06-05-2004, 01:53 PM
Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds, King of the Kings the Merciful most Compassionate, and prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Mohamed, his household and companions.
I found this article Insh a Allah useful as giving guidelines about the process of Dawa, may Allah allow us all to benefit. May be those of you who are active in masjed or other forms of Islamic facilities can even print and use it.
"Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism with sure knowledge)."(Quran 12:108)
<b>Dawa`a is the duty of every Muslim</b>
"You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh[1]. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fâsiqûn (disobedient to Allâh - and rebellious against Allâh’s Command)."(3:110)
<b>Note that being the best Ummah that were raised to people is closely associated with enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. In other words giving Dawa each within his/ her own capabilities. </b>
"And remind (by preaching the Qur’ân, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), for verily, the reminding profits the believers." (Quran 51:55)
Another command to remind the believers.
"And warn your tribe (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) of near kindred.[1] "(Quran 26:214)
"O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded." (Quran 66:6)
<b>An indication of the priority to start by yourself then give dawa`a to the next of kin, close family members. Some people get carried out by giving dawa`a to non Muslims and just over look their family members who may be even Muslims but still need dawa`a.</b>
<b>Now to what shall we call?
</b>As in 12:108 of course to the path of Allah:" This is my way; I invite unto Allâh"
" So stand (ask Allâh to make) you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) firm and straight (on the religion of Islâmic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allâh) with you, and transgress not (Allâh’s Legal Limits). Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do. * And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allâh, nor you would then be helped.[1] * And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât ), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salât (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice). [2]* . And be patient; verily, Allâh wastes not the reward of the good-doers. " (Quran 11:112-115)
<b>Also to make dawa`a to follow the straight path not like the ones who came too hard on themselves or those who were very lenient.</b>
<b>Would the one making dawa`a expect a reward back from the other party?</b>
Look at:" "And O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allâh. I am not going to drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people that are ignorant. "O my people I ask of you no reward for it (the Message). My reward is only from Him Who created me. Will you not then understand?” (Quran 11:29,51)
<b>And</b>
" That is (the Paradise) whereof Allâh gives glad tidings to His slaves who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds. Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم): "No reward do I ask of you for this except to be kind to me for my kinship with you."[1] And whoever earns a good righteous deed, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (the deeds of those who are obedient to Him). "(Quran 42:23)
<b>One must never claim personal credit or attribute the success to his ability, but rather seek Allah’s close guidance and assistance making sure to underline this to the people:</b>
" He said: "O my people! Tell me if I have a clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself (shall I corrupt it by mixing it with the unlawfully earned money). I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you. I only desire reform to the best of my power. And my guidance cannot come except from Allâh, in Him I trust and unto Him I repent". (Quran 11:88)
<b>One who is making dawa`a must always maintain a humble attitude</b>:
And the servants of ((Allah)) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, "Peace!";" (Quran 25:46)
"And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster. *And be moderate in thy pace, and lower thy voice; for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the ass." (Quran 31:18-19)
“ Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.” (Quran 6:108)
“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 Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam)." (Quran 29:46)
<b>This is Allah’s instructions not to initiate an aggressive dialogue with the non Muslims. Please note on the 2nd Ayah, the exception of who to talk to in a harsh manner.</b>
“Quite a number of the People of the Book wish they could Turn you (people) back to infidelity after ye have believed, from selfish envy, after the Truth hath become Manifest unto them: But forgive and overlook, Till Allah accomplish His purpose; for Allah Hath power over all things“ (Quran 2: 109)
<b>Look at the command to forgive and overlook</b>
“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. “ (Quran 2:256)
“So if they dispute with thee, say: "I have submitted My whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah.s sight are (all) His servants.” (Quran 3:20)
“Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah. that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah.s Will). (Quran 3: 64)
“"And believe no one unless he follows your religion." Say: "True guidance is the Guidance of Allah. (Fear ye) Lest a revelation be sent to someone (else) Like unto that which was sent unto you? or that those (Receiving such revelation) should engage you in argument before your Lord?" Say: "All bounties are in the hand of Allah. He granteth them to whom He pleaseth: And Allah careth for all, and He knoweth all things." (Quran 3: 73)
“Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. “ (Quran 3:13)
“They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: They are in the ranks of the righteous. “ (Quran 3: 114)
‘If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. * How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans, except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous.” (Quran 9:6-7)
<b>Be hard on non Muslims who are fighting Muslim:</b>
“They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks. (Quran 4:089)
"Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant" (Quran 7:199)
<b>We are all aware of the incident of Ta-ef, when the Messenger of Allah (PAPBUH) was so badly treated from people there, that he sat next to a wall invoking upon Allah, and Allah sent him the angle of mountains telling him if he wants he has a command from Allah to pull down the two mountains over the people. What did the Messenger say, did he make dua against them of destruction? No he said, no just in case one of them will become a Muslim.
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This is the attitude of the Messenger of Allah (PAPBUH)
I don’t think we need more comments
<b>As for the relation among Muslims:</b>
“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. *O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear Allah. For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. * O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).’ (Quran 49: 11-13)
“Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them: For Satan is to man an avowed enemy.” (17:53)
“Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good?” (55:60)
One last thing, just ponder on the story of Al Khidr and Mussa (SAW) in Surat Kahf, how Mussa thought he is the most knowledgeable and Allah taught him a practical lesson through Al Khidr.
Praise be to Allah who guided us for this, if it was not for Him we wouldn't have been guided, prayer and peace on our Messenger Mohamed
May Allah accept