By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
By
Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
One of the most important duties that we must know in Islâm is the obligation to do Da’wah (inviting/calling people to Islâm) for the pleasure of Allâh. Da’wah is the very Sunnah and the very essence of the Prophet’s mission, which we must also follow as Muslims. The Almighty says:
“Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger and beware (of evil): if you do turn back know you that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest manner.” (5:92)
While Allâh I makes it very clear that there is no compulsion in religion for Truth stands out clear from Error...(2:256) He, however, enjoins the Muslim believers to do Da’wah (to invite all to Islâm) in order to lead the whole mankind to the true and perfect religion. He I commands:
“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.” (3:104)
“Invite (all) to the Way of your Rabb (i.e., Islâm) 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)
In line with the Qur’ânic injunctions to do Da’wah, the Prophet r also enjoins us to invite others to Islâm. He says:
Abu Bakra t narrated that the Prophet r said ... “It is incumbent upon those who are present to convey this message (of mine) to those who are absent. May be that some of those to whom it will be conveyed will understand it better than those who have actually heard it.” (Bukhâri 5/688, 1/67 and 2/797)
Abdullâh Bin ‘Amr t narrated that the Prophet r said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single verse...” (Bukhâri 4/667)
We should be inspired to do Da’wah. Allâh’s Messenger r not only encourages us to seek knowledge in order to convey Islâm to others but also invokes prayer for those who learn and transmit Islâmic knowledge to others:
Abdullâh Ibn Mas’ud t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said, “May Allâh be well pleased with the servant who heard our words, remembered them, retained them well and then passed them on to others. How many scholars are there who are the scholars of religion without having an understanding of it, and how many scholars of religion are there who convey knowledge to those who are well versed compared with them. There are three things on account of which no rancor enters a Muslim heart: the sincerity of purpose for Allâh’s sake, seeking goodness for the Muslims and adhering to their main body (jama'ah), for their prayers encompass them all round.” (Tirmidhi 228)
If we do Da’wah for the pleasure of Allâh, Allâh I will reward us prosperous lives. Allâh the Exalted not only commends those who call people to Islâm (41:33; 103:1-3) but subsequently promises unlimited rewards to them (39:33-35). Allâh the Most High says:
“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allâh, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am one of the Muslims?’” (41:33)
“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. 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)
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