Part 12

And Allaah is free from all imperfections and partners, and I am free from those who associate anything in worship along with Him." [surah Yoosuf: 108] The certain knowledge (baseerah) is with regard to that which he calls to; and means that the caller has knowledge of the Sharee’ah rulings, and how the call is to be made, and knows about the condition of those to whom the call is made. The fields of da’wah are many: Calling to Allaah by giving speeches and lectures; calling to Allaah through writing articles; calling to Allaah by means of circles of knowledge; calling to Allaah buy writing books propagating the Deen; and calling to Allaah in gatherings established for particular purposes. If a person sits in a gathering where he has come due to an invitation to a meal, for example, then this is an opportunity to call to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. However it should be done in such a way as will not bore or irritate the people. This may be achieved by putting forward some matter of knowledge to those present so that a discussion may begin, and it is well known that discussions and questions and answers are great benefit in understanding what Allaah sent down to His Messenger and in causing others to understand it. It may be more effective than giving an uninterrupted speech or lecture. Calling to Allaah was the duty of the messengers, and was the way of those who followed them upon good. So when a person knows the one whom he has to worship, and knows his Prophet, and his Deen, and Allaah has favored him with that and guided him to it, then he should strive to save his brothers by calling them to Allaah and should be glad to hear of the good tidings which the Prophet gave to ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, radiyallaahu’anhu, on the day of Khaybar “Proceed without hurrying until you reach their territory. Then call them to Islaam, and inform them of the rights of Allaah, the Most High, binding upon them; for by Allaah, it is better for you that Allaah should guide a single man through you than red camels.” [sahih al Bukharee vol. 5, p. 368-369, #521]. He said in a narration reported by Muslim “Whoever calls to guidance then there is for him a reward like the rewards of those who follow him and that will reduce nothing from their rewards, and whoever calls to misguidance will have sin upon him like the sins of those who follow him, and that will reduce nothing from their sins.” [sahih Muslim vol. 3, p. 1050 #4665]. (iv) Patiently persevering and bearing any harm encountered upon that way. [14] ________________________________________________________ As Sabr (Patient perseverance) is to confine oneself to obedience to Allaah; and to withhold oneself from disobedience to Allaah, and from being angry with what Allaah has decreed. So one should always be eager and energetic in calling to Allaah’s Deen, even if faced with ill treatment. This is because causing harm to those who call to right is a trait found in mankind, except for those whom Allaah has guided. Allaah said to His Prophet “Indeed messengers before you, were denied and rejected but they patiently bore the denial, rejection and harm of their people until our aid came to them.” [surah al An’aam: 34] The more sever the harm becomes the nearer is Allaah’s aid. It is not the case that Allaah’s aid is only that a person is aided in his lifetime and sees that his da’wah has produced positive results, rather this aid may come after his death such that Allaah causes the peoples hearts to accept what he called to, so that they follow it and adhere to it. This is also counted as being help and a grant of victory from Allaah, even though it is after his death. So the caller should patiently persevere in his call and continue upon it; patiently persevering upon the Deen of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, which he calls to; having patience in facing whatever harm he encounters. Indeed the messengers faced harm and hurt from the words and actions of the people. Allaah says “Likewise no messenger came to the previous people except that they said ‘He is a sorcerer, a madman.’” [surah adh Dhaariyaat: 52] “And for each of the prophets we have made an enemy from the idol worshippers.” [surah al Furqaan: 31] But the caller should face this with patient perseverance. See the saying of Allaah to His Messenger “Indeed it is We who have sent down this Qur’aan to you, gradually.” [surah al Insaan: 23] This contains an indication that everyone who stands with this Qur’aan must certainly face that which requires him to have patience and perseverance. Also consider the example of the Prophet when his people struck him and caused blood to flow from him. As he was wiping away the blood from his face he was saying “Oh Allaah, forgive my people for they do not know.” [Reported by al Bukharee #683]. The caller should have patience and persevere hoping for Allaah’s reward.