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The door of the Ka'abah in the Holy
Mosque in Makkah
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Da'wah, as we know, is an obligation upon every Muslim man and woman. The
Holy Qur'an tells us Da'wah is the most favorite act loved by Allah (swt). It is
the practice of His Prophets (Peace be upon them), the chosen servants of Allah
who struggled in order to convey Allah's message to people despite afflictions,
and hardships. While doing so, they were humiliated, insulted and abused. But
they demonstrated patience and steadfastness. Whenever they faced hostile
reaction from their people, they followed Divine Methodology in their Da'wah
effort and repelled the evil in the best possible manner. They showed highest
moral character.
Da'wah is also the Sunnah (practice) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
Allah recognized him as Daa'ee Ila-Allah ("Daa'ee" or "Daa'iah"
means the one who calls people to Allah).
"O' Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) We have sent you as witness,
and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner. And as one who invites to Allah
(Islamic Monotheism) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light." (Qur'an
33:45-46)
He (Peace be upon him) worked in the most difficult circumstances and gave a
practical demonstration of excellence in moral character during his Da'wah
effort. He did everything possible to convey Allah's message despite the most
difficult response from the Makkan people. He remained firm, patient and
confident of Allah's help and victory. He associated his will to the will of
Allah and showed how to follow Allah's method in doing the Da'wah work.
Doing Da'wah is the individual responsibility of every Muslim man and woman.
Allah commanded the believers to do whatever they can in order to spread Allah's
message. He made the Muslim Ummah (community), both individuals and groups
responsible for this noble cause.
"You (true believers in Islamic monotheism and followers of Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised
up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'roof (good) and forbid Al-Munkar (evil), and
you believe in Allah." (Qur'an 3:110)
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is
good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'roof (whatever is good) and forbidding Al-Munkar
(whatever is evil). And it is they who are successful." (Qur'an 3:104)
Abu-Saeed Al-Khudhri narrated the Prophet (Peace be upon him) saying:
"Anyone among you who notices some thing evil should correct it with his
own hand, and if he is not able to do so, then he should prohibit it with his
tongue, and if he is not able to do so, he should at least consider it as bad in
his heart, and that is weakest of faith, i.e. the lowest degree of faith."
(Narrated by Muslim)
While the Qur'anic text talks about the importance of this obligation on the
Muslim community both individuals as well as groups, we note Da'wah provides a
unique way to open communication channels with other communities in order to
inform them about Al-Islam, the religion of human dignity and honor. Through
Da'wah, a Daa'iah can remove lots of misunderstandings, misrepresentations about
this beautiful religion, and spread messages of peace, justice and fairness.
Since Qur'an declared Da'wah an individual responsibility, the question that
arises here as to what should be the right way of doing Da'wah and what
methodology and manners can be useful and result oriented.
In the Qur'an, Allah (swt) mentioned a complete and comprehensive set of
Divine Guidelines about Da'wah, which include methodology, manners as well as
the main characteristics necessarily acquired by those engaged in the field of
Da'wah. They should learn and acquire those characteristics, and prove
themselves as devoutly obedient servants of Allah. It is extremely important
they apply Divine methodology and manners in their Da'wah effort to make it a
complete success.
It is therefore, required from individuals, groups, and people in-charge of
organizations involved in Da'wah work, to make sure they pay necessary attention
towards their personality building process; thereby making themselves as perfect
examples of true and sincere obedience of Allah. They should develop permanent
habit of seeking Allah's help and forgiveness. By following the sunnah of
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in their daily life they should provide
excellent examples of moral and ethical behavior. "Indeed in the
Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow, for him, who hopes for
(the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much." (Qur'an
33:21)
Allah (swt) guided His Prophet (Peace be upon him) throughout his Da'wah
effort and asked him to apply divine manners when he conveyed Allah's message to
the Makkan people, including his own family members, and others. Allah addressed
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and said:
"O'Muhammad (Peace be upon him) invite mankind to the way of your
lord (Islam) with wisdom, and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that
is better. (Qur'an 16:125).
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Applying wisdom-full approach in Da'wah is key to success. Hikmah (wisdom) is
a gift from Allah. "He grants Hikmah to whom He wills, and he to whom the
Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember (receive
admonition) except men of understanding". (Qur'an 2:269)
Good communication skills and presentation style as well as nice way of
talking help make Da'wah effort a true success. Allah commanded Musa (Moses)
(Peace be upon him) to adopt a soft and mild approach when He sent him along
with his brother Haroun (Aaron) to the Fir'aun (Pharaoh).
"Go both of you, to Fir'aun (Pharaoh). Verily he has transgressed.
And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah." (Qur'an
20:43-44)
Development of necessary skills that make the Daa'iah able to defend evil
with good and ability to face hostile reaction with patience also make Da'wah
effort successful. This quality leaves a good impression on people and provides
instant and positive results by mercy of Allah.
"The good deed and the evil deed can not be equal. Repel the evil
with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity
(will become) as though he was a close friend." (Qur'an 41:34)
The most essential quality required during Da'wah work is that of patience
and steadfastness. Quality of patience and self-restraint will be of tremendous
help to the Daa'iah to carry out his work in all circumstances.
Allah commanded His beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) to keep patient. A
Daa'iah must show self-restraint in case of hostile reaction, argument, or
abuse.
"And be patient; verily Allah wastes not the reward of the good
doers." (Qur'an 11:115)
In Qur'an we find several examples where Allah commanded His Prophet (Peace
be upon him) to practice patience.
"O Muhammad! (Peace be upon him) keep patience to what they say
and ignore them in a good way" (Qur'an 73:10)
"And endure you patiently O' Muhammad (Peace be upon him), your
patience is not but from Allah, and grieve not over them (polytheists and
pagans), and be not distressed because of what they plot." (Qur'an 16:127)
"Therefore be patient O' Muhammad (peace be upon him) as did the
"Messengers of Strong Will" (i.e. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and
Muhammad, Peace be upon them) (Qur'an 46:35)
"Verily many Messengers were denied before you O' Muhammad (Peace be
upon him), but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt; till our
help reached them, and none can alter the words (decisions) of Allah. Surely
there reached to you the information (news) about the Messengers (before
you)." (Qur'an 6:34)
A Daa'iah should always try to turn to Allah, learn how to increase his trust
in Him and seek His help and protection. Allah commanded His Prophet (Peace be
upon him):
"And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), then seek
refuge with Allah. Verily He is All-Hearer, All-Knower." (Qur'an 7:200)
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: " The case of a believer is
wonderful. There is good for him in every thing, and this characteristic is for
him alone. If he experiences something pleasant, he is grateful, but if he comes
across some adversity, he patient and submissive (to Allah's will) and that is
good for him." (Narrated by Muslim)
A Daa'iah should, therefore, develop necessary skills that help him carry out
his work in all circumstances and try to maintain a purely practical approach
with beautiful communication and preaching style. This kind of approach will
help Daa'iah become more acceptable to people. In case of hostile reaction,
Allah requires Daa'iah to learn how to repel evil in the best possible way.
Therefore, they should be well-prepared and patient enough to face any possible
evil; be it in the form of mockery, un-necessary argument, or refusal,
resistance, or non-acceptance and try to respond with the best possible way. At
the same time the Daa'iah should demonstrate highest moral and ethical behavior
to Muslim & Non-Muslim communities at all times. The Prophet (Peace be upon
him) said: "The best among you are those who possess the best
manners." (Al-Bukhari/Muslim)
He (Peace be upon him) also said: "I have been sent to bring good
behavior to the highest perfection." (Musnad Ahmad)
The Daa'iah need to show highest amount of patience and self-restraint at the
time of anger and learn how to forget and forgive people in order to excuse
those who treat them badly.
"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the
foolish." (Qur'an 7:199)
This particular quality should be a permanent part of the Daa'iah's
personality.
"And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who
walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them
(with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness." (Qur'an
25:63)
A Daa'iah must show kindness and mercy in all his actions and endeavors. The
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Whoever is devoid of kindness
and mercy, is devoid of all goodness." (Abu-Dawoud)
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