The Impact of Da`wah on the Society

Praise be to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and upon his family and companions!

Allah has elevated the status of and highly praised the callers to Him so much, as He (Glorified be He) says, And who is better in speech than he who [says: ?My Lord is All?h (believes in His Oneness),? and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to All?h?s (Isl?mic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: ?I am one of the Muslims.? Undoubtedly, this praise encourages and inspires them. It also relieves the difficulties of Da`wah (calling to Islam) and urges them to start earnest and vivid endeavors in this cause. `Abdul-Razzaq related on the authority of Ma`mar that Al-Hasan Al-Basry (May Allah be merciful with him) recited the following Ayah, And who is better in speech than he who [says: ?My Lord is All?h (believes in His Oneness) and commented as follows: The Ayah refers to Allah?s beloved, Allah?s ally, Allah?s chosen and most beloved servant who responds to Allah and calls people to believe in what he responds to Allah and does righteousness and says, ?I am of the Muslims.? This is the vicegerent of Allah.

Undoubtedly, the messengers (peace be upon them) are the chief callers to Allah and worth having the characteristics mentioned by Al-Hasan (May Allah be merciful with him). Our Prophet ? the Best and the Last Prophet ? is the most worthy of these characteristics.
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Muhammad ibn `Abdullah ibn Abdul-Mutalib (peace be upon him) conveyed the Message, fulfilled the Trust, and endured the suffering of Da`wah patiently and perfectly until Allah made this religion superior and completed His bounty and then people, due to his Da`wah, entered into the religion of Allah in multitudes. Afterwards, his honorable Sahabah (the Prophet?s companions) adopted this great path and followed his guidance. They believed in Da`wah and helped the flag of Islam flutter everywhere. Thanks to their perfect sincerity, true endurance and tireless patience in Da`wah and Jihad in all circumstances, they became an excellent example that people should follow in Da`wah and Jihad, teaching the useful knowledge, and doing good deeds. As a result, they overcame enemies, achieved their objectives, and attained great success in all fields.

They, after the messengers, deserve to be praised and ascribed with the said characteristics mentioned by Al-Hasan. Furthermore, everyone who adopts their path and patiently endures the hardships of Da`wah and strives to achieve this goal is to share the praise mentioned in the Ayah and the characteristics that Al-Hasan ascribed to the callers to the truth. It is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said, One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect?? Related by Muslim in his Sahih.

When he (Peace be upon him) sent `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) to Khaybar, he said By Allah, if Allah guides aright even one man through you that is better for you than to possess the most valuable of the camels. Agreed upon by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

This Hadith and the other reports that convey the same meanings alert the callers to Islam and participants in Jihad to the purpose of Jihad and Da`wah. The caller?s aim is to guide humans, take them out from darkness to light,
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remove them from Shirk and worshipping the creation to faith and Islam and the worship of the true deity, Allah the One, that no one has the right to be worshiped but He. The purpose of Da`wah and Jihad is not to shed blood, take money, and enslave women and offspring. Only when the disbelievers deny the truth and insist on disbelief and abstain from the Jizyah (poll tax required from non-Muslims living in an Islamic state) humbly, Muslims may fight them to guide them, their offspring, and women to the way of Allah and teach them the morals of the religion to escape them the causes of eternal torment and suffering. Thus, Muslims overcome the disbelievers? tactics and enmity that hinder the spread of Islam from reaching people and hearts. Undoubtedly, this is one of the great merits of Islam realized by a just and knowledgeable person, be they Muslim or non-Muslim, and this is out of Allah?s mercy. Allah, All-Wise and All-Knower, has made Islam a religion of mercy, kindness, justice, and equality which makes it suitable for every time and place and excel all the human laws and systems.

If the minds of all humans are gathered to bring forth something similar to or better than this religion, they will not be able to do so. Exalted is He who has prescribed it, as He is All-Wise, Just, and All-Knowing about the benefits of His slaves. The teachings of this religion have nothing to do with vanity and foolishness, and address the sound minds and instincts.

Dear Muslim brother who seeks the truth, reflect upon the Qur?an and the Sunnah of your Prophet (peace be upon him) and learn the Islamic upright teachings,
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the guided rulings and good morals. Your breast is expanded, heart is healed, and you are guided to the right path.
May Allah reform the affairs of all Muslims, give them good understanding of the religion and help the truth prevail through them. May Allah grant the Muslim rulers success to do what benefits the country and the subjects and help them back the Da`wah. Indeed, He is the One Who is Capable of doing so! May Allah grant us success. May Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

Source: http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/fatawaDetails.aspx?languagename=en&BookID=14&View=Page&PageNo=1&PageID=131

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