Importance of Islamic Daw’ah

Daw’ah is the noblest act in Islam. As an Arabic word, it refers to mean preaching, calling, invitation, inspiration etc. Terminologically, as an Islamic term, it has been defined by many Muslim scholars from various perspectives. Generally, daw’ah refers to calling people to Allah’s way which has been taught by His messenger Muhammad (PBUH). In Islam, daw’ah is a noble act which was the primary job of each prophet and messenger sent by Allah (SWT). All of them have been portraited in the Qur’an as Da’i (preacher/caller). Regarding the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Qur’an says: “O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, and a deliverer of good news, and a warner, and a caller to ˹the Way of˺ Allah by His command, and a beacon of light.” (Surah al-Ahzab, 33: 45-46) He (PBUH) was also recommended to do the act as it was the higher purpose of His sending to this world. The Qur’an states: “Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (Surah Yousuf, 12: 108)

Historically, prophetic daw’ah activity was started by the first Man and Prophet Adam (A.) and ended by the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, it will generally be continued by many men till the Final day as taught and recommended by the last Prophet (PBUH). The Qur’an also uses such terms which indicates that the believers are also recommended to the dawah activities for the betterment of themselves and others as well. It says: “You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious.” (Surah Ali-‘Imran, 3: 110) Therefore, if anyone wants to be better before Allah, he/she should involve himself/herself in preaching to the way of Allah. He/she should invite people to do good and leave bad acts.

The basic and fundamental theme of daw’ah as it was the primary job of each prophet and messenger is inviting people to believe in the oneness of Allah (tawhid). The Qur’an states, “We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, “Worship Allah and shun false gods.” (Surah al-Nahl, 16: 36) Individually many of Prophets’ duty as preaching people to tawhid has been mentioned in the Qur’an as well. For example, regarding the daw’ah of Prophet Nuh (A), the Qur’an says: “Indeed, We sent Noah to his people. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. I truly fear for you the torment of a tremendous Day.” (Surah al-A’raf, 7: 59); daw’ah of prophet Hud (A), it also says: “And to the people of ’Ad We sent their brother Hud. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. Will you not then fear Him?” (Surah al-A’raf, 7: 65) See also about the da’wah of prophet Saleh (A), in surah al-A’raf, 7: 73; prophet Shu’ayb in the same surah ayat no. 85. Therefore, those who involve themselves in inviting people to the oneness of Allah would be considered as the successors of all Prophets and messengers and will be rewarded in the day of judgement.

Besides inviting people to oneness of Allah, inviting people to do good and leave the bad things is another significant theme of Islamic daw’ah. This act is obligatory on every Muslim according to the context. Because the Qur’an says: “Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord alone knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is rightly guided. (Surah al-Nahl, 16: 125) Although, there is an argument among the Muslim scholars that either the daw’ah activities is compulsory on every individual believer (Fard al-‘Ayn) or on a group of people in the society (Fard al-Kifaya) only? Because the Qur’an states: “Let there be a group among you who call others to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful. (Surah Ali-‘Imran, 3: 104) In reality, daw’ah activity is fard (compulsory) task on every believer but the method and nature could be different. It could be in an individual, team or institutional format. It depends on the situation and context as well.

The reward of daw’ah activities is unparallel. It’s like a multi-level business. Whenever a man accepts your invitation; starts doing good and leaving bad, he will not only be rewarded, but also a portion of same reward will be given to you as well. The last Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever calls others to guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him, without that detracting from their reward in any way. And whoever calls others to misguidance will have a burden of sin like the burden of those who follow him, without that detracting from their burden in any way.” (Sahih Muslim)

Wisdom (hikmah) is a must tool for being successful in daw’a activities. It helps a man to do the right thing in accordance with the situation and context. This is one of the must methodologies of Islamic daw’ah. Therefore, the Qur’an states very clearly in surah al-Nahl, chapter: 16, ayat no. 125 that three things are very significant for being successful in this noble act. Such as: (i) hikmah (wisdom), (ii) maw’ijatil hasana (good advice) and (iii) mujadalah (debate in a good manner).

We must keep in our mind that we are only responsible to preach Islam in a good manner and etiquette (adab) without a force anyone in any way. Because the compulsion is not accepted in Islam. The Qur’an states: “Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood.1 So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Surah al-Baqarah, 2: 256)

We should also keep in our mind that every individual will be asked for his duties and action on the day on judgement. Our duty is only inviting people to do the good and leave the bad. We should show the beauty of Islam before the world. The people have the choice either to accept your invitation or reject it as well. They will be responsible for doing this and accountable on the day of judgement. Moreover, Allah will only ask us about our tasks either we perform it or not in this worldly life. Don’t forget that many of the relatives of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not accept His invitation. May Allah guide us on the right path and help us to perform our duties rightly!

LND/SAE