** * Primary goals of Da’wah
*
**
It is necessary that we Muslims have a clear understanding of
the primary goals of Da’wah, in order to direct their efforts toward the
correct ends and achieve the intended effect.
We must know what specifically we intend to bring about and accomplish by
understanding Da’wah. Otherwise, we may not be able in ascertaining the
priorities that are necessary for achieving what Allah wants from us by
calling people to Him.
A clear formulation of the aims of Da’wah can be summarized is as follows:
*1.* To guide people to the religion of Allah
*2*. To establish evidence against those who reject or oppose the religion
*3*. To discharge the duty enjoined on us, the Muslims, by Allah
*4*. To exalt the word of Allah on earth
The first objective, of guiding people to Allah’s religion and establishing
worship of Allah Alone, was the primary task of the Prophets and Messengers.
The Prophets were calling people to the realization and fulfillment of the
purpose of creation, which is to worship their Creator. Worship can be
defined as “everything that Allah loves and approves of from the apparent
and hidden sayings and deeds.” (Ibn Taymiyah) The Qur’an makes it clear that
worship is the specific reason why Allah created all objects that exists,
animate or inanimate.
“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should
worship Me (Alone).” *(Qur’an, 51:56)*
“There is not a thing but glorifies His praise. But you understand not
their glorification.” *(Qur’an, 17:44)*
The aim of Muslims in Da’wah is the same, calling all of mankind to the
worship of Allah Alone and submission to Him according to the Religion that
He chose for His Prophets to convey. At the same time, it must be realized
that the actual results of our efforts in guiding people to Allah’s religion
are not in our hands, as it is only Allah who guides. Even the Prophet
himself (peace be upon him) was unable to guide his uncle Abu Talib, about
which Allah said:
“Verily you (O Muhammad, peace be upon him) guide not whom you like, but
Allah guides whom He wills. And he knows best those who are guided.” *(Qur’an,
28:56)*
Establishing Allah’s proof against the disbelievers and the rebellious is
the second goal of Da’wah, and is achieved by our preaching the message in a
proper way. Our success in this regard does not depend on whether Allah
guides those whom we call or not.
The Prophets themselves were sent as warners to mankind, having as their
duty only to convey the message and explain the obligations of the people
towards their Creator, and to warn of a severe torment for those who
rejected the message. Disbelievers are thus left with no excuse that can
justify their disobedience to Allah. These concepts are explained in the
following Qur’anic verses:
“Messengers are bearers of good news as well as warning in order that
mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers. And Allah is
All-Powerful, All-Wise.” *(Qur’an, 4:165)*
“Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only
responsible for the duty placed on him (to convey the Message) and you for
that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The
Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the Message) in a clear way.” *(Qur’an,
24:54)*
Calling to Allah will therefore leave those who disbelieve without an excuse
before Allah on the Day of Judgment, in case they do not respond to the call
of the Messengers. Inviting is our role, and responding is theirs.
“Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him, to the disbelievers): My Lord pays
attention to you only because of your invocation to Him. But now you have
indeed denied (Him). So the torment will be yours forever.” *(Qur’an, 25:77)
*
The third goal of Da’wah is to fulfill our duty of calling people to Allah.
Our duty is only to convey the message, so our success in realizing this
goal is also not dependent on the response of those whom we are calling.
Allah says to the Messenger in several places in the Qur’an:
“The Messenger’s duty is but to convey the Message.” *(Qur’an, 5:99)*
“Whether we show you (O Muhammad) part of what We have promised them or
cause you to die, your duty is only to convey (the Message) and unto Us is
the reckoning.” *(Qur’an, 13:40)*
Acquitting ourselves of the duty of Da’wah enjoined upon us by Allah is of
particular relevance to those Muslims living in non-Muslim lands, as
engaging in Da’wah would Insha Allah justify their stay.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has also explained that fulfilling our
obligations can provide us an excuse before Allah, otherwise we are bound to
perish: “The people will not perish until they have no excuse left for
themselves.” *(Imam Ahmad in Az-Zuhd, i/86, authentic)*
The fourth goal is establishing a Muslim nation and making the word of Allah
dominant on earth. Allah explains in the Qur’an: “It is He Who has sent His
Messenger (Muhammad) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may
make it (Islam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as
a Witness.” *(Qur’an, 48:28)*
Allah also says in the Qur’an: “He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones
a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, purifying them, and teaching
them Book (the Qur’an), and Al-Hikmah (Sunnah). And verily, they had been
before in manifest error.” *(Qur’an, 62:2)*
The Messenger of Allah and the Sahabah established an Islamic society here
on earth. Therefore our aim in Da’wah should also be to create a strong
Muslim society that would make Allah’s Word uppermost in this world.
This goal, like the first one, is dependent on the response and is therefore
in Allah’s Hands. However, Allah has promised to Muslims that He will
establish them on earth if they believe and do righteous deeds:
“Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good
deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers)
in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant
them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for
them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security
after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate
anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are
the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” *(Qur’an, 24:55) *
--
Faizan Shaikh,
Servant of Allah subhanau taa'la
“O Allah! Guide me to have beautiful manners and characteristics, no one can
guide me to beautify them except You. And turn me away from all evil actions
and characteristics, no one can turn them away from me except You.”
--
Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better; then the
enmity between him and you will become as if it were your friend and intimate!
Visit: sultan.org
Subscribe: [email protected]
Post to group: [email protected]<<image001.jpg>>
<<image002.gif>>
