There is much confusion about the organization ‘Supporters of Tawheed’, people differ over its role here but its organizers intend to verify their purpose for those who are sincere in seeking the truth.
As Muslims we submit to the Commands of our Creator, Allah (saw) and follow the Messenger Muhammad (saw) as our best example. Our aim and goals have been stated clearly in the Quran, one of which Allah (swt) commands is;
Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining the Good and forbidding the Evil. And it is they who are the successful. (3:104)
And the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: “Convey on behalf of me even one ayah.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Allah (swt) and the Messenger Muhammad (saw) have obliged upon all Muslims to engage in Dawah i.e. to call people to Islam. This noble obligation has not been restricted to certain people, times or places and it was a duty which was fulfilled by all the previous Prophets of Allah (swt).
"And We certainly sent to every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false dieties)." [16:36]
Moreover we are warned severely in numerous ahadith (sayings of the Prophet) about the fate of the ones who do not engage in Dawah, Command Good and Forbid Evil in Society; Narrated by ‘Aisha (ra), Muhammad (saw) said that; “Allah sent angels to destroy a city and they returned to Allah saying it has such and such a person who worships You constantly! And Allah (swt) said, “start with that person first because he did not forbid the evil nor did His face never once become red for My sake". [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Bahaiqi]
The duty of inviting individuals and society to the exclusive worship of Allah (swt) exclusively and to follow His commands, is known to Islam by necessity. In all obligatory commands of Allah, we have been given guidance of how to fulfill each act through the example of the messenger Muhammad (saw).
"There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often." [33:21]
Allah (swt) provided the messenger Muhammad (saw) with instructions of how to engage with others whilst carrying Dawah, Allah (swt) says;
'Invite to the way of your Lord with Hikmah (knowledge) and fair preaching, and debate with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.' [16:125]
From the verse above we derive 3 pillars of how to carry Dawah; hikmah, fair preaching and debate, these 3 will now be explained;
1. Hikmah.
Hikmah is often referred to as wisdom; this is incorrect as wisdom is the fruitful thinking of man. Man’s wisdom is not the same and the differences (in thinking) amongst men can lead to anarchy. The great scholar of Islam, Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra) defines Hikmah as; understanding of Fiqh wal Daleel, meaning the understanding of Fiqh (rulings) and Daleel (evidences) from the Qur'an and Sunnah (teachings of Muhammad-saw).
Say: 'This is my way: I invite to Allah with clear knowledge [12:108]
The call to Islam is based upon knowledge of divine text therefore it is incumbent upon Muslims to gain knowledge of the various aspects of Islam.
2. Mou'eza - and Fair preaching linked to the hereafter
Imam Ibn Kathir mentions, the Dawah needs to touch the hearts of people by linking everything back to Allah (swt), His punishments and His rewards, the hereafter, even linking and talking about stories from the Quran which Muhammad (saw) would tell people in order to warn them about the punishment of Allah (swt). Though in our reality we find that people do not like to be reminded about accountability or death rather people live their lives attempting to escape these realities but when death reaches them they are faced with a certain fate.
And of them there are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!" [2:101]
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. [3:85]
3. Jidaal - and debate/dialogue with them in a way that is best.
Imam Ibn Kathir explains to a have debate/dialogue means, if any want to debate or argue with you, then let that be in the best of manners, with kindness, gentleness and good speech in order to touch their hearts.
And do not argue with the People of the Book, unless it be with that which is best, except for those who purposefully do wrong. [29:46]
Through debates, dialogues and discussion many misunderstandings can be clarified and an opportunity for better understanding of the viewpoints can be achieved. The styles in which to pass the message to society can vary, such as stalls, debates, conferences, road shows etc, all methods require for Muslims to come out and interact with people. Nowhere in these methods does it encourage violence or force when inviting people to Islam or adopting Islamic values.
Within current times there are many misconceptions about Islam and negative stereotypes being enforced via the media, we therefore believe it necessary to clarify the true message of Islam and to provide a clear and concise view of the Islamic belief. We openly call people to adopt this divine way of life, inviting you to salvation and to clarify any queries that you may have. We hope for people to live under security and justice, as our Creator Allah (swt) wanted for His creation. The better Muslim is the one who wants to spread this divine way of life, and for others to also enjoy the continuous success that Islam brings with it.
Allah (swt) says;
“And who is better in speech then he who invites to Allaah (Islamic monotheism) and does righteous deeds and says; `I am one of the Muslims`” [41:33].
2 comments:
Excellent Work, Dear Sisters!!
The only thing that I would add to this, is that it seems that it's important for we Muslims to give Dawah to each other first: to enjoin the good, and to forbid the evil, and then to form groups for Dawah, with the ultimate aim of forming an Islamic State which in turn has a rightly-appointed and guided Caliphate; And so from what I've read: We must form Dawah groups: with each group having a leader, so that we can give Dawah under the protection of that group: especially when the group starts giving Dawah to Non-Muslims!!
http://www.khilafah.com/book-al-dawah-ilul-islam-by-sheikh-ahmad-mahmoud/
I've attached the Link to that book that I mentioned, recently, so that people reading this can download the book in PDF format: It's a big book, but very well worth reading! The Author is Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud.
Once again, keep up your great work, dear sisters, in leading us all to the True and Correct Islam: from The Holy Qur'an, and from The Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Your Brother in Islam, always,
Abdullah Salah
Jazak Allah khair Akhi Abdullah for your comment indeed and the link and the opinion on what the Shaykh follows and preaches, Alhumdulillah.
We do believe that Alhumdulillah Da’wah should be an all-round duty, i.e. not to restrict to this and that first, rather Insha’Allah Da’wah to Muslims and non-Muslims should be upon everyone who is capable enough to carry it Insha’Allah, it should go hand in hand - just like how our beloved Prophet (saws) did. Some people restrict Da’wah to giving it only when one has PhD in Islam or under an Ameer or a group or when so on or so forth, i.e. reasons to restrict Da’wah until when they perceive is right - again this might be their opinions but Alhumdulillah our beloved Prophet (saws) never gave us or instill such restrictions upon us, rather he (saws) said:
“Convey from me even an Ayah of the Quraan...” [Sahih Bukhari]
And it was general, meaning to both Muslims or/and non-Muslims, as long as ofcourse one Insha’Allah has the right knowledge of any particular matter in the Deen.
And indeed the rest Allah knows best and may He guide us all towards that which pleases Him alone.
BarakAllahu feek Brother, may Allah accept from you and us all for His sake alone - Ameen Ya Rabb!
Post a Comment