When humanity was grappling in darkness, Muhammad bin Abdullah (Peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was born in 570 AC. He was appointed Prophet of Allah in 610 AC. Through the very second Wahi of Surah Al-Muddathir, Allah ordained him, “Arise and warn and glorify thy Lord.” His mission was determined as to establish the authority of Allah on this earth.
Da‘wah or Dawah usually denotes the preaching of Islam. Dawah is an Islamic terminology and its meaning is “to call” or “to invite”. Dawah literally means “issuing a summon” or “making an invitation”, being the active participle of a verb meaning variously “to summon” or “to invite”.
This was the basic mission of all the prophets. It derives its origin from various Qur’ānic verses:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good admonition and argue with them in ways that are best….”
Surah Al Nahl (16:125)
At another place in the Qur’ān we are told:
“And who is better in speech than the one who invites people to Allah, works righteously and says ‘I am among the Muslims’.”
(Fussilat 41:33)
Dawah implies calling to Islam people who are outside its fold and not people who already practise it. Calling Muslims to properly follow their religion is called islah or tazkiyah. Usually people use the word ‘Dawah’ for the act of conveying the message of Islam, without differentiating whether the person addressed is a Muslim or non-Muslim. Many consider ‘Dawah’ and ‘Islaah’ to be one and the same activity. While the fact remains that the appropriate word used for inviting a non-Muslim to Islam is ‘Dawah’ and for providing correct and additional knowledge of Islam to a Muslim is ‘Islaah’.
Dawah is not conversion but an invitation to someone with wisdom to submit to his/her Creator. Once the invitation has been effectively and efficiently made, the duty of Da’ee finishes. If someone wants to come to Islam, he/she must come voluntarily out of his/her own desire and freewill. If it is a result of compulsion or allurement of some material gains in this world, it is of no use in the eyes of Allah.
WHY DAWAH?
First and foremost reason for seriously indulging in this activity is that it’s an obligation from Allah. Muslims are duty bound to convey the Final Message of their Lord, which is in their possession in the form of Islam. This obligation is binding on every individual Muslim as well as it is a collective obligation upon the Ummah.
Allah tells us in the Qur’ān:
“Thus have We made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves.” (2: 143)
REASONS AS TO WHY DA’WAH?
1. Prophetic Model
If we are keen to follow the example of the Prophet (which we must do); we must emulate the example of his effort and exertion in conveying the message. He took a pledge from the congregation, that had assembled to perform Hajj with him in the 10th Hijrah, that they will pass on the message to people who were not present there. Obligation to pass on the message to people of all ages continues to fall upon the Muslims of every age, as they are the bearers of the message.
2. Accountability
We need to fulfil this obligation because we are going to be asked about it on the Day of Judgement.
“Then verily We shall question those unto whom (Our Message) had been sent, and verily We shall question the Messengers.” (7:6)
3. Elimination of the Excuse
Allah sent Messengers so that people are not left with any excuse for not obeying Him. As bearers of the message, Muslims are responsible to make sure that the message is delivered to all mankind not leaving with them any plea against Allah.
4. Universality of the Message and Prophethood of Muhammad
Islam is not the Property or Monopoly of Muslims. Message of Islam as well as the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) is for all mankind and for all humanity.
We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not. (34:28)
We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures. ( 21:107)
5. For good life in this world
The way of life called Islam, which is the complete and perfect way, solves human problems in this world and ensures salvation in the Hereafter.
6. In Defence of our own Faith
Huge organised efforts are made to convert Muslims to other faiths, especially Christianity. Therefore Dawah acts as an important tool in defence of our own faith.
7. Promise of a great Reward
We must call people to Islam because we have been promised a great reward if as a result of our effort someone is led to the right path.
Hadith: “By Allah, even if a single person is led to the Guidance by Allah through you, then that will be better for you than the red camels.” (Bukhari)
8. Reforming Muslims
Dawah helps us in a great way to reform ourselves. People would not come to us if we don’t practise what we preach. If we do so, it will lead us to improve our own character and behaviour – both individually as well as collectively.
Guiding people to Allah’s religion and establishing worship of Allah Alone, was the primary task of the Prophets and Messengers. The Prophets called people to the realisation and fulfilment of the purpose of creation, which is to worship their Creator.
“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Qur’an, 51:56)
The aim of Muslims in Dawah is the same, calling all of mankind to the worship of Allah Alone and submission to Him according to the Religion that He chose for His Prophets to convey. At the same time, it must be realised that the actual results of our efforts in guiding people to Allah’s religion are not in our hands, as it is only Allah who guides.
The Messenger of Allah and the Sahabah established an Islamic society on earth. Therefore our aim in Dawah should also be to create a strong Muslim society that would make Allah’s Word uppermost in this world. This goal, like the first one, is dependent on the response and is therefore in Allah’s Hands. However, Allah has promised Muslims that He will establish them on earth if they believe and do righteous deeds:
“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (Qur’an, 24:55)
May Allah bless us to fulfil this obligation solely for His pleasure, make us the medium of guidance to others and accept it from us. Ameen.