Many claim that our priority should be the call of Tawheed. Meaning, the basis of the Dawah should be to call mankind to the Oneness of Allah. This statement is not wrong and is fully supported by the Divine text and the Seerah (life) of the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). However the problem arises when one fails to understand what is meant by Tawheed.
For many the call to Tawheed means calling people to acknowledge the existence of One God and knowing God's names and attributes. Others understand Tawheed as previously stated but with the addition worshiping God (Allah) in personal ritual deeds.
Though both viewpoints have elements of the true essence of Tawheed, they still failed to understand the true nature of what is Tawheed.
Allah (swt) said, “O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam” [2:208]
With this verse in mind the best way to explain Tawheed is to submit to Allah completely by knowledge, speech, actions and transactions in all aspects of life. The manifestation must be in both spiritual practice and political government (i.e. Khilafah).
For Allah said, "Your Ilah (God) is but One God…" [41:6]
In fact the pagan society of Makkah during the early years of prophethood had gods that they served, worshiped and referred to for all aspects of life; social, ritual, political, personal, societal etc. When the messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) embarked on this mission to call people to Tawheed of Allah, the pagan mushrikeen of Makkah clearly understood the Dawah of the Prophet. They said about the Prophet, "he wishes to make all our gods (aalihaa) into one God". The mushrikeen realized that the call of Tawheed was the exclusive submission to Allah in all spheres of life completely.
Sayyid Qutb said regarding the matter, "...they knew (the Makkan pagans) the meaning of ‘Ilah’ and they knew the meaning of ‘La ilaha ila Allah’. They knew that Uluhiyah means sovereignty and they also realized that ascribing sovereignty only to Allah meant that authority would be taken away from the priest, leaders of the tribes, the wealthy and the rulers and would revert to Allah. It meant that only Allah's authority would prevail in the heart and conscience, in matters pertaining to religious observances and in affairs of life such as business, the distribution of wealth and in the dispensation of justice..." [The Milestones]
For the Muslims the call to Tawheed is of paramount importance which Allah (swt) obliged and made it the way of the prophet (saw).
Allah (swt) said,
“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad [saw]) to the Way of your Lord…” [16:125]
“Say (O Muhammad [saw]): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh…” [12:108]
Whosoever wishes for their Dawah to be the call to Tawheed which mirrors the prophetic method must:
1. Call to the sovereignty of Allah in all spheres of life.
2. Manifest the call where ever they reside, for the whole world belongs to Allah.
3. Ensure that the call be absolutely clear with no ambiguity, just like the Makkan mushrikeen clearly understood the Prophet's (pbuh) call to Tawheed.
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