Ibn Bazz: Questions and Answers on the invitation to Allah

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Q 1:

Questions and Answers on the invitation to Allah

In our village, when a wife dies and her husband marries another wife, the husband takes the new wife on his wedding day and visits the old wife's grave to pour water on it.

A: This is a baseless innovation.

The Culture of a Muslim caller

How should a Muslim caller develop his culture? What are the necessary sources for his culture to have effective call that Allah may bless?

Answer :

Da`wah (calling to Islam) is the most important task and the greatest obligation. People, Muslims or nonMuslims, are in dire need of it. Muslims need more knowledge and need someone who can alert them to their sins and mistakes so that they can rectify their errors, hold fast to obeying Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him), and refrain from the things prohibited by Him and His Messenger. Likewise, the nonMuslims need someone who can call them to Allah (Exalted be He) and show them that Allah has created them to worship Him. They should know that they must embrace Islam and adhere to what the Prophet (peace be upon him) brought. However, the Da`y

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(caller to Allah) has to consider some indispensable things so that his Da`wah can be successful and fruitful. The most important thing he should consider is having knowledge that must be obtained from Allah's Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى االله 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).

The scholars interpreted Allah's saying (Exalted be He) I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism with sure knowledge).

to mean that a Da`y has to obtain sure and certain knowledge to learn how to enjoin what is right or forbid what is wrong and how to call to Allah (Exalted be He). Knowledge for him is like eyesight which enables a person to see harmful things such as the holes and thorns that should be avoided.

Moreover, the Da`y should be kind and mild in his call. He should not hasten in it in order for him to handle matters appropriately. If the person called to Islam can grasp knowledge and respond without admonition and debates, the Da`y should explain the truth with good manner and clear proof. If he responds positively, the issue is over and the aim of Da`wah is achieved. However, if the person is reluctant, turns away, is neglectful and indifferent, then the Da`y should advise, exhort, and remind him of Allah (Exalted be He) in a good manner so that he can respond and accept the truth. If the person has an ambiguous matter that needs to be debated, the Da`y should argue with him kindly in a way that is better to clarify the truth to him and leave him no misconception to take as a pretext in leaving the truth or embracing falsehood. This opinion is supported by the Ayah where Allah (may He be Praised) says: Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى االله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.

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The Da`y must be sincere to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), beware of Riya' (showing off ), and make his Da'wah for the sake of Allah and the Hereafter. He should not intend to be praised by people or to attain worldly gains. Allah (may He be Praised) says: And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh’s (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."

He should endeavor to use suitable words and invite to Allah (Exalted be He) gently and kindly. He should not be harsh except when necessary. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: and argue with them in a way that is better. Allah also says, And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islâmic Monotheism with His Verses)

"The people of the Scripture" here refers to the Jews and Christians.

except with such of them as do wrong

This means that Kindness is indispensable in Da`wah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Kindness is not to be found in anything but that it adds to its beauty and it is not withdrawn from anything but it makes it defective. The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He who is deprived of kind behavior is in fact deprived of all good.'' The believing Da`y should call to Allah (Exalted be He) with good manners and kindness so that people may respond to him positively and no one can reject or resist him improperly. Some harsh and illmannered callers are rejected and abused, which makes it worse. When the Da`y is gentle and calls to Allah (Exalted be He) in kindness and good manners, it is hopeful that his Da`wah will be accepted or at least people will react to him with gentleness.