Bismillaah!
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Inviting Towards Allaah and the Qualities the Caller
Author: Shaikh Abdul-Aziz Bin Baz
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THE INVITATION TO WHICH PEOPLE SHOULD BE CALLED TO
What is the message to which the people are called. Its elucidation and explanation is necessary for those who wish to invite the persons to the way of Allaah - the way which been explained by the Prophets of Allaah. (A.S.). It is the invitation to the people to follow the straight path as enjoined by Allaah, the Supreme. It is Islaam ,it is the call to the Deen (True Religion). This is the subject matter of the invitation.The Qur’aan calls it the way of Allaah:
“Call unto the way of thy Lord...” (16 : 125)
So the way of Allaah is the straight path, Deen of Allaah --- which was brought by the Prophet of Allaah, Muhammad (
). It is necessary to call the people to this particular way of life only and not towards a particular school of religion or to the thought or opinion of a particular person. It is to call towards the True Religion sent by Allaah - the straight path with which the Messenger and Beloved of Allaah, Muhammad (
) had been sent into this world and for which the Qur’aan and the Sunnah stand testimony. Along with this call to the people, the true belief and view-point is necessary i.e., sincere and complete faith in Allaah and worshipping Him with the staunch belief in the tawheed of Allaah. Belief in the Hereafter and all the Messengers of Allaah (A.S) and belief in everything that has been told by the Prophet of Allaah, Muhammd (
) This is the basis and cornerstone of the straight path called Siraat-ul-Mustaqeem. In fact, the people are to be invited to declare and testify that there is none else worthy of worship except Allaah and Prophet Muhammad (
) is His Messenger.
It is implied in this testimony that he believes in the tawheed of Allaah and in His Messengers. It also includes the belief that whatever news either relating to this world or the Hereafter, has been given by our Prophet Muhammad (
) is correct and true. Surely this call includes the injunction to establish Salaah (Prayer), payment of Zakah (poor due), fasting during the month of Ramadaan and the pilgrimage to the House of Allaah, in Makkah, Jihaad or striving in way of Allaah, following the permissible, and leaving the forbidden. In fact, this carries within itself a complete code of life i.e. cleanlines, prayer, matters concerning human relations like marriage and divorce, crimes and punishments; charities, war and peace and other worldly affairs. So we find that the Deen or the way of life of Allaah includes all that is beneficial for His servants - lawful earning and ultimate end and their contingencies - in short includes everything that- is needed by a person for a successful living in this world and the Hereafter. 'I'his system of life invites people to excellence in morals and good actions, checks from evil deeds and immoral practices. This is real worship and leadership- This is how a person becomes a devout worshipper of Allaah and the commander of the army as well; this is prayer and also leadership - a happy blending of service and leadership because a real worshipper of Allaah offers prayers, keeps fasts and also enjoins to carry out Allaah's commandments and enforces the Sharee’ah of Allaah -- service and Jehad both. In this way a Muslim calls people to the way of Allaah, and also makes Jihaad (striving for the sake of Allaah) in the way of Allaah that is he fights against a person who turns renegade. Thus he follows the Qur’aan and wields the sword (if and when necessary); ponders and meditates on the verses of the Qur’aan, enforces its commandments with determination even by the use of force if necessary. Thus the call to the way of Allaah is a social as well as political obligation as it calls the people to good morals, brotherhood of faith, unites and organises the Muslims as Allaah, the Supreme, says in the Qur’aan.
“And hold fast all of you together to the rope of Allaah and do not separate.” (3 : 103)
Thus the divine religion invites the people towards a sagacious and healthy polity in which there is unity, not separatism and mutual togetherness, not aloofness. It invites to cleanse the hearts and teaches respcet for Islamic brotherhood; calls the people to virtue, goodness and towards well-being and prosperity; enjoins to return the trust; it calls (the people) to tread the path of the Sharee’ah, and forbids what is not covered by the Qur’aan. Allaah, the Almighty says:
“Lo ! Allaah commands you that you restore deposits to their owners, and, if you judge between mankind, that you judge justly.” (6 : 58)
This Deen, (Allaah's way of life), also covers politics, and economics. As it is based on worship and jihaad, so the foundation of its economy has also been laid on Sharee’ah. It is balanced, neither more nor less, but it is just balance. It is neither capitalistic, nor based upon cruelty, oppression or egression. It does not believe in an economic system which does not avoid acquisition of forbidden and unlawful things and gathers wealth unscrupulously by hook or by crook. Its economic temperament is neither communistic, nor atheistic that does not respect private wealth, and does not hesitate to commit excesses and atrocities upon people, rather it is a balanced system and following a middle course. The people of the West considered wealth everything and exceeded all limits to acquire the same; they gathered wealth through all means, lawful and unlawful, and rushed towards the things which are forbidden by Allaah. In the East, Soviet Russia and those who follow its system are atheists. They do not respect an individual's private property and seize it from the people forcibly, without any compunction for the excesses committed by them, but on the contrary, enslave other nations, brought ruin upon others, refused to recogonise any religion or the existence of God, and proclaim that there is no God, and that matter is everything. So they took forcibly the wealth of- all persons without any justification. They did not feel any pricking of conscience in ruining people and destroying their wealth, they did not consider worthwhile (the benefits of) the menas of lawful earning that God has sanctioned, and has allowed in the earnings by means of hand, profits, exploitation of natural resources or through the application of reason (or knowledge of technology.) Islaam's economic system is diametrically opposed to the communistic theory, stands for the protection of property, and teaches (us) to earn through lawful means. According to Islaam usury is strictly forbidden; it also prohibits taking of one's assets forcibly. It respects and recognises the sanctity of personal property and also respects inviolability of the collective wealth. Islaam creates a liaison between individual and collective economic relations; and presents a simple, balanced and moderate economic system before those who believe in usurpation and employ excessive methods in taking the wealth of others. Islaam has declared possession of wealth lawful, and has invited to acquire it, but in a judicious way, which may not hamper a person from his obligations to Allaah and His Prophet (
).
Almighty Allaah has declared in the Qur’aan:
“And eat not up your property among yourselesin vanity.” (2 : 188)
The Prophet of Allaah (
) said:
"A Muslim's property, his blood., and his honour is forbidden to another Muslim."
Again the Messenger of Allaah (
) said:
"Indeed your blood, your wealth and your honour are forbidden to each other, as the importance and the sacredness of this day in this month, and in this city."
And the Messenger of Allaah (
) further said: "
Surely, the person who brings a bundle of wood duly tied down on his back and sells it, and this besmears this hardship on his face, is better than to beg before others, quite possible they may give him or may not.”
The Prophet of Allaah (
) was asked:
"Which type of earning is the best?" He (
) replied: "The earning by hand and (one through) fair trade."
The Messenger of Allaah (
) further said:
"No food is better than the one earned through ones hands, and the Prophet of Allaah Daawood (A.S.) ( the Prophet David) used to earn his living by means of his hand".
The above fact establishes that the Islamic economic system is well balanced and moderate it is neither opperssive and capitalistic like those of the western nations nor it is like those atheistic communists, who have declared all (other peoples) wealth as lawful for themselves, dishonoured the (real) owners of the wealth, enslaved them and subjugated other nations and passed orders against them, and declared lawful (Halaal) what is pronounced by Almighty Allaah as unlawful (Haraam). As it is proper for you to adopt the lawful means of earning (as enjoined by Sharee’ah), surely you are better entitled to earning those things through lawful means (according to Sharee’ah) which have been legalised by Allaah. Islaam also invites you towards brotherly feelings based on faith, to do good to others and to respect Muslims, for the sake of Allaah; it calls upon you to shun illwill, malice, vanity, misappropriation and similar other vices. Thus Allaah wants to keep clean every Muslim from all such evil acts as has been said by Him:
“And the believers, men and women are protecting friends one of another.” (9 : 71)
And Allaah, the Supreme, has also said:
“The believers are naught else than brothers.” (49 : 10)
The Prophet of Allaah (
) said:
"A Muslim is naught else than a brother to another Muslim; he neither derogates him, nor commits excess on him." Thus a Muslim is brother of another Muslim, whose honouring is incumbent upon him and whose disrespect is forbidden. It is necessary to do justice to him and give him his due rights by all means the Sharee’ah of Allaah has declared the things as essential; and the Prophet of Allaah (
) has said: "The Muslims as a whole are like a wall and every Muslim strengthens it." And the Messenger of Allaah (
) further said: "A Muslim is a mirror for another Muslim."
Therefore '0' brother you are a mirror for your brother, and you are the brick of the wall which was founded on the brotherhood of faith. So fear Allaah, lest you neglect the right of your brother; do realize his rights, treat him justly, faithfully and truly. It is necessary for you to accept Islaam completely; do not act upon one thing, and leave the other. Guard against only accepting the belief and neglecting the deeds and morals; nor you may only adopt deeds and morals neglecting the belief. In short, we must adopt Islaam in its entirety, that is in belief, action, worship. Jihaad in social matters, politics and economics, in other words a perfect Muslim, as has been enjoined by Almighty Allaah.
“ ‘0’ you who believe ! Enter perfectly into Islaam and follow not the footsteps of Satan. Verily! he is to you a plain enemy .” (2 : 208)
One group of the learned men of the past has explained the meaning of the verse as to completely enter the fold of Islaam -- the perfect citedal of protection. Islaam has been described as peace and protection because it is the way to peace and safety, both in this world and the Hereafter. So Islaam invites you to salvation - Calls upon you to shed blood for the sake of true Jihaad (striving for the cause of Allaah) for the enforcement of divine justice and retribution. Islaam is faith of safety and protection, that is why Allaah the Exalted says:
“Enter into Islaam Perfectly.” (2 : 208)
Which means to enter the fold of Islaam completely in all sections. You should be careful not to adopt some and leave the rest, but adopt Islaam in frill
“And follow not the footsteps of devil.” (2 : 208)
It means that the devil calls you to disobedience and transgression, and urges you to leave the teachings of Islaam completely, as the Devil is the biggest enemy of Islaam. So it is essential for a Muslim to adopt Islaam completely hold fast the rope of Allaah, avoid sectarianism and formation of groups. You should follow the commandments of Allaah in your prayers, in matters of marriage, divorce, and maintenance of dependants (e.g. sucking the child) dealing with friends and enemies, in peace and war - in short, Allaah's commandments should be adopted in every walk of life. Avoid making friendship with somebody simply because he happens to have supported you on some occasion, and similarly the basis of your enmity should not be the fact that a person had opposed you on some matter. This is against justice. The Companions (r.a.a.) of the Messenger of Allaah (
) at times differed among themselves on some points, these difference of opinions could not affect their clear heartedness without affecting the cordiality of their friendship. (They were pleased with Allaah and Allaah was pleased with them). Now it is evident that a Muslim acts according to the Sharee’ah (Allaah's way), deals with every body justly, truth is his guide. Such a person never commits injustice or wrong to his brother; and does not deal unjustly with him because he had differed with him on some points where there was scope for a variety of interpretations and explanations. Similarly it makes no difference if there is possibilty of interpretation in the basic injunctions as it is difficult to achieve unanimity on such matters. Your duty is only to seek the good of the concerned person under all circumstances and treat him with affection and love. The Deen - Islaam - does not teach you to create differences and dissensions amongst yourselves and create enemies without the least justification .(There is no power or authority except that of Allaah).
Islaam is the religion of justice; It is the religion of reign of truth, goodness and equality, except in case of exemptions made by Almighty Allaah. The call of this religion (Deen) is an invitation to all that is good, it invites to the blessings of moral virtues and decency of act and lastly it is a call to justice and fair play. It is a religion calling to shun every kind of moral degradation and immorality as Allaah, the Exalted, enjoins in the Qur’aan.
“Verily ! Allaah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may take heed.” (16 : 90)
And Allaah, the Great, says:
“ ‘O’ Mankind ! Verily! We have created you from a male and female and made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Verily! the noblest of you in the sight of Allaah is the best in conduct. Verily! Allaah is knower, Aware.” (49 : 13) In short, it is incumbent upon every preacher calling people towards Islaam to invite people to enter the fold of Islaam in full submission, without creating any distinction between different people and without showing prejudice against any other school, tribe, Sheikh or Chief, creeds, on the contrary their chief aim should be to prove the truth, to explain it and preach to the people to stick to it, without caring in the least that such and such person holds opposite views and he is working against it. Because when prejudice develops, and it is said that the school of such and such person is better, then it creates dissensions and hatred so much so that a person does not offer prayer under the leadership (Imaamah) of another person who belongs to another school of thought of the same. Shaafi’ee does not offer prayer behind Hanafee or Maalikee’s. Some extremely prejudiced persons have done like this. This is a great calamity and amounts to following the footsteps of the Devil. All the Imaams of different schools of jurisprudence of Islaam, were rightly guided Imaams. Imaams Maalik, Ahmad, Abu Haneefah, Auzaa'ee, Ishaaq bin Raahwayh and the like were all religious leaders inviting the people towards truth; they invited them to the way of Allaah and showed them the way of Allaah. No doubt in some problems there have been differences of opinion due to the implied meanings, but they were all rightly guides Mujtahids (Interpreters) of Islaam. A person who interprets correctly, earns two rewards while, the other, who commits an error in its interpretation, has been awarded with a single reward. Your duty is to know and realize their status and importance, and ask for blessings from Allaah for them, and at the same time recognise them to be the preacher of Islaam and Imaam (Leader) of the faith Islaam. This should not be done with blind following and extreme fanaticism. Do not say that such and such school of thought is better in all respect, and do not say that the religion of such and such is of such a kind that there is no possiblity of any mistake. This is a presumption. Your duty is to adopt the true faith and follow it, when you are convinced of its truth and authenticity, irrespective of the fact that some one is against it. Neither you should be prejudiced nor a blind follower, but on the contrary should acknowledge the excellence of the Imaams (religious jurists ) taking of course due precaution about yourself and your religion. True religion, should only be accepted, take inspiration and guidance from truth. Fear Allaah, and realize that you are always being watched by Allaah ,the Exalted. Do justice to your self and your faith, as, (the true religion).The truth is only one. If the Mujtahideen (distinguished jurists of Islamic Law) have interpreted correctly, they are entitled to two rewards otherwise only one. This I am telling about those Mujtahids who belong to the Sunni School of thought who are learned, faithful and the guided ones as reported in the true hadeeth of the Prophet Muhammad (
).
The aims and objects of the Da’wah (the Message for the People from Allaah) is to take out the people from darkness towards enlightenment, and to guide them in such a way that they may adopt the true religion and be saved from the fire of Hell and the wrath of Allaah. It is to enable the Kaafir (non-believer) to come out of the darkness of Kufr (Non-belief) to the light of guidance; to bring the ignorant out from dakness of ignorance to the light of knowledge; and the disobedient (renegade) to be brought from the darkness of sins to the light of obedience. The rightly guided preachers do practice on these lines, and start movements to bring people from the darkness towards the light and save them from the fire of Hell, and the servility of the devil, and thus to free the people from the slavery of their own selfish desires, and to place them under obedience of Almighty Allaah and the Prophet and the Messenger of Allaah (
).
:wasalamex
To be Continued!!
.