THE PROPAGATION METHODS OF THE RELIGION OF ISLAM REFERENCE TO NIGERIA (PART 2 OF 5)

THE PROPAGATION METHODS OF THE RELIGION OF ISLAM REFERENCE TO NIGERIA

(PART 2 OF 5)

ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com

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emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY 20th AUGUST 2019 CE and 18th DHUL HIJJA 1440 AH

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4.0 THE METHODOLOGY OF THE PROPHET’S IN CALLING TO ALLAAH

Calling to Allaah (ad-Da'wah ilallaah) is the way of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and his followers, as Allaah, the Most High, says:

قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى‌ۖ وَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ (١٠٨)

Say thou: "This my way: I do invite unto Allah― on evidence clear as the seeing with one's eyes I and whoever follows me: Glory to Allah! and never will I join gods with Allah!" (12:108)

Say, O Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam): This is my way, I call to Allaah (i.e to the testification that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone, with no partner) upon certain knowledge - I, and those who follow me. I declare Allaah free and far removed from all that they associate as partners with Him, and I am free of those who worship anything else along with Him. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah Yoosuf 12:108]

Indeed calling to Allaah was the mission of all the Messengers and their followers, in order to bring the people out of darkness and into light, from unbelief (Kufr) to true Faith (Eemaan), from shirk to Tawheed, and from the Fire to Paradise. This call to Allaah rests upon firm pillars, and is established upon foundations which are absolutely essential. If any of these are missing the Dawah will not be correct and will not produce the desired results - no matter how much effort is expended and time wasted - and this is the reality which we witness with regard to many of the present day calls which are not supported by those pillars and built upon those foundations. These pillars which support the correct Dawah are clearly shown in the Book and the Sunnah, and can be summarised as follows:

1. Knowledge of that which one calls to:

Since the ignorant person is not suitable to be a caller (Daa'ee). Allaah, the Most High, said to His prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam):

Say, O Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam): This is my way, I call to Allaah (to the testification that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone, having no partner) upon certain knowledge (Baseerah). I, and those who follow me. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah Yoosuf 12:108]

'Baseerah' is knowledge. So the caller is certain to face those who are scholars of misguidance, those who will attack him with doubts and futile arguments in order to rebut the truth. Allaah,  ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِ‌ۖ وَجَـٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۖ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ (١٢٥)

"O'Muhammad (Peace be upon him) invite mankind to the way of your lord (Islam) with wisdom, and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. (Holy Qur'an Chapter 16:125).

The Most High, says: ‘’And argue with them in a way that is better. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah an-Nahl 16:125]’’

Furthermore the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said to Mu'aadh (radhiAllaahu 'anhu), "You are going to a people from the People of the Book." So if the caller is not armed with sufficient knowledge for him to face every doubt and contend with every opponent, then he will be defeated in the first counter, and will be halted at the beginning of the way.

2. Acting in accordance with that which he calls to:

So that he will be a good example - his actions attesting to his words, and leaving no excuse for the opponents of the Truth. Allaah, the Most High, said about His Prophet Shu'ayb that he said to his people:

قَالَ يَـٰقَوۡمِ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ۬ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنۡهُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنً۬ا‌ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنۡ أُخَالِفَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنۡهَٮٰڪُمۡ عَنۡهُ‌ۚ إِنۡ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلۡإِصۡلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُ‌ۚ وَمَا تَوۡفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ وَإِلَيۡهِ أُنِيبُ (٨٨)

"He said: O' my people! Tell me if I have clear evidence from my Lord and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself (shall I corrupt it by mixing it with the unlawfully earned money). I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you". (Holy Qur'an Chapter 11:88)

I do not wish to forbid you from something and then do it myself. Rather I only wish to rectify you as far as I am able. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah Hood 11:88]

Allaah, the Most High, said to His Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam):

قُلۡ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحۡيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٦٢) لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَبِذَٲلِكَ أُمِرۡتُ وَأَنَا۟ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ (١٦٣)

Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: (162) No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His Will. (163)

Say, O Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam): Indeed my Prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all purely and solely for Allaah, Lord of all the Worlds. There is no share in any of that for other than Him. That is what my Lord ordered me, and I am the first of this nation to submit to Allaah as a Muslim. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah al-An'aan 6:162-163]

Allaah the Most High, said:

وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ قَوۡلاً۬ مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ (٣٣)

Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says "I am of those who bow in Islam"? (33)

Who is better in speech than one who calls the people to Allaah and does righteous deeds? [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah Fussilat 41:33]

3. Purity of intention (al-ikhlaas):

Such that the call is made purely and sincerely to seek the Face of Allaah (and seeking His Reward) - not for show, or repute, or status, or leadership, nor desiring worldly goals - since if any of these goals adulterate it, the call will not be for Allaah, rather it would then be a call for oneself or for the attainment of the worldly goal - as Allaah informs that His Prophets said to their people:

أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَبِهُدَٮٰهُمُ ٱقۡتَدِهۡ‌ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ أَجۡرًا‌ۖ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكۡرَىٰ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٩٠)

Those were the (prophets) who received Allah's guidance: Follow the guidance they received; Say: "No reward for this do I ask of you: this is no less than a Message for the nations." (90)

I do not ask you for any reward for conveying this Qur`aan. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah al-An'aam 6:90]

وَيَـٰقَوۡمِ لَآ أَسۡـَٔلُڪُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ مَالاً‌ۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ بِطَارِدِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُواْ رَبِّہِمۡ وَلَـٰكِنِّىٓ أَرَٮٰكُمۡ قَوۡمً۬ا تَجۡهَلُونَ (٢٩)

"And O my People! I ask you for no wealth in return: my reward is from none but Allah: but I will not drive away (in contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet their Lord, and ye I see are the ignorant ones! (29)

I do not ask you for any wealth for my admonition. [Holy Quran Chapter Soorah Hood 11:29]

5.0 TABLIGH AND DAWAH

Tabligh is the way of conveying Allah’s message. The message of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) is that He is the only one and there’s worthy of worship but Him only. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) sent His messengers to every nation in order to guide them.

Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) is the Last Prophet sent by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala). After him, it’s a Muslim’s duty to propagate the message of the prophet and continue his mission. Tabligh is the way to bring people in the circle of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) is the perfect example for us to follow Islam. He had spent his entire life spreading the truth and dedicated his efforts to help people come towards Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala). He always prayed and wept for his Ummah and asked them to continue his mission, which is to promote Islam and call others towards Jannah and Islam.

Da’wah and calling people towards Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) and Islam takes efforts and patience as it is a great responsibility to carry. Allah has appointed Rasool (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) and Anbiya (Alaihi Salaam) to nations to guide them to the straight and true path. Tabligh in a rightful manner is the way to live a fulfilled life as a Muslim and has rewards promised by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala). In the Quran, Allah says that calling people towards Him, and his words are better than anything.

The success in the hereafter is better than any success in the world. People who go after the success of hereafter and do good deeds will attain rewards for their efforts. Tabligh and Da’wah bring a preacher close to his goal and Jannah. Allah himself promises in the Quran that they’ll be successful in the hereafter for what they do sincerely to invite the disbelievers and other Muslims towards Him.

A preacher who’s propagating the message of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) should only do it for His sake. He should never wish for people’s approval and to attain a good image in the society. He should only invite people towards Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) only for the sake of Him with a pure heart.

Dawah and Tabligh require kindness and mercy. Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) and others before him always acquired the way of inviting people with kindness and love. They would give glad tidings to the people before warnings. Violence is never the answer so preaching mercilessly and threats will damage the image of Islam. They should adopt such a way that awakens the yearning to listen to the words and message of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala).

Actions speak louder than words is always true and when it comes to preaching and Tabligh, this saying becomes clearer. As a preacher should be a doer first in order to invite others to the right path. He should be a faithful Muslim and carry the message of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) in his heart and follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam)

Tabligh and Dawah bring the preacher closer to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala). And the preacher brings others closer to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) and Jannah. Inviting people towards Islam and preaching what’s true that Allah is the only One God, is a Muslim’s goal and is his duty. This path of Tabligh and preaching pave the way towards Jannah for the preacher. References/sources are listed at Part 5 of 5, of this article

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