..

Priorit izing in different Priorit izing in different s ituationssituations

Keep the s ituation in mindKeep the s ituation in mind :: While there is a need While there is a need to warn people against the deviations of the nation of to warn people against the deviations of the nation of Islam in North America, that is really of little importance Islam in North America, that is really of little importance in Bosnia, or Pakistan. Similarly, there are different in Bosnia, or Pakistan. Similarly, there are different shirk-Practices in different places that need to be shirk-Practices in different places that need to be corrected. corrected.

Da’wah also depends upon whether the people being Da’wah also depends upon whether the people being addressed are Atheists, Polytheists or the People of the addressed are Atheists, Polytheists or the People of the Book.Book.

Previously, people had to be called towards Monotheism, Previously, people had to be called towards Monotheism, away from idolatry, now a days, there is more need to away from idolatry, now a days, there is more need to invite people to the existence of Allah, as Atheism and invite people to the existence of Allah, as Atheism and Agnosticism is common.Agnosticism is common.

Ask yourselfAsk yourself

How do our efforts compare with those of the prophet [saw] How do our efforts compare with those of the prophet [saw] and his companionsand his companions? ?

How many good deeds have we prepared for the day of How many good deeds have we prepared for the day of judgmentjudgment? ?

What did we , as individuals and communities, do for What did we , as individuals and communities, do for IslamIslam? ?

Were we distracted by our money and our children from the Were we distracted by our money and our children from the obedience of Allah and jihad for his sakeobedience of Allah and jihad for his sake? ?

““O you who believe! Let not your money or your children O you who believe! Let not your money or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act as divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act as such, then surely they are the losers.”[Al-Munafiqun – 9such, then surely they are the losers.”[Al-Munafiqun – 9[[

Remind yourselfRemind yourselfThe prophet saw said, “No servant will be let go on the day The prophet saw said, “No servant will be let go on the day of judgment until he is asked about the 4 matters: his of judgment until he is asked about the 4 matters: his lifetime, and how he spent it, his knowledge and what did lifetime, and how he spent it, his knowledge and what did he use it for, his money, where did he gain it from and he use it for, his money, where did he gain it from and where did he spend it. And his body, in what way did he where did he spend it. And his body, in what way did he

wear it away. [at tirmidheewear it away. [at tirmidhee[. [. Have we used our bodies for fasting, praying, enjoining good Have we used our bodies for fasting, praying, enjoining good and forbidding evil, or have we used them up by and forbidding evil, or have we used them up by

succumbing to our desiressuccumbing to our desires??The prophet [saw] said, “By Allah, if Allah guides a man [to The prophet [saw] said, “By Allah, if Allah guides a man [to Islam] thru you, it is much better for you than being Islam] thru you, it is much better for you than being

blessed with the best pleasures of this worldblessed with the best pleasures of this world”.”.

MeansMeans

The means of any mission must serve its The means of any mission must serve its objectives.objectives. There are muslims who stoop to There are muslims who stoop to unimaginable levels to promote their projects and unimaginable levels to promote their projects and ideas. It is the norm to see the funding of schools, ideas. It is the norm to see the funding of schools,

books, etc, coming from interest moneybooks, etc, coming from interest money. .

Some allow mixed gathering to encourage participationSome allow mixed gathering to encourage participation. .

The result will be identical. Anything that does not The result will be identical. Anything that does not operate within the framework of Islam will inevitable operate within the framework of Islam will inevitable failfail..

So we should be wary of the means we useSo we should be wary of the means we use..

Continuous ImprovementContinuous Improvement

We should try to be a We should try to be a dynamicdynamic individual who individual who commits to building up our skills and developing commits to building up our skills and developing

our talents continuouslyour talents continuously. .

ConclusionConclusion

Our prophet Muhammad [saw] conveyed the Our prophet Muhammad [saw] conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, counseled the message, fulfilled the trust, counseled the

Ummah, and then passed awayUmmah, and then passed away. .

Our Our duty is to safeguard that trustduty is to safeguard that trust handed handed down to us through generations of the down to us through generations of the Muslim UmmahMuslim Ummah..

DuaDua

And finally to close from a DuaAnd finally to close from a Dua – – “O Allah, I seek “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from a Science which gives no refuge in You from a Science which gives no benefit, a Heart that does not fear You, a Soul benefit, a Heart that does not fear You, a Soul which is not satisfied, and a Call which is not which is not satisfied, and a Call which is not heard or answered by Youheard or answered by You..

May Allah Show us the May Allah Show us the straight path, and guide straight path, and guide us al l through the wayus al l through the way

Spiritual

The obligation of da’wah