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Salafi Dawah is the best
The Obligation of Da`wah Between Facts and Obstacles
By Imaam Mohamed Baianonie
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala addressed His Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in soorah Yusoof 12:108, what can be translated as, “Say you (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allaah on evidence clear as the seeing with one’s eyes, I and whoever follow me. Glory to Allaah! And I am not of the mushrikin (polytheists, pagans, idolaters).”
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala informed His Prophet, Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that his message is concluded in one word, the call or da’wah to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala, and He described this da’wah in three facts:
The first fact: The da’wah is based on a clear and strong evidence, and this clear evidence is described in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala’s book (the Holy Qur‘aan) and the Sunnah of the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that the da’wah is based on concepts that are drawn and confined, hence it is clear and distinguished.
The second fact: This da’wah is not restricted with the Messenger sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam alone, but it is his da’wah as well as it is the da’wah of all those who believed in him and followed his guidance from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Because this da’wah is general and not limited with time, thus it will be carried on until the Day of Judgment. The life of the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has ended but the life of his sall Allaahu alayhi wa sallam's Ummah is going on to carry the message of Islam and to convey the Deen of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala until the Day of Judgment.
And this is how the early Muslim’s carried this message of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala and spread out in the earth as carriers and conveyers of this Deen. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala says in soorah Al-A’raaf 7:181, what can be translated as, “Of those we have created are people who guides (others) with truth, and establishes justice with it.”
Ibn Abbas radhiallaahu ‘anhu said in his explanation to this verse that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala when mentioning these people in this aayah is referring to the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and those are the Muhajeroon, Ansar, and their good followers, from this Ummah till the Day of Judgment.
Qatadah, rahimahullaah said, “We have been informed that the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam when he used to recite this aayah used to say, “This is for you and the people who received books before you had been given similar to it.” And then he, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recites from soorah Al-A’raaf 7:159 what can be translated as, “Among the people of Moosa (Moses) there is a Ummah who lead (the men) with truth and establish justice in the light of truth.”
The third fact: It is a da’wah that always fights (Ash-Shirk) associating anything with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala without any compromise. It stands in its basis on the ideology of Unity to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala. This is why it fights idolatry from all its forms and shapes, new and old ones. Since the old times when the idolatry came with wooden and stone shaped, until it became in the form of theories, philosophies, and personalities.
The fourth fact: One of the most prominent tasks and duties of the honourable messengers for which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala sent them to mankind is to convey the message in the clearest way. The duty has been done successfully by the messengers. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala told us their stories in many Qur‘aanic verses and the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam told us about them through many of his saheeh ahadeethAllaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala addressed the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying in soorah Al-Ahzaab 33:45-46, what can be translated as, “O Prophet (Muhammad)! Truly we have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, a Warner, and as one who invites to Allaah’s (Grace) by His Will, and as a lamp spreading light.”
The Messenger of Allaah, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam carried on this task successfully using several ways for that. He sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam faced many hardships and difficulties, and his seerah is full of witnesses and incidents. It will be wise to mention some of those to see its importance and to have it as a lantern which guides us today in our da’wah for the love and sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala.
Some of these ways are:
Calling his people to meet with him to convey to them the message of Islam:
Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim radhiallaahu` anhum reported that when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala revealed to the Prophet, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa salaam: “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred.” Then the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam climbed up mount of “Safa” and called “O people of Fehr, O people of Adie,” until they all gathered so that some were unable to come send a representative to see what is the matter. And They asked: “What is it?” The Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam answered: “Do you believe me if I tell you there is an enemy in the valley that will onset on you?” They said: yes, we did not experience any lying from you. The Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “I am the warner, warning you of a severe punishment.” So his uncle Aboo Lahab scolded the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said, “Is it for this you have summoned us!?” Then Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala revealed, “Perish the two hands of Aboo Lahab, and perish he ….. to the end of the soorah Al Masad 111:1-5”
Among his ways are:
His visits to the places where people gather to convey to them the message of Islam:
Imaam Ahmad radhiallaahu` anhu reported that Rabia’ Addailami said, “I saw the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam going through the market place of “Dhel-Majaz” and saying, “O people say: “Laa-ilaaha-illa- Allaah you will succeed.” At that time his uncle Aboo-Lahab was casting sand on him and saying, “O people don’t let him fool you and take you away from your religion. This man wants you to turn away from your gods “Al-Lat” and “Al-Uzzah”, but the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not look at him.
Among the Prophet’s ways to convey the message are:
· His, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s famous trip to the city of “At-Ta’f” to convey the message of Islam to the people of Thaqif.
· Introducing himself to the different tribes in the Pilgrimage season saying, “Who among of you will take me to his people and protect me until I complete conveying the Message of my Lord.”
· His, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sending letters to convey the message of Islam to the Kings and Princesses: Imaam Ibn Sa’d narrated: "In the month of Dhul-Hujjah, in the sixth year since the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam migrated to Madeenah, in the period of the peace treaty with tribe of Quraish, the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sent messengers to the kings inviting them to Islam and wrote them letters. So in the month of Maharram, the seventh year (Hijrah), six of the companions with letters left on the same day, in different directions, where each one of them used to know the language of the people he sent to."
And there are many others examples, which shows the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s care in fulfilling the task of conveying the message of Islam in different ways. His noble life was devoted for this great goal.
If we look at the situation of the Muslims today, we will know the danger of neglecting this duty of conveying the message of Islam. We became weaker and weaker with no effort or plan for this da’wah. On the other hand, we hear about many of the non-Muslims missionaries carrying out their false concepts. They travel to many Muslim countries where they spend and dedicate their wealth and life and face many difficulties and hard times and live in very harsh conditions inoder to convert our Muslims to their religion.
Here in America , we came for different reasons and motives. For education, business, or shelter where we achieved many of this, Walhamdulliah. On the other hand, few of us immigrant or indigenous took the time and effort to convey the message of Islam to the people around us. And instead a dangerous situation has spread among us, neglecting the obligation of the da’wah. This negligence is helped by many hindrances and obstacles. Next week, Insha Allaah, we will discuss about these obstacles, in sha Allaah.
By Imaam Mohamed Baianonie
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala addressed His Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in soorah Yusoof 12:108, what can be translated as, “Say you (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allaah on evidence clear as the seeing with one’s eyes, I and whoever follow me. Glory to Allaah! And I am not of the mushrikin (polytheists, pagans, idolaters).”
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala informed His Prophet, Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that his message is concluded in one word, the call or da’wah to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala, and He described this da’wah in three facts:
The first fact: The da’wah is based on a clear and strong evidence, and this clear evidence is described in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala’s book (the Holy Qur‘aan) and the Sunnah of the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that the da’wah is based on concepts that are drawn and confined, hence it is clear and distinguished.
The second fact: This da’wah is not restricted with the Messenger sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam alone, but it is his da’wah as well as it is the da’wah of all those who believed in him and followed his guidance from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala. Because this da’wah is general and not limited with time, thus it will be carried on until the Day of Judgment. The life of the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam has ended but the life of his sall Allaahu alayhi wa sallam's Ummah is going on to carry the message of Islam and to convey the Deen of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala until the Day of Judgment.
And this is how the early Muslim’s carried this message of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala and spread out in the earth as carriers and conveyers of this Deen. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala says in soorah Al-A’raaf 7:181, what can be translated as, “Of those we have created are people who guides (others) with truth, and establishes justice with it.”
Ibn Abbas radhiallaahu ‘anhu said in his explanation to this verse that Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala when mentioning these people in this aayah is referring to the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and those are the Muhajeroon, Ansar, and their good followers, from this Ummah till the Day of Judgment.
Qatadah, rahimahullaah said, “We have been informed that the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam when he used to recite this aayah used to say, “This is for you and the people who received books before you had been given similar to it.” And then he, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam recites from soorah Al-A’raaf 7:159 what can be translated as, “Among the people of Moosa (Moses) there is a Ummah who lead (the men) with truth and establish justice in the light of truth.”
The third fact: It is a da’wah that always fights (Ash-Shirk) associating anything with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala without any compromise. It stands in its basis on the ideology of Unity to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala. This is why it fights idolatry from all its forms and shapes, new and old ones. Since the old times when the idolatry came with wooden and stone shaped, until it became in the form of theories, philosophies, and personalities.
The fourth fact: One of the most prominent tasks and duties of the honourable messengers for which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala sent them to mankind is to convey the message in the clearest way. The duty has been done successfully by the messengers. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala told us their stories in many Qur‘aanic verses and the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam told us about them through many of his saheeh ahadeethAllaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala addressed the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying in soorah Al-Ahzaab 33:45-46, what can be translated as, “O Prophet (Muhammad)! Truly we have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings, a Warner, and as one who invites to Allaah’s (Grace) by His Will, and as a lamp spreading light.”
The Messenger of Allaah, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam carried on this task successfully using several ways for that. He sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam faced many hardships and difficulties, and his seerah is full of witnesses and incidents. It will be wise to mention some of those to see its importance and to have it as a lantern which guides us today in our da’wah for the love and sake of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala.
Some of these ways are:
Calling his people to meet with him to convey to them the message of Islam:
Imaams Bukhaari and Muslim radhiallaahu` anhum reported that when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala revealed to the Prophet, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa salaam: “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred.” Then the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam climbed up mount of “Safa” and called “O people of Fehr, O people of Adie,” until they all gathered so that some were unable to come send a representative to see what is the matter. And They asked: “What is it?” The Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam answered: “Do you believe me if I tell you there is an enemy in the valley that will onset on you?” They said: yes, we did not experience any lying from you. The Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “I am the warner, warning you of a severe punishment.” So his uncle Aboo Lahab scolded the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and said, “Is it for this you have summoned us!?” Then Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘aala revealed, “Perish the two hands of Aboo Lahab, and perish he ….. to the end of the soorah Al Masad 111:1-5”
Among his ways are:
His visits to the places where people gather to convey to them the message of Islam:
Imaam Ahmad radhiallaahu` anhu reported that Rabia’ Addailami said, “I saw the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam going through the market place of “Dhel-Majaz” and saying, “O people say: “Laa-ilaaha-illa- Allaah you will succeed.” At that time his uncle Aboo-Lahab was casting sand on him and saying, “O people don’t let him fool you and take you away from your religion. This man wants you to turn away from your gods “Al-Lat” and “Al-Uzzah”, but the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not look at him.
Among the Prophet’s ways to convey the message are:
· His, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s famous trip to the city of “At-Ta’f” to convey the message of Islam to the people of Thaqif.
· Introducing himself to the different tribes in the Pilgrimage season saying, “Who among of you will take me to his people and protect me until I complete conveying the Message of my Lord.”
· His, sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sending letters to convey the message of Islam to the Kings and Princesses: Imaam Ibn Sa’d narrated: "In the month of Dhul-Hujjah, in the sixth year since the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam migrated to Madeenah, in the period of the peace treaty with tribe of Quraish, the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sent messengers to the kings inviting them to Islam and wrote them letters. So in the month of Maharram, the seventh year (Hijrah), six of the companions with letters left on the same day, in different directions, where each one of them used to know the language of the people he sent to."
And there are many others examples, which shows the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s care in fulfilling the task of conveying the message of Islam in different ways. His noble life was devoted for this great goal.
If we look at the situation of the Muslims today, we will know the danger of neglecting this duty of conveying the message of Islam. We became weaker and weaker with no effort or plan for this da’wah. On the other hand, we hear about many of the non-Muslims missionaries carrying out their false concepts. They travel to many Muslim countries where they spend and dedicate their wealth and life and face many difficulties and hard times and live in very harsh conditions inoder to convert our Muslims to their religion.
Here in America , we came for different reasons and motives. For education, business, or shelter where we achieved many of this, Walhamdulliah. On the other hand, few of us immigrant or indigenous took the time and effort to convey the message of Islam to the people around us. And instead a dangerous situation has spread among us, neglecting the obligation of the da’wah. This negligence is helped by many hindrances and obstacles. Next week, Insha Allaah, we will discuss about these obstacles, in sha Allaah.