THE CALLER (DAA’IYAH) and THE CALLED (MAD’UWW)
THE CALLER (DAA’IYAH)
The first Caller to Islam was the Prophet Muhammad, his call was universal and open to all mankind, Arbs or not, besides him, according to the Qur’an, any person who is a healthy adult is qualified to invite people to Islam, but in other to accomplish this mission he must possess the following TOOLS that allow him to do the work properly.
First, the Daa’iyah must understand the truthful path that leads to the Hereafter. The knowledge of this path is imperative to every Muslim, this is what open his eyes and make him feel like has a Noble mission on earth, that understanding of the true knowledge force him to the right path, the only require provision for the path is the fear of Allah “Taqwaa” (Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they ridicule those who believe. But those who fear Allah are above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives provision to whom He wills without account. Baqara:212); (…. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah . And fear Me, O you of understanding. Baqara:197). Any Daa’iyah needs that essential knowledge of the truthful path in order to guide others to Allah.
Second, to ensure that the Daa’iyah have a fine understanding of the path he must has knowledge, that is the basic tool for life, since people need knowledge and wisdom for success in every area of life, and this only comes from Allah. This is reflected in this verses (So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”Taha:114); (Qur’an 58:11; 3:18; 38:29; 47:24).
Third, a Daa’iyah must have a profound faith “Imaan”. He must be convinced, without any room for doubt or discussion, that the Islam is the truth and the only path to Allah and anything else is false (For that is Allah,your Lord,the Truth.And what can be beyond truth except error?So how are you averted?. Yunus:32);(Qur’an 2:120; 13:14).
Finally, the caller must have a strong connection with Allah trusting Him in every aspect of his life, because he is convinced that Allah is the only Creator and have control over all affairs of life, and have the power to do good or bad to the people (Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful. Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory. Haj:38-39); (Qur’an 65:3; 20:46; 16:128; 3:150; 22:40; 40:51; 63:8), but Allah will save anyone who puts his trust in him, like is promised on the Qur’an.
Besides the tools that were explained before, the Daa’iyah must manifest the Islamic manners that Allah have described on the Qur’an and that are mandatory to every Muslim, and specially for the proselytizer (Caller). These five virtues are mentioned here among other virtues not less important than the followings:
Honesty, that is demanded to Muslims in Qur’an (O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.Tawbah:119); (Allah will say, “This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.” For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. Al- Ma’idah:119); (Qur’an 17:80).
Patience, this virtue is basic for Imaan, and is mentioned more than 80 times in Qur’an (And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah ]. Baqara:45); (O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination. Luqman:17); (Qur’an 46: 35; 2: 153; 4: 25; 39: 10; 42:35; 13: 24; 32: 24; 38: 44; 16: 127; 30: 60; 3: 186)
Clemency towards people that would make him invite the people to Islam and save them from hellfire this manner is shown in Qur’an (So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. Al- Imr’an :159); (Qur’an 9: 128; 7: 59, 61-63, and 199)
Also Humility, because every Muslim recognizes that Allah is Lord, and one is nothing without Allah (And lower your wing to those who follow you of the believers. Ash-Su’ara:215); (And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. Luqman:18); (Qur’an 53: 32; 7: 43; 12: 100; 25:63).
Finally he must be able to know when he must mingle with other people and when is time to be isolated according to the instructions of the Qur’an (So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life. An-Najm:29); (And I will leave you and those you invoke other than Allah and will invoke my Lord. I expect that I will not be in invocation to my Lord unhappy.” Maryam:48) ; (Qur’an 7:199; 32:30; 6:63). The use of these manners in daily life will help the Daa’iyah proselytize the message of Allah with his words and with his life
THE CALLED (MAD’UWW)
The Mad’uww is the person that receives the invitation to Allah, this call is open to all mankind without exception. According to the Qur’an in every society there are different classes of individuals regarding of how they respond to the call. (Say, [O Muhammad], “O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death.” So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided. Al-A’raf :158); (And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most of the people do not know. Saba:28).
This classes are:
1. The Notables or the Grandees, this group represent the opposition to Allah’s message, they are principally influential leaders and important members of society whose hearts are hard and they become hostile to the message. (And We did not send into a city any warner except that its affluent said, “Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers.” And they said, “We are more [than the believers] in wealth and children, and we are not to be punished.” Saba 34-35); (Qur’an 7:60 & 127; 38:6 – 7; 27:14; 11:27; 23:24).
2. The Common people, this group includes all the people except the Notables, this is the regular public, they are usually in need for help, been the poor or weak part of society, they receive Allah’s message honestly and hastily (Said the eminent ones who were arrogant among his people to those who were oppressed – to those who believed among them, “Do you [actually] know that Salih is sent from his Lord?” They said, “Indeed we, in that with which he was sent, are believers.” AL- A’raf:75).
3. The Dissemblers, also call the hypocrites, this particular group are the ones that assume the Islam only for appearance but don’t really believe the word of Allah and his message, therefore they will end up revolting against Islam. This classes usually found in places where Islam is powerful and the ruling religion, and people embrace it only to follow the crow without been truly convinced that the Islam is the truth (And when it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger,” you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion. An-Nisa:61); (And of the people are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” but they are not believers. Baqara:8); (Qur’an 3:144; 2:204 – 206; 9:56 -57 & 67)
4. The Rebels: these are the believers who know the word of Allah but consciously or not don’t live according to its commandments, this are also called the sinners (Do you not consider, [O Muhammad], those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They are invited to the Scripture of Allah that it should arbitrate between them; then a party of them turns away, and they are refusing. Al-Imr’an:23); (Qur’an 57:16).
In our next article we will discuss different methods and means of Da’wah that it
will have impact on the Mad’uww.
By/ Dr. Asya AL-Riyami
