Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr:
The Prophet said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence, and tell others the stories of Bani Israel (which have been taught to you), for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire.”[1]
Da’wah could mean a calling, whether to good or bad. Here, we talk about da’wah as an invitation for people to Islam, a religion that has been chosen for us by God[2]. It’s not only an invitation for non-Muslims to embrace Islam, but it is also for Muslims to make them put Islam in the right position as the way of life.
“Ye are the best community that hath been raised up
for mankind. Ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in
Allah. And if the People of the Scripture had believed it had been better for
them. Some of them are believers; but most of them are evil livers.” (Q3:110)
“Those who hide the proofs and the guidance which We
revealed, after We had made it clear in the Scripture: such are accursed of
Allah and accursed of those who have the power to curse. Except such of them as
repent and amend and make manifest (the truth). These it is toward whom I
relent. I am the Relenting, the Merciful.” (Q2:159-160)
Perhaps, some people will complain about this. They may ask, “Why should invite others to your religion? All religions are same.” The answer for this is that we, Muslims, don’t consider that all religions are same. At the beginning, some religions were originally from God, but then some corruptions took place. Religion that was brought by Musa a.s. (Moses pbuh.) and religion that was brought by Isa a.s. (Jesus pbuh.) are different with Judaism and Christianity today. Musa and Isa were among prophets in Islam who brought the same fundamental issue about worshipping The God alone[3]. After all, God had sent His final messenger (Muhammad s.a.w) and the latest, uncorrupted Holy Book (Al Qur’an) for all mankind[4].
So, all religions may have some truth in it, but only Islam brings all truth.
But, it doesn’t mean we’re allowed to force others to embrace Islam. Our duty is only to convey. We can give correct information about Islam and invite them to Islam, but the decision is in their hand. There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error.[5]
How to do da’wah?
“Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair
exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! Thy Lord is best aware
of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright.
If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted.
But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient.” (Q16: 125-126)
“Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin
kindness, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Q7:199)
Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) sent me and Mu’adh to Yemen saying: Call people (to the path of righteousness) and give good tidings to the (people), and do not repel them, make things easy for them and do not make things difficult… (Muslim :: Book 23 : Hadith 4961)
Also, there are some principles in Surah As-Saff (chapter 61) those can be applied in da’wah, such as:
1. We should be honest because it is most
hateful in the sight of Allah that we say which we don’t do.
Perhaps, we don’t realize that the behaviors and the acts of da’wah activists grab public attention and sometimes some people use it to justify their false deed. Even, some non-Muslims use the acts of few Muslims to judge Islam and Muslims in general, without paying attention at the real teaching of Islam. So, intentionally or unintentionally, our deeds become part of da’wah. It may invite to good or bad. This situation should encourage us to try our best to show good image of Islam, though we are just human beings who are not free from mistake.
2. We should work together with other Muslims
3. Da’wah is not easy, it needs struggle and sacrifice. We know from the stories of prophets, how their own people rejected them and persecuted them because of the messages they brought. So, we need to be patient walking on this path as God may make this religion conqueror of all religion.
The most important thing to remember is, like any other ibadah, we should do this sincerely to please God only[6]. Our first priority is to call people to Islam because of Allah, not to us or our group. There are many Islamic groups and movements nowadays, and it will be good if they all call to Islam and stop quarrelling against each other. There is one Islam that was brought by Prophet Muhammad, with Al Qur’an and Sunah as the source of it, and branch things should not be the source of conflict. We are brothers and sisters in faith, we testify that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is messenger of Allah, we do obligatory prayer 5 times a day like the way Prophet prayed, we fast in Ramadhan, and if we’re able we pay zakah and do haj to Mekkah. For short: We are Muslims, and Muslims should be one ummah!!
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, and do not separate. And remember Allah’s favour unto you: how ye were enemies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and (how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it. Thus Allah maketh clear His revelations unto you, that haply ye may be guided, And there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful. And be ye not as those who separated and disputed after the clear proofs had come unto them. For such there is an awful doom,”
(Q3: 103-105)
I think it’s very important for Muslims who join certain group not to be exclusive from others. And, also, we need to be critical about anything. I don’t think it’s necessary for us to just obey anything from our group, especially if it’s relating to religion. If we consider something to be out of Islam, and our group can’t give any satisfying proof to justify it, we have right whether to accept or reject it. For in the end, each of us will come unto Him on the Day of Resurrection alone[7], and we will responsible to any step we take. The owner of paradise and hell is not the leader of our group; God is The Owner of all. We can’t be free from God’s punishment by blaming other whom we have followed, because God has given
us ability to make choices about what to do. Any words from anyone can be accepted or rejected, except the words of Al ma’soom, Muhammad, s.a.w.
“(O man), follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge. Lo! the hearing and the sight and the heart of each of these it will be asked.”
(Q17: 36)
“Who hear advice and follow the best thereof. Such are those whom Allah guideth, and such are men of understanding.”
(Q39:18)
Wallahu a’lam
Fzn
Islam-victory ALLAH IS GREAT 