02-24-2004, 12:44 PM
As Salam Alykom naseeha
Now if we look with a little in depth into the issue, let us tackle how did the Messenger of Allah sallah Allah a`alyhee wa sallam made dawa`.
He was commanded by Allah to follow certain stages.
The first stage was to give dawa secretly to his household members as in:
(Quran 26:214-215)
"And admonish thy nearest kinsmen,
215. And lower thy wing to the Believers who follow thee."
As he sallah Allah a`alyhee wa sallam did with his righteous wife, his cousin Ali, his uncle Abi Taleb and so forth.
Then Allah took him to the next stage of calling publicly which was enjoined by the ayah:
(Quran 15:94-99)
"Therefore expound openly what thou art commanded, and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah.
95. For sufficient are We unto thee against those who scoff,-
96. Those who adopt, with Allah, another god: but soon will they come to know.
97. We do indeed know how thy heart is distressed at what they say.
98. But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration.
99. And serve thy Lord until there come unto thee the Hour that is Certain"
But just ponder on the result he must expect from the public call, that he might be subject to mocking, however, Allah shall protect him against this, then assured him that Allah understands how his chest becomes tight (upset and distressed) due to what they say, Allah did not leave him alone, he gave him the remedy for this which is to praise Allah (make tasbeeh) and sujud plus worshiping Allah.
How did he go with the public call, what means did he follow?
The first time, he went to Ka`ba, climbed over a small mountain, called the people to gather, explained to them that he is the Messenger.
From that we may say: public speeches, lectures, conventions and the like are the valid means today.
After a delegation from Medinah came to meet him and took the smaller Bay`a (agreement with him on Islam and providing protection), he sent them Mosa`ab Ibn Ormayr to teach them their religion. He specifically chose Mosa`ab for his knowledge in Quran and the religion.
From this we say that messengers may be sent to different countries to undertake the dawa. But taking the selection criteria in consideration.
Now Alhamdulelah, Internet suffices in this regard. You don’t have to leave and go to people. It is enough to publish the material and ask Allah to accept and bring people to read.
The conclusion:
If we apply the Messenger’s methods today, of course we passed the secret dawa stage, we are in the public stage.
So we may use all of the above mentioned methods.
This is only my humble opinion wallahu a`alam
Whatever is correct is from Allah and whatever is wrong is from me and shaytan