Significance And Characteristics Of Da’wah IlAllah

Dr. Syed Hasanuddin Ahmad

BismIllah irRahman irRahim, Wassalato Wasalamo ala Rasulehil Kareem

Allah SWT says in Suratush Shura ( 42: 14,15 )

And they divided not till after knowledge had come to them, through(selfish

) transgression between themselves. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have been settled between them. And verily, those who were made to inherit the Scripture (i.e. Torah and Gospel) after them (i.e. Jews and Christians) are in grave doubt concerning it ( i.e. Allah’s true religion – Islam or the Qur’an).

So unto this (religion of Islam and this Qur’an) then invite, and stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their desires but say, “ I believe in whatsoever Allah has sent down of the Book, and I am commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us is our deeds and for you your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will assemble us, and to Him is the final return.”

In these verses one can easily note that, first of all, some reasons have been provided which necessitate the work of da’wah. Then, some of the points have been mentioned to which one has to invite. Lastly, the caller has been advised to have some characteristics. In order to study these points in details, this article has been divided into the following sections:

1) Why is da’wah necessary?

2) What is da’wah itself?

3) Some characteristics of a da’ee.

4) Some useful means and techniques of da’wah.

1.Why Is Da’wah Necessary?

Let us first understand the meaning of da’wah ilAllah. The meaning of the word da’wah in Arabic is call or invitation. The meaning of ilAllah is towards Allah. Thus the meaning of the full phrase is invitation or call towards Allah.

Allah says that after books had been revealed, and prophets had been sent to preach the TRUTH, people transgressed and differed among themselves. The main causes of these transgressions and differences were the desires to (1) show and enforce one’s wisdom, (2) seek power, (3) raise one’s flag over the others, (4) remain stubborn in one’s opinions, (5) defeat and destroy one’s opposition, (6) and acquire wealth. These in turn led the people to design, practice, and preach

(a) new beliefs,

(b) new philosophies,

(c) new rituals of worship, and

(d) new codes of life.

These teachings were mixed with human philosophies, and ideas.The true teachings of the prophets and the books were lost. That is why people lost confidence in the so-called teachings of prophets. This in turn led to doubt and suspicion. This was the prevalent situation all over the world. Thus, in order to teach the Truth, Prophet Muhammad SAW was sent to this world.

Let us now look at the mission of the Prophet SAW in detail.

(a) Regarding the mission of the Prophet SAW Allah SWT says,

Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner. And as one who invites to Allah by His leave and as a lamp spreading light.(33: 46).

His role was then to bear witness, give glade tidings to those who accept his call, and warn people, in general, of the consequences of their wrong beliefs and undesirable actions and deeds. He was to invite people towards Allah for their salvation. He played the role of a lamp to guide people to the light i.e. the true path.

(b) The Prophet SAW was also ordered by Allah to magnify Allah above all.

Arise, and warn. And magnify thy Lord.(74: 2,3)

(c) The Qur’an was, also, revealed for the same purpose as well as to warn about the Day of Judgment,

And thus We have revealed to you a Qur’an in Arabic that you may warn the mother of towns and all around it, and warn of the Day of Assembly of which there is no doubt( 42: 7).

(d) Thus, the purpose of da’wah is to lead mankind to Qur’an which in turn leads it out of darkness into light,

A book which We have revealed unto you to lead mankind out of darkness into light(14: 1).

(e) One can not fail to note that after describing the three categories of men, the first call which Allah SWT gives is for his own worship,

O’ mankind, worship your Lord who created you and who were before you.(2: 21)

(f) One also should note that Allah SWT assigns the same duties to Muslim ummah which were assigned to the Prophet SAW. The Prophet was sent to witness the Truth, and now this responsibility rests with the ummah, as it is the successor of the Prophet SAW.

That the messenger may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind.

( 22: 78)

The same duties are mentioned again, in a different way, as follows.

Thus We have made you a just nation that you may be witnesses over mankind

( 2: 143)

This nation is the moderate one. It does not indulge in extreme actions. Its place is in the center of the nations. It has been raised to enjoin Maarouf (virtue), and forbid Munkar(vices),

You are the best of people ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin AlMaarouf and forbid AlMunkar.( 3: 110 )

(g) For some one, after he embraces Islam, the first and most preferred action is to call towards Allah. Allah SWT himself assigns this duty of inviting people towards Him to Muslims,

And who is better in speech than he invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says I am one of the Muslims( 41: 33).

(h)The Prophet advised Muslims to communicate his teachings to others. He said,

“ Communicate from me even though it may be one verse”( Abdullah Ibn Umar RA, Bukhari).This order is to all Muslim male and female, young or old, lettered or unlettered, Arab or Non Arab alike.

( i) Deen is advice. The Prophet SAW said, “ Deen is advice”. We asked for whom Ya RasulAllah. He said, “ For the sake of Allah, His Prophet, His Book, your leader, and for all the people.” ( Tamim Dari RA, Muslim). So every Muslim has this duty of advising to others towards Allah. The same advice is given by Allah SWT, when He says,

By AlA’sr. Verily man is in loss. Except those who believe, and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth, and recommend one another to patience ( 103: 1-3).
It is reported that the companions of the Prophet SAW would not leave each other unless they had recited this surah to each other.

( j ) Hazrat Ali has been reported to have said, “ By Allah, to guide some one towards Allah SWT is much better than to own red camels ( Bukhari, Muslim). Red camels used to be the most precious possession at that time. This signifies that getting busy in inviting people towards Allah SWT has no parallel action or deed equivalent in wealth or reward.

(k) To save mankind from punishment, it is a must that da’wah should be extended to those who are ignorant or are on the wrong path,

Messengers are bearers of good news and warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the messengers( 4: 165).

2. What Is Da’wah IlAllah?

After knowing the importance of da’wah, we shall now study different aspects, and off shoots of da’wah ilAllah itself .

(a) The first and basic da’wah is to call people towards Allah, to worship Him alone, and not to associate someone with Him

Say, “ I am commanded only to worship Allah and not to join partners with Him. To Him I call , and to Him I return.”( 13: 36)

Some other place, the Qur’an says the same thing in a different way,

My Lord, and your Lord is Allah, so worship Him. ( 3: 51 )

Yet again in a different way, the basic da’wah has been described in Surah AlIkhlas as follows,

Say, “ He is Allah the One. Allah The Self –Sufficient Master. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”( 112: 1-4 )

This clearly shows that Allah is One. None is His equal or related. Thus, Jesus and Ezra were only the prophets of Allah. They were not sons of Allah, as regarded by Christians or Jews respectively. Another point to note is that none should be associated with him, either in person, qualities, rights, or authority. If someone regards someone as son of Allah, he is associating with His self. If someone regards someone as all knowing, an association in His quality of all knowing is made. If someone treats some other as having power of giving cure, life, or wealth, an association in His authority is made. Thus, Hindus’ belief that Laxmi is the goddess of wealth is association with Allah. Similarly, if some rites of worship are performed to please someone other than Allah, an association in worship is made. Thus da’wah of Tauhid (Unity) should be extended, to those who associate with Allah, to save them from the doom. Allah SWT says that He will never forgive shirk( association with Him),

Verily, Allah never forgives the action that someone be associated with Him. And forgives ,other than association, to whom so ever He likes( 4: 116).

Calling towards Allah also means to call towards Islam, to convince people that they should lead their lives according to the teachings of Islam, and to strive to establish its system of life;

in other words to worship only Allah, to seek help only from Him, to obey only Him , to absolve oneself from the following and obedience of others, to enjoin virtues, and to erase vices.

Two natural corollaries of this basic da’wah are to invite people towards the Last Prophet Of Allah , Muhammad SAW; and His Words i.e. AlQur’an. Because their teachings are the only true way to ALLAH. Let us first , then, look into some points of these offshoots of da’wah.

( i ) Muhammad SAW was a true prophet of Allah. His teachings are the same as those of the prophets before him.

Let us first look into a question which is generally raised against his Prophethood. The question is “ How come instead of some one from sons of Israel , a person from sons of Ishmael was sent as a prophet? “ Allah SWT answers this question in the following manner:

He sends down the angels with the Spirit of His command to whom of His slaves He wills to warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped but I, so fear Me ( 16:2 ).

Another point to prove his prophethood is that when he started to call his people towards the unity of God, his life was like an open book to them. They used to call him Ameen(Trustworthy).He referred to his life as a point of argument to his opponents. The Qura’n says,

Verily, I have stayed amongst you a life time before this. Have you then no sense?( 10: 16)

Some of the opponents had accused him of suffering from epilepsy. This indeed was a ridiculous, and deplorable accusation. A man, in a fit of epilepsy, does not utter coherent words, and then does not remember those words after the fit is over. Are the words of Qur’an incoherent? On the other hand, he presents Qur’an as his miracle. “Every prophet was presented with a miracle for his people. My miracle is the words of Allah” ( Abu Hurairah RA, Bukhari).

( ii ) The Qur’an, he presented, is Word of God. The Prophet SAW was an unlettered man. He did not know how to read , and write. He was never known to have spoken or compiled any poetry before. Quran, itself, throws a challenge to all mankind to compose even one chapter like its own, when it says

Say, “ Bring then a Surah like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can besides Allah”( 10: 38 ).

Some other place, Allah takes the guarantee of preserving the book in its true form,

Verily, We, it is We who have sent down the Dhikr( Qur’an ) and surely, We will guard it( from corruption)( 15: 9 ).

And, up till now, it is a fact that all other books have been corrupted in the form of additions, deletions, or alterations in the original text, except Qur’an.

Another important point is to know that Science has not been able to contradict a single statement of Qur’an. Maurice Bucaille, a well known scientist writes, “ The Qur’an did not contain a single statement that was assailable from the modern scientific point of view”( The Bible, the Qur’an and Science, 1978ed.).

We now look into the other different aspects of The Da’wah.

(b) One of the aspect is to call people to the right religion. The best way of life is to sincerely worship Allah alone, and to perform the required rituals. Allah SWT says.

And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him alone, and perform AsSalat and give Zakat, and that is the right religion.(98: 5)

(c) Another important point of dawah is to inform the people that the Prophet SAW was not the founder of a new religion. There is only one religion from Allah. Every prophet from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus have called people to the same religion. The Quran says

Say, “We believe in Allah and in what has been sent to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob, and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between them, to Him we have submitted.” ( 3: 84)

So the natural corollary is that Islam invites people to follow the same religion as that of all those great prophets. Allah SWT says

Follow the religion of Abraham, who was upright and not from the polytheists

( 3: 95).

(d) Another important aspect of dawah is to call people to obey Allah and His Prophet in all matters, and not just to a few selected deeds and rituals

O’ You who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those of you who are in authority.( 4: 59 )

(e) Yet another aspect is to call people to purify themselves.

And say to him, “ Would you purify yourself? And I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him.”( 79: 18,19 )

Purification here means not only of body, or dress, but of spirit, knowledge, and beliefs as well. One should purify his beliefs regarding the Creator, and Lord of this entire universe. One should purify one’s knowledge regarding His books, prophets, Day of Judgment, and life after death. One should purify one’s character, and way of life towards one’s Lord, fellow human beings, His other creatures, as well as one’s own soul and body.

(f) Another point of da’wah is to invite people to a Just and Common Word. Allah SWT says,

Say, “ O’ people of book come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah.”( 3:64 )

(g) This is also the duty of a da’ee that he should invite people to Good( of all aspect of life), to enjoin Maarouf( virtues), and to forbid Munkar( vices).The Quran says,

Let there be a group of people among you inviting to all that is good, enjoining Maroof, and forbidding Munkar.( 3: 104)

(h) A da’ee has to invite people to establish justice in the society.

Indeed We have sent our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture, and the balance that the mankind may establish justice.( 57: 25 )

This means the purpose of the prophets and the books is to establish justice in the world. This is exactly what is meant in the verses under consideration, when Allah SWT tells the Prophet SAW to say,

And I am commanded to do justice among you.( 42: 15 )

That is to propagate justice and shun group favor, no distinction among the mankind for the Truth should be made as all are equal.

The importance of justice can easily be understood by the fact Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique RA, after assuming the charge of the Caliphate, told the Muslims in his first speech that Allah has ordered them to safe guard His system of justice.

(i ) A da’ee must also invite people to get their past sins erased by accepting Islam or by sincere repentance, and get rewards from Allah SWT. Allah says,

So that Allah may expiate from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do( 39:35).

( j ) A da’ee must invite people to practice the teachings of the Prophet SAW for which he was sent to mankind as a great favor. One such teaching is to be kind and benevolent to one’s kith and kin. We all know the story that when Heraclius of Rome received the da’wah letter of the Prophet SAW, he summoned Abu Sufian RA to his court. He asked him about the teachings of the Prophet SAW. Abu Sufian RA said, “ He orders us to worship Allah, to offer prayers to Him, to pay zakat, to keep good relations with our kith and kin, and to be chaste”( Abdullah Ibn Abbas RA, Bukhari ). Another such teaching is to be chaste in life. Thus one should invite others to chastity, and control. One should control one’s desires, impulses, and urges of doing things which are illegal, amoral, and against the teachings of Qur’an, and the Prophet SAW.

( k ) In another hadees(tradition), the Prophet SAW tells us about his dawah. He was, once, asked by Amar Bin Absa RA to tell him his mission of Prophethood. The prophet SAW said, " I have been sent to teach you to be benevolent to your kith and kin, to abolish idolatry, to believe in unity of Allah, and not to associate some one with Allah.”( Muslim).

( l ) An important aspect of da’wah is to invite people to preach and practice the freedom of man from the slavery of man, and to establish brotherhood among them. Mugheera Bin Shuba RA, a Muslim emissary, had explained the teachings of the Prophet SAW to the Chief of Iranian Forces in the following words,

“We are not traders. We do not aim to look for markets. We are the flag bearers of the right Deen. Allah is one. Muhammad is his Prophet. Qur’an is Allah's command. Man is not a slave of man. All men are brothers to each other”(AlBidaya WanNehaya).

3. Characteristics Of A Da’ee

Now that we know what is da’wah ilAllal, let us look into some of the most important characteristics of a person who has a duty to extend the da’wah to others i.e. a da’ee.

( 1 ) First of all a da’ee should be firm in his belief that Islam is true religion. He should not have any doubt about that this is the religion of Allah SWT. Allah Himself says that
Verily the Deen with Allah is Islam( 3: 19)

( 2) The second most important thing for a da’ee is his manners. A da’ee should have good manners. It is a must for the faith. The Prophet SAW is quoted as saying that those believers are perfect in faith who have good manners( Abu Dawood).
( 3)The third most important requirement is the knowledge. A da’ee should have a good grasp of the knowledge to which he is inviting. He should have a good working knowledge of Islam, Qur’an, Hadees, History, Literature, Sociology, Science, Current Affairs, and the books and teachings of other religions, and cultures etc. Understanding of Deen’s teachings is a favor of Allah. The Prophet SAW is quoted as saying that Allah bestows the understanding of the religion on those whom He wants to favor.(Muawiyya RA, Bukhari). Therefore, a da’ee must endevour to seek Allah’s favor, and acquire the understanding of the Deen, as Allah SWT advises that
Say, “ This is my way, I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and who so ever follows me”( 12: 108).
A da’ee should be fully aware of the vices of the society in which he is moving around, such as crimes, sex and drugs in teenagers, divorce rate, the disintegration of family life, neglect of parents and relatives, cruelties and injustices committed on Muslims, and their nations all over the world, etc.
(4) A da’ee must join an organization to impart da’wah. It gives him strength and support. This is the command of Allah SWT. He says,
There should be a group of people among you who invite towards good( 3: 104)
Also, “Hold fast the rope of Allah together”( 3: 103).

There is a hadees which says that Allah’s hand is over the jamaat. Whoever leaves jamaat, goes to fire.

(5) A da’ee must strive for self-purification. Da’wah work itself also helps in purifying the da’ee , when he is criticized for his loose behavior. Allah advises the same.
Fear Allah, and purify yourself ( 8:1)
Also, in another place He says

And purify your garments. And keep away from the dirt(sin)( 74: 4-5).

(6) A da’ee must do proper prior planning. He should specify objectives, enumerate and estimate resources, choose proper time and place. He should equip himself with proper materials, such as pocket Qur’an, booklets, cassettes, pamphlets, newspaper cuttings, notebook, and pen or pencil etc.

(7) A da’ee should develop good speaking, writing, and computer skills. Now a days all three of the techniques are being used to propagate one’s point of view.

(8) A da’ee should develop in himself the quality of patience. Allah SWT also advises for patience, when He says,

And endure you patiently, your patience is not but from Allah( 16: 127).

(9)Toleration, and forgiveness are two other qualities which a da’ee must develop in himself. Although a da’ee is allowed to avenge when he has power, he has been advised to forgive, and have patience. Allah SWT says,

And if you punish, then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily it is better for the patients( 16: 126).

And by the mercy of Allah, you dealt with them kindly. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have certainly broken away from you( 3: 159).
A very good advice has been given by Hasan Albanna Shaheed. He said that one should be like a tree. People throw stones at it, and it, in return, drops fruits to them. So a da’ee should be patient, as Allah SWT Himself says

So wait with patience or the decision of your Lord, and be not like the companion of the fish – when he cried out while he was in deep sorrow( 68: 48)

A story is narrated about the Prophet SAW that an old woman used to throw garbage from her balcony over the Prophet SAW whenever he used to pass through her street. One day she did not throw the garbage. The Prophet SAW inquired about her. He was told that the woman was sick. He went to visit her at her sickbed. Such should be the attitude of a da’ee.

(10) Another good quality of a da’ee is Taqwa( Piety ). He should always be fearful of Allah in his heart. Allah SWT says to all Muslims,

O’ you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared( 3: 102)

(11) A da’ee should always be just in his dealings. It is required of all Muslims. Allah SWT orders that

O’ you who believe, stand out firm for justice, as witness to Allah, even though it may be against yourself, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor ( 4: 135).

(12) A da’ee should be soft spoken. He should never use harsh words, or satire or pun in his dawa. Allah SWT advised Prophet Moses AS and Prophet Aaron AS to be soft spoken in front of Pharaoh. He said,

And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear( 20: 44).

(13) A da’ee should be moderate in his behavior, and attitude. This is an advice of the Prophet SAW to all his followers. He says, “ Beware, Do not be extremist. Because of extremism people before you have been destroyed( Abdullah Ibn Abbas RA, Bukhari).

(14) A da’ee should be dynamic, and zealous in dawah work. He should burn his blood to light the lamp of his mission. He should try to follow the Sunnah in this regard. Allah SWT says about the Prophet SAW,

Perhaps you would kill yourself in grief over their steps because they believe not in this narration( 18: 6)
The Prophet SAW himself described his condition as,” My example is like the man who lighted the fire, and moths are falling in it. I am holding you with your waist to keep you safe from the fire”(Mishkawt).
(15) We shall now look into some dos, and don’ts which a da’ee must observe through out his life. Let us first look at the dos.

(a) Some Dos
A da’ee should develop strong relationship with his Lord, and Creator. To develop this relationship, he must develop and practice the following traits, and habits.
( i) He should constantly seek help from Allah with night prayer, and patience
O’ you who believe seek help with patience, and prayer ( 2: 153 ).
O’ you wrapped in garments. Stand all night, except a little. Half of it or a little less than that. Or a little more. And recite the Qur’an in a slow style ( 73: 1-4).

(ii) He should spend money in the path of Allah(Infaq) to seek nearness to Him.

And of bedouins, there are some who believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment, and look upon what they spend in Allah’s cause as means of nearness to Allah, and a cause of receiving the Messenger’s invocation. Indeed these are a means of nearness for them( 9: 99).

(iii) He should do his utmost for a just or good cause, and then leave the result to Allah SWT. Allah says

And put your trust in the Almighty, The Most Merciful, Who sees you when you stand up( 26: 217,218).

(iv) He should, not only safe guard, but fulfil the rights of other people in the society. The Prophet SAW had narrated a long story of three travelers. To seek refuge from the storm, they went into a cave. The mouth of the cave got blocked with a large chunk of stone, which came rolling over and closed the cave. They decided to seek Allah’s help by calling Him, and narrating their good deeds which they had done to other people for His sake only. The stone started moving a little bit with the prayer of each traveler. It finally moved away from the mouth to open it completely, as soon as the third traveler finished his prayer( Abdullah Ibn Umar RA, Muttafaq Alaihi).

(v) A da’ee should constantly call Allah( DU’A) for His help. The following dua is reported to have been taught by Hazrat Ali RA, “ O’ Allah bestow upon me your obedience, and the obedience to your Prophet”( Tabrani). And, of course, Allah helps every body who strives in His cause.

Verily, Allah will help those who help His cause( 22: 40).

(vi) A da’ee should quite often recite darood(salat) for the Prophet SAW. He should develop this as a habit. The Prophet SAW had told Ubai Bin Ka’ab that if he were to recite darood all the time it would suffice for his prayers( Tirmizi).

(vii) A da’ee should constantly repent his sins, and seek His forgiveness (Istighfar).Allah SWT says in a Hadees Qudsi, “So, seek my forgiveness, I shall forgive you.” ( Abu Zar RA, Muslim).

(b) Some Don’ts

We shall now discuss some of the points, and deeds which a da’ee must always avoid.

(i ) A da’ee should not take part in the discussion if the verses of Allah are being ridiculed
And when you see those who indulge in false conversation about our verses by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic( 6: 68).
And leave them alone who take their religion as play and amusement ( 6: 70).
(ii ) A da’ee should not degrade himself. On the other hand, he should be dignified.
So be patient. Verily the promise of Allah is true; and let not those who have no certainty of faith discourage you from conveying Allah’s message( 30; 60)
(iii) A da'ee should not be disheartened because of bigger and powerful numbers of opposition. He should remember that

And to Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and to him return all affairs. So worship Him and put your trust in Him ( 11: 123 )

(iv) A da’ee should never be afraid of propaganda against him. There will be accusations, cruelties, and mistreatments but he should never give up the mission, or succumb to greed.

Say, O' disbelievers, I worship not that which you worship( 99: 1,2 ).

( v ) A da’ee should never compromise on his mission. Allah SWT says,

So do not obey the deniers. They wish that you should compromise with them, so they would compromise with you(68:8,9)

A da’ee should always remember the fact that even prophets had enemies.

Thus We have made for every prophet an enemy among the wrong doers. But your Lord is sufficient as a guide and helper( 25: 31 )

A da’ee should always stand firm, and never compromise, or follow the desires of those who have gone astray.

And stand firm as you are commanded, and follow not their desires(42:15),

and whatever be the consequences,

And those who disbelieved, said to their messengers, " Surely, we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion."( 14: 13).

Standing firm is the trait which has been emphasized by Allah, as well as the Prophet SAW,
“ LO. Those who say, our sustainer is Allah and steadfastly pursue the write way, upon them do angels descend”(41: 30).

The Prophet SAW has advised to believers that they should proclaim their belief, and then tand fast on it.

We shall illustrate our point with the lives of the Prophet SAW, other prophets, and some determined, and pious peoples as well.

We all know that as soon as Prophet SAW started to preach, the whole society became his enemy. The matters got from bad to worse. He remained firm and refused to budge. Once the chiefs of different tribes came to his uncle, Abu Talib, and complained to him against the mission of the prophet SAW. They wanted him to stop his preaching of Tauhid. In return they were ready to accommodate his worldly demand of money, power, or marriage, if any. But the Prophet SAW said, "Let them put sun in my one hand and the moon in my second. I would not give up preaching unity of Allah."

In another story , Utabah bin Rabiah offered to make him king, marry him to the woman he liked, give him gold and silver, or even to arrange for his treatment. The Prophet SAW recited the verses of Surah Ham Meem Assajdah to him, and told him that he had heard his reply.

It is also well known that the disbelievers would drop goats over him while he used to pray. They would throw dirt and refuse over his food. They would throw nails and thorny bush at his door. They used to hit him with stones in the bazaar. They used to express delight, and celebrate the deaths of his children.

The prophet SAW used to say that the day of Aqaba was the hardest on him. On his mission to Taif, street urchins, and boys were throwing stones at the Prophet SAW. He was profusely bleeding. The angels asked his permission to collide the two hills to crush the transgressors. “ No perhaps Allah may guide them, and their off springs may accept Islam some day” was his reply.

Abu Jahl used to disturb the prayer of the prophet SAW in the Haram. Allah SWT mentions this Qur’an,

Have you seen him who prevents a slave when he prays?( 96: 9,10 ).

Prophet Abraham AS was thrown into the pyre of fire, but he did not compromise. Allah SWT mentions this in the Quran as

We said, “ O’ Fire, Be you coolness, and safety for Ibrahim”( 21: 69).

Prophet Jesus AS was betrayed by his own people to the Romans. Prophet John AS got beheaded, but did not compromise.

In olden days, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Imam Ibn Taimiyya, Imam Mujaddid Alf Sani all were imprisoned, and suffered a lot but none of them compromised.

In present day life, Maulana Abul Ala Maudoodi was sentenced to death, besides several time imprisonments. Syed Qutub Shaheed, and Abdul Qadir Audah Shaheed both were put to death. But all of them stood firm and did not compromise.

(vi) A da’ee should never use derogatory, or insulting language for others, specially for those whom some people love or hold them in high regards. Allah SWT says,

And insult not those whom they worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge( 6: 108).

(vii) A da’ee should always avoid answer to a question which may offend others, or may not be of liking to others. When Pharaoh asked Prophet Moses AS about the fate of his dead elders, Prophet Moses did not give a direct answer to him. Instead, He said

The knowledge there of is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord neither errs, nor He forgets( 20: 52).

4. Some Useful Means And Techniques Of D’awah

We shall now look into some of the useful methodologies, and techniques through which da’wah work can be carried on. Da’wah work can be done on one or all of the following bases. (i)one-to-one, (ii) a group-to-one, (iii) one-to-a group, (iv) a group-to-a group, (v) writings and publications, (vi) photographs, audio and video cassettes, and TV, (vii) internet, and ( viii) social work( including charity, and money spending).

In general, a very effective, and frank work is done on one-to-one basis i.e. one da’ee talks to one person at a suitable time. In this method, the person to whom da’wah is being conveyed feels at home, and secure. He talks freely, and brings forth his feelings, and thinking regarding the point under discussion. If there is a need, the conversation can be conducted in private as well. Prophet Noah AS conveyed the da’wah both ways. He reported to Allah that,

Then verily I called to them openly. Then verily I proclaimed to them in public, and I proclaimed to them in private( 71: 8,9)

Another effective way is to form a group of a few people( da’ees), and then convey the da’wah to an individual. In such a group, the members support and strengthen each other in the da’wah work. There should be one leader of the group. The members should perform only those duties which were assigned to them by the group. The members should not interfere, or add any thing on their own initiative, while some one is talking, unless asked by the leader. It is always necessary for the da’ees, individual or group, to prepare themselves in advance with necessary information regarding their addressee, or da’wah itself. After every meeting, the da’ee or group should evaluate the out come of the meeting, and make proper changes in the approach, if needed.

In one-to- a group method, a da’ee should talk on only those topics, which are either agreed in advance, or are of general interest. These topics should deal with duties or obligations. Only those literature should be distributed which are related to the topic. This method is suitable for periodic meetings of teachings of Qur’an, corner meetings, and seminars etc. Display of charts, or photographs, and writings should also be done, along with talks.

In group-to-group method, different da’ees speak on different aspects of dawah, either at the same time to different audience, or one after the other to the same audience. The conventions, public meetings, debates, and symposiums are some of the examples of this method. The speeches, talks, and discussions all should be available to the audience at large, either in full or in summary writings, or in cassettes. This helps those who try, to seek the Truth, to fall back and contemplate on the contents. Displays of charts, photographs, movies, computer soft wares, magazines, journals, books, and wall papers are very effective means of da’wah in this method, as well.

There are a lot of people who like to read at their suitable time. Most of the intelligentsia falls in this category. These are the people who produce literature, not only in favor, or against the prevalent ideas and philosophies, but put up new ideas as well. This need will always be there. Thus, forceful and appealing writings on da’wah should be available, according to the trend, and culture. New books, journals, magazines, news papers, letters etc., containing materials on da’wah, in order to propagate it and refute the false allegations against it, should be published on regular basis. These should be distributed, and circulated among large audiences.

Now a days, the life is so busy that only a small percentage of people can afford to participate in meetings, or gatherings. The best way to reach them for dawah is through audio, video cassettes, TV programs, or photographs. One can listen cassettes while driving, doing house hold jobs, taking rest at home, in the bus or train, on the farms, or other places. This method is not only very powerful, but is also easily available to common man. One can easily understand its effectiveness by looking at the history of current Iranian revolution. Imam Khomeini had very successfully propagated his views to his people in Iran through audio cassettes. Similarly, photographs, TV’s, and videos are also the surest way to register the message in the minds of peoples.

The latest technique for transferring the ideas or messages to every body’s home, eyes, and mind is internet. The internet is flooded with all sorts of things. A lot of networks are propagating materials against Islam and Muslims. There is a need that da’wah be given on internet. Different Muslim organizations should make it a policy that they will not relay materials against each other. On the other hand, all of them should relay the materials which give the united picture of Muslim world. Also, they should invest their money, time, and energy in clarifying the false, and misleading materials, and information against Islam.

Probably the most powerful and effective method of da’wah is the social work of a da’ee. A da’ee should get fully involved in the welfare, and assistance of the society in which he moves around. He should make the society feel that he is indispensable for it. Let the people know that the da’ee practices fully what he preaches. Let them realize that he fully shares their sorrows, and happiness. Famous Urdu poet Ghalib had truly lamented the lack of help, and participation in sorrows by his friends. He said in a famous line of his poetry, “ What type of friendship is this that all of the friends have become only admonishers. Why do not they make the mare go for him, or try to diminish or console his sorrow?” A da’ee should be a friend in need, and a friend in deed. A friend in need can never be an enemy. A da’ee must remember that a sermon by life is better than words. Let us recall a beautiful story of the Great Da’ee, our Prophet SAW. One day, he was passing through a lane, when he saw an old woman standing by the side of the lane with her luggage on the ground. He approached her, and asked her where did she want to go , if he could help her. She told him that, in the town of Makkah, a man called Muhammad(SAW) had disturbed the peace of the town. He had caused young ones to renounce the religion of their elders. He had divided the families. She, therefore, did not want to live in that town any more. She wanted to leave the town, and go on the outskirts of the town, and live there. She asked him if he could help her by carrying her luggage with her to the desired village. He readily picked up the luggage on his shoulders, and carried it with her to the village. He put down the luggage where he was asked by the woman. He asked the woman, if he could do any thing else. She asked him his name. He said, “ Mother, I am the same man Muhammad, you were talking about.” She was taken aback. How can a person be the enemy of the society, when he knowingly carries the load of a woman who was talking against him? He certainly is the well wisher, and sincere. She embraced Islam right then, and there. The mother recognized her son, and came back to the mother of the towns with its son. Indeed, for a da’ee, the life of the Rasul Allah SAW is a good example to follow. There are many ahadees in this regard. We shall study here a few of them to understand the depth of social work. All these have been narrated by Bukhari. In one of the ahadees, the Prophet SAW advised to help people in their tasks, or do them on their behalf(Abu Zar RA). In another one, he advised to pour water from one’s bucket into some one else bucket( Jabir RA). Yet in another one, he advised to give rides to other people by one’s own means of transport( Abu Hurairah RA). In the same hadees, he advised to carry others’ luggage., and to remove stones and rocks from the streets, and paths. In one of the ahadees, he ordered all Muslims to give charity. He said that if some one is poor, he should go out, earn money and then give charity( Abu Musa RA). In one hadees, he said that if some one helps his brother, Allah SWT will help him on the Day of Judgment( Abdullah Ibn Umar RA).

We have studied, in details, of some means, and techniques of imparting dawah. However, unorganized, haphazard, or crude use of these techniques will never yield the desired result. There is an utmost need of using effective, and productive words or sentences, either in speech, writings, or photographs to communicate the dawah to other peoples. How, then, to decide what words, either in speech, or in writings, a da’ee should use, in order to win the hearts? For this, a da’ee must seek guidance from Allah SWT Himself, and the teachings of the Prophet SAW. Allah SWT says,

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom( Hikmah), and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided( 16: 125).

Allah SWT has mentioned three different approaches in this verse. The first one is the use of wisdom i.e. Hikmah, the second one is fair preaching, and the third one is advancing better arguments. We shall now discuss these one by one, and see how the prophets, and sahabas had acted upon these.

(a)Hikmah:
The meaning of this word is not only wisdom, but reign as well. A reign is used to control, and turn the direction of an animal. Hikmah is also a reign. It helps in controlling, turning, and maneuvering the da’wah under different circumstances. Hikmah has also been termed as the faculty of distinction between the Truth and the falsehood. Hikmah is also regarded as a quality which saves a man from committing an error. Thus, a da’ee is using Hikmah if he adopts different methods, and techniques keeping in mind the time, place, environment, persons, emotions, likings, love, hate and such other factors. Hikmah is a quality, which is a great bounty from Allah. Allah SWT says,
He grants Hikmah to whom He wills, and he, to whom Hikmah is granted, is granted abundant good( 2: 269).
We shall now see how to apply some salient features of Hikmah in da’wah.
( i ) Before a da’ee goes out of his residence, or starts talking to his family members on da’wah mission, he should offer two rakats of nafil salat, and pray to Allah SWT for his help, and guidance. The best prayer may be the one offered by Prophet Moses As, as mentioned by Allah,
“ O’ my Lord, open for me my chest. And ease my task for me. And loose the knot from my tongue. And they understand my speech”( 20:25-28).
Another point which a da’ee should remember is to keep dawah materials handy, such as cassettes, booklets, handouts, cuttings of papers, and relevant articles and news etc. Also a da’ee should be clean, and attired in civilized and good looking way. He should be mentally prepared to face rebukes, insults, ridicules, criticism, excuses, neglect, and such other offensive acts or talks etc. Patience, and toleration should be his shields to keep his own emotions, anger, and sorrow under control. Let us look at an example set by the Prophet SAW. Once the Prophet SAW was talking to a villager in the mosque. The villager felt the call of nature to urinate. He urinated right there in the mosque. Some sahabas( companions of the Prophet SAW) ran to him to admonish him. The Prophet SAW told them to leave him alone, and reminded them that they have been raised to make ease, and not create difficulty. He then asked them to wash the place with the water( Abu Hurairah RA, Bukhari). On the contrary, a real story of today’s attitude of intolerance on the part of some da’ees was narrated to me. There was a darse Qur’an meeting of ladies being held in a city. Some young girls of teen age were also present in that meeting. They were with full make ups of lipsticks, nail polish etc. At the time of prayer, they also stood to offer prayer. They were admonished, not allowed to pray, and were forced to sit aside because of their make ups. Unfortunately, in some other city, a similar attitude was adopted by the sisters of Islam. In darse Qur’an meetings, a lady used to attend without proper hijab. In every dars, she was being criticized for not wearing hijab. I was told that she later stopped attending the dars. This reminds me of a story narrated by Muawiyya Bin Hakeem about himself. He said that some body sneezed during the salat. He said to hm May Allah have mercy on you, while both were praying. People started gazing at him. He, again talked to them during the salat, and said May Allah keep them alive, why did they gaze at him. They asked him by signs to keep quiet. When the salat was over, the Prophet SAW advised him, very amicably, never to talk, or speak while he was in prayer(Bukhari). It seems the Hikmah of gradual da’wah, and teaching was not practiced by the sisters. So let us now look at this second salient feature of Hikmah in da’wah.
(ii) Da’wah should be extended gradually:
When Prophet SAW appointed Muadh Ibn Jabal RA as governor of Yemen, he advised him to adopt a step by step approach in his mission. He said,” First invite towards Tauhid. When they accept it, ask them to offer prayers. When they start praying, get zakat from rich people and distribute it among their poor.”( Bukhari).
This step by step approach is natural. If some one is sleeping, you can not extend da’wah to him. He must fully be awakened. Once he is fully ready to grasp your invitation, extend your da’wah to him. The following gradual approach would probably prove useful.
(a) A da’ee must first make good and happy acquaintance, and increase the friendly relationship as time passes. It would be better if he invites his relatives first to Allah SWT. Allah SWT says,
And warn your tribe of near kindred( 26:214)
It not only helps a da’ee in his mission but strengthens him as well. A confidence is built in the society that his teachings or invitation are definitely beneficial. Otherwise, he would not invite his near and dears. A da’ee generally should not try to talk about his da’wah in the first meeting. He should wait for the time when confidence, and respect are built up.(b) Next comes the stage when one can discuss the nature, and effects of evils, and vices.(c) At this stage the relationship between man and his creator should be talked about.(d) Next, he should try to inculcate among the people, whom he has selected for the da’wah, a desire to know about Islam, and its teachings.(e) As soon as the da’ee senses that the desire is there to know about Islam, he should provide suitable cassettes, and booklets to listen or and read. These literature should be in general of undisputed nature on the topics of faith, beliefs, worship, and moral values etc. (f) This is the stage when invitation to Islam should be presented. Most desirable way of inviting people to Islam is to invite them for a meal; and then after the meal is over, the invitation to Islam be extended. This is a way which the Prophet SAW had adopted. (g) After one has embraced Islam, he should be taught the requirements of being a Muslim in order to establish Islam.(h) Then, he should be taught that in order to establish Islam, one has to lead a life in jamaat with those who are busy in the same mission. (i) Once someone realizes the need of a jamaat, he should be helped in choosing the right one. The one which advocates right beliefs, and trains its workers according to the system enunciated by Qur’an and Sunnah. The one which is fully organized, and disciplined; runs its affairs on the basis of consultations(shura), and participation of its workers; has world wide appeal, and links which nullifies the concept of regionalism; has plans, knowledge, and motivated workers to spread, and preach Islam in total, and not some specific aspect only i.e. the jamaat whose aim is to establish Islam over all spheres of life.
(iii) Inclination, and emotions of listeners must be judged before dawah is extended. Hazrat Ali has been reported to have said that every heart has some inclination, and emotions. At certain time, the people are inclined to listen, and some other time they are not. Extend dawah only when they are ready to listen. If you force them, they become blind to the light(Bukhari).
(iv) Dawah should be extended at proper time, and opportunity, otherwise it may backfire. Once the Prophet SAW told a mother of believers Hazrat Aisha RA that the actual foundations of Kaabah contain Hateem( an area adjacent to Kaabah, surrounded by semicircular wall) as well. She asked him why then he did not extend it to its actual foundations. He replied,” If the period of shirk of my ummah would not have been in the near past, I would have constructed it on its actual foundations.”
(v) Da’wah should be given to all those who show interest or are inclined to listen irrespective of the status or position.

Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it
( 80: 11,12).
Also a fixed period should be estimated for the continuation of da’wah to the same person. During this, period da’ee should keep on evaluating the progress.

(b)Best Advice( Fair Preaching )
The second point of Allah SWT is that a da’ee should offer good, and appealing advice.
(i)He should always try to be benevolent, even to those who misbehave with him. Allah SWT says,
Repel evil with that which is better( 23: 96).
Some other place, He says,
The good deed and the evil deed can not be equal. Repel with one which is better then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, will become( as though) he was close friend( 41 : 34).
(ii)A da’ee should please others, encourage them, and try to ease their problems. The prophet SAW is reported to have advised, “ Ease things, and do not make them hard. Give glad tidings, and do not create hatred”( Anas RA, Bukhari).
(iii)A da’ee should always try to find common, and indisputable point to start the da’wah. Allah SWT says,
Say, “ O’ people of the scripture come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah.”( 3: 64).
(iv) A da’ee should not waste time on those who do not respond positively. Dawah is not forced on people.
There is no compulsion in religion( 2: 256).
Remind, indeed you are a reminder. You are not a guardian over them

( 88: 21, 22 )

Your duty is only to convey, and on Us is the reckoning ( 14: 40)
Their guidance is not upon you. Allah guides whom He wills( 2: 272)
(v) A da’ee’s job is to extend dawah with full knowledge and firm belief. As soon as he completes this duty his mission is over. Allah SWT clearly mentions this.

Your duty is to only convey, and on Us is the reckoning( 14: 40 ).
Their guidance is not upon you. Allah guides whom He wills( 2: 272).
( c) Best Arguments / Debates
The third approach, which has been advised by Allah SWT, is to advance good arguments in debates. A da’ee, in general, should not get involved in debates. However, if he has to, he should advance beautiful, and appealing arguments. He must avoid bitter and insulting ones. Allah SWT says,
And argue not with the people of the scripture unless it be in( a way) that is better( with good words and manners), except those who transgress( 29: 46).
When talks, or atmosphere starts becoming unpleasant or in vain, a da’ee must stop the talk and leave the spot in a refined, and civilized way. Allah defines the quality of a da’ee, who faces such situation, as
And when they hear evil vain talk, they withdraw from it and say, “ To us our deeds, and to you your deeds. Peace be to you. We seek not the ignorant”( 28: 55).
Allah SWT gives an excellent example of a very good debate between the Prophet Abraham AS, and the king of his time. The following quotations are self explanatory.
When Abraham said, “ My Lord is He who gives life and causes death.” He(king) said, “ I give life and cause death.” Abraham said, “ Verily, Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever(king) was utterly defeated( 2: 258).
In another example, when the people of city, accusingly asked Abraham if he had caused the destruction of their idols, he replied,
“ Nay, this one, the biggest of them did it. Ask them, if they can speak.” So they turned to themselves and said,“ Verily, you are the transgressors”( 21: 63-64).
Another very good example of better debate is reflected in the following present day dialogue(extracted from “Taseer-e-Kalam” by Mael Khairabadi, published in Da’wah, India). Two ladies were travelling in a train on adjacent seats. One was with full hijab, and the other did not wear hijab. Let us, for brevity, designate the Lady With Hijab as LH, and the Lady Without Hijab as LWH.
LWH : Why do you cover yourself? Do not you see that a flower blooms in the open? People enjoy, and feel happy by looking at it. They can smell it, and freshen their mind, and senses.
LH : You gave a very good example. But do not you see bees going round it, and sucking its juice, as well.
LWH : But covering has adverse effects on health and beauty.
LH : I have read that basic principle of health is to have cleansed, and refined body, and soul. Probably, you also know that the covering tells bees that the lady is noble, and not open to all. This keeps her safe.
LWH : But a woman with hijab can not do social work. She can not participate in politics. She just acts as a machine of production.
LH : In History, it is reported that Napoleon honored an old woman who gave birth to three boys, and later had given all her three grown up sons to the army of France.( A few years back De’Gaulle had honored the woman who gave birth to 50 millionth person of France.--------author).

Perhaps a word or two of warning, before we conclude, is appropriate. This is the responsibility of the da’ee, his organization, and the society in which he moves around that all of them should treat the new member of the Deen as their brother. They should look after his needs, and social acceptance. They should not leave him alone to cope with the non- Muslim society. They should completely integrate him to the Islamic way of life.

Wa ma taufiqui Illa Billah. AstaghfiruLLAH li wa le sa’iril Muslimeen wal Muslimat.