Da’wah, calling or inviting people to Islam, is a duty that has been enjoined upon each and every Muslim by Allah (SWT). We are not just responsible for calling the non Muslims to Allah’s Divine Message, but we are responsible for guiding our Muslim brothers and sisters who aren’t practicing Islam back to Allah’s Deen. Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Nahl, “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance” (The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, 16:125). Thus we are commanded to invite all people to the Way of Allah (SWT), but we must do so with a clear knowledge and understanding of Islam and use the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as our guide.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Imran, “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” (The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, 3:104). And again in Surah Fussilat Allah Says, “Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those who bow in Islam’?” (The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, 41:33)

Giving Da’wah to others is not only a duty of the Muslim, it is also a means of gaining tremendous reward from Allah (SWT). Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “He who called people to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.” (Muslim, 4/6470) In another Hadith, Khuraym bin Fatik (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “If anyone makes a contribution towards Allah’s Path, seven hundred times as much will be recorded to his credit” (Tirmidhi, 3826: 1343 and Nasa’i). And finally, Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: The case of a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way; and that of a man whom Allah has given religious wisdom (i.e. Qur’an and Sunnah), and he gives his verdicts according to it and teaches it to others (i.e. religious knowledge of Qur’an and Sunnah)” (Bukhari, 9/419).

We must all strive hard to spread the Truth of Islam to others. This was the way of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and he is for us the best example to follow. Before we begin our efforts, however, we must make sure that we are doing it solely for the sake of Allah (SWT) and to gain His reward only and not to be seen by others or to be praised by them. We must make sure that we are following the teachings that we are attempting to pass on to others. Are we following the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah? Are we enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong?

First and foremost we must start with ourselves. We must do our best to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah because we are what others see as being “Muslim”. We cannot tell a person something and then not practice it ourselves. This sends the wrong message to people and could ultimately lead them astray. We need to ask Allah (SWT) to help us to be among His righteous slaves, and to help us convey His Message clearly. During our Sujud (prostration) in our prayers and before giving Da’wah, we should ask for Allah’s help. “...O my Lord! Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; and remove the impediment from my speech, so they may understand what I say” (The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, 20:25-28). And also, “O my Lord! Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; Grant me honorable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations); Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss” (The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, 26:83-85).

When giving Da’wah we should be confident in our speech and know clearly the information that we are trying to disseminate. If you don’t know something find someone who does know. Always adhere to the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah as the sources of Truth. Be friendly and kind in your approach to others, and invite people to Islam with good words and do not insult. Avoid argumentation and debate and always try to control your anger. Allah says in the Qur’an, “And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury); But say, ‘We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)” (The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, 29:46).

Insha’allah, our Da’wah efforts will be successful if we sincerely seek Allah’s pleasure while inviting others to Islam. We may not always be kindly received by those people we are trying to give Da’wah to, but we must remain patient and hope that Allah SWT will guide them to the Truth. Remember the tremendous struggles the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and his followers were made to endure when calling the people to Islam. They always remained steadfast in their efforts. So we too must continue our efforts regardless of how we are received. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) continued to call people to Allah’s Deen until the day of his death. So we as Believers must strive to call others to the Truth insha’allah until we breathe our last breath. May Allah (SWT) help us in our task, and may He accept our efforts--Ameen