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

www.dawahmemo.comwww.dawahmemo.com

Allah [swt] says in the Allah [swt] says in the Qur’an,Qur’an,

“ “Invite all to the way of your lord [i.e. Islam] with Invite all to the way of your lord [i.e. Islam] with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better”. [Surah Nahl -125]them in a way that is better”. [Surah Nahl -125]

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

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

Do we really believe that Do we really believe that Da’wah is our obligation?Da’wah is our obligation?

Reflect over this Surah which we Reflect over this Surah which we recite everyday? [Al Asr]recite 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 recommend one another to the truth [to

perform all kind of good deeds; Al Maroof which perform all kind of good deeds; Al Maroof which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds Al Munkar, which Allah has sins and evil deeds Al Munkar, which Allah has forbidden] forbidden]

andand recommend one another towards patience [for recommend one another towards patience [for the sufferings, harms and injuries which one may the sufferings, harms and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's cause during preaching this encounter in Allah's cause during preaching this way of life of Islamic monotheism or jihad].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 ” has been repeated so many times in the Surah?repeated so many times in the Surah?

If fulfilling just one of the criteria was enough for If fulfilling just one of the criteria was enough for us, the repeated word would have been “us, the 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 . [or we will be one of the losers]losers]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some Muslims say:Some Muslims say:

We are We are practicing practicing Muslims Muslims but, but, Da’wah is Da’wah is not our not our responsibresponsibility.ility.

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

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

Some Muslims say:Some Muslims say:

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

Prophet Muhammad Prophet Muhammad [saw] couldn't [saw] couldn't convince his only convince his only uncle, Abu Talib. But uncle, Abu Talib. But it did not stop him it did not stop him from doing Da'wah to from doing Da'wah to others !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 still 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 This is quoted out of context to again escape from our to again escape from our obligation. This Surah is obligation. This Surah is referring to those who reject referring to those who reject faith. The question of rejecting faith. The question of rejecting faith arises only when we faith arises only when we have delivered the message in 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 “There is no no compulsiocompulsion In n In Religion”.Religion”.

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

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

Now, if we are convinced of the Now, if we are convinced of the obligation of Da’wah, lets move obligation of Da’wah, lets move

to some Qualities we need to to some Qualities we need to have as a Daa'ie have as a Daa'ie

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

interesting.interesting. Clarity and repetitionClarity and repetition when necessary. when necessary. Gestures & visual aidsGestures & visual aids definitely make an impact. definitely make an impact.

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

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

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

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

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

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

We should We should win the hearts of the win the hearts of the peoplepeople with the light of Islam, by with the light of Islam, by simple measures such as Inviting simple measures such as Inviting them to our home, preparing food them to our home, preparing food for them, being polite, and well for them, being polite, and well mannered etcmannered etc . .

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Some Qualities we need as Some Qualities we need as a Daa'iea Daa'ie [contd.] [contd.]

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

Realize that:Realize that:

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

ALWAYS REMEMBER!ALWAYS REMEMBER!

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

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

Prioritizing in different Prioritizing in different situationssituations

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

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

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

Ask yourselfAsk yourselfHow do our efforts compare with those of the How do our efforts compare with those of the

prophet [saw] and his companionsprophet [saw] and his companions ? ?

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

What did we , as individuals and communities, do What did we , as individuals and communities, do for Islamfor Islam ? ?

Were we distracted by our money and our Were we distracted by our money and our children from the obedience of Allah and jihad children from the obedience of Allah and jihad

for his sakefor his sake ? ?

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

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

Have we used our bodies for fasting, praying, Have we used our bodies for fasting, praying, enjoining good and forbidding evil, or have we enjoining good and forbidding evil, or have we used them up by succumbing to our desiresused them up by succumbing to our desires??

The prophet [saw] said, “By Allah, if Allah The prophet [saw] said, “By Allah, if Allah guides a man [to Islam] thru you, it is much guides a man [to Islam] thru you, it is much better for you than being blessed with the better for you than being blessed with the

best pleasures of this worldbest pleasures of this world.”.”

MeansMeansThe 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 unimaginable levels to promote their projects and ideas. It is the norm to see the funding of and ideas. It is the norm to see the funding of schools, books, etc, coming from interest schools, books, etc, coming from interest moneymoney . .

Some allow mixed gathering to encourage Some allow mixed gathering to encourage participationparticipation . .

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

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 commits to individual who commits to building up our skills and building up our skills and developing our talents developing our talents continuouslycontinuously . .

ConclusionConclusion

Our prophet Muhammad [saw] Our prophet Muhammad [saw] conveyed the message, fulfilled conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, counseled the Ummah, the trust, counseled the Ummah, and then passed awayand then passed away . .

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

DuaDua

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

May Allah Show us May Allah Show us the straight path, the straight path, and guide us all and guide us all through the waythrough the way