Dawah (invitation to the righteous path) is the most preferred act assigned to all His Prophets (Peace be upon them) by Allah the Exalted. Towards the fulfilment of this obligation entrusted upon them, the chosen servants of Allah strove hard during their lives, to convey Allah’s message to the people despite many afflictions and hardships.
The Prophetic mission enjoined upon Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to spread the gospel of truth was conveyed through very emphatic words in the Holy Qur’ān. “O Prophet Muhammad. We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a Warner. And as the one who invites to Allah (Islam) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light.” (33:45-46)
Since Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was the last prophet sent by Allah the Exalted to the humanity, doing Dawah has been ordained as the principal task 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, both individuals and groups responsible for this noble cause. Allah the Exalted bestowed the status of “missionary” to each and every follower of Islam.
“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’ān 3:104)
It is therefore to be realised that Dawah is as much a prime responsibility fixed upon all the followers of Islam as other obligations like the offering of Salaat, performing Haj, paying Zakat, etc.
There are some basic attributes and qualities which everyone should acquire before they take up the Dawah work. These aspects can be understood from the verses in the Holy Qur’ān – as Allah guided his prophets through His commandments.
The first and foremost quality that a Da’ee should acquire is Hikmah (wisdom).
“O’Muhammad, 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’ān 16:125).
Good communication skills and presentation style coupled with pleasant mannerism would often make Dawah more effective. Allah commanded Musa (Moses) to adopt a soft and mild approach when He sent him along with his brother Haroun (Aaron) to 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’ān 20:43-44)
The second most important quality a Da’ee should possess is Patience. A Da’ee must show self-restraint in case of hostile reaction, argument, or abuse. In the Qur’ān we find several examples where Allah commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to practise patience.
“O Muhammad! keep patience to what they say and ignore them in a good way” (Qur’ān 73:10)
“And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good” (Qur’ān 11:115)
“And endure you patiently O’ Muhammad, 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’ān 16:127)
By citing examples of previous messengers, Allah the Exalted also consoled Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to maintain restraint, in case there is a rejection to his invitation.
“Verily many Messengers were denied before you O’ Muhammad, 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’ān 6:34)
By interpreting the above verses, we can understand that a Da’ee should develop necessary skills that help him carry out his work in all circumstances and try to maintain a purely graceful approach with eloquent preaching style. This kind of approach will help the Da’ee become more acceptable to people. In case of hostile reaction, a Da’ee should 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, needless argument, and denial; and try to respond in the best possible way.
At the same time, the Da’ee should demonstrate highest moral and ethical behaviour to Muslim and Non-Muslim communities at all times. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “The best among you are those who possess the best manners.” (Bukhari/Muslim)
Another wonderful quality a Da’ee should cultivate is, to make Islam appear easy. The Prophet said as narrated by Anas bin Malik: “Facilitate things for people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them. And give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam).” [Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3, Number 69].
What is more important for anyone doing the Dawah is to have the futuristic approach. He should have the presence of mind to tide over the adversities and wait for the occasion to translate those adversities into opportunities. The Treaty of Hudaybiyah in the 6th year of Hijrah is the best example set by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) in this direction.
A deep analysis and clear understanding of the event will leave us to conclude – that the Hudaybiyah Treaty was the milestone which allowed the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to embark the Dawah at the global level.
After a standoff between the Prophet and the Quraysh, the latter sent envoys to negotiate an agreement. He opted for the peace plan and accepted to turn back to Madina with his 1400 companions without performing Umrah. The conditions accepted by the Prophet made some companions deeply distressed by the apparent backing down of the Prophet in the treaty.
The forethought of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) on the benefits of the treaty made him to accomplish the divine objective of Dawah at the global level. The immediate benefit which could be derived by the treaty was that the danger of attack over Madina retreated to the background.
As the months rolled by, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah turned out to be a political victory for the Muslims. The Messenger of God took best advantage of the political stability to spread the Gospel of Islam to the four corners of the world. He immediately resolved to bring his mission beyond the frontiers of the Arabian Peninsula.
It was the mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to call different people across the world to the fold Allah the Exalted. He launched upon his mission of Dawah to the kings and rulers around him through a letter-writing campaign. These letters were brief and specific from the Dawah point of view.
Each letter showed the political wisdom and statesmanship of the highest order by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). Each messenger was well versed in the language of the court/country where he was sent. The addressees were offered to accept Islam, be brothers and share its blessings. The consequences of rejecting Allah’s guidance on the Day of Judgement were boldly emphasised. The messengers who carried the message were prepared to face the wrath of the tyrant rulers.
Coming back to the point of the responsibility of Dawah upon the Ummah – because it is the task assigned to the followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) to carry the mantle of Dawah till the doomsday – let us recapitulate as to how Deen-e-Islam was nurtured during the nascent times.
Let us bring to our minds as to how the Sahabah faced with courage the stones hurled at them when they were marching round the Ka’bah to make the public proclamation of ONENESS of GOD. How the body of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was drenched in blood in the city of Taif. His flight to Madina leaving behind his homeland for the cause of Dawah. Journeys made by his disciples through the harsh terrains and valleys to carry the message of Islam to the hostile rulers of those days. And finally let us ask the question: How much we are contributing to the cause of Dawah?