Why give Dawah?

Many of us experienced times when we ponder whether or not to give dawah to people around us. Something holds us back. Thoughts cross our mind: What will I say? How do I approach him/her? Will they think I’m weird? What if I give bad dawah?

By the time we decide, we miss the oppurtunity! Not like they’d become Muslim anyway. Whats the point? I’ll just do dawah by being a Muslim. We prevent the thoughts from arising again. And we may or may not ever realize the consequences of our actions. On the Day of Judgment, will we be able to answer Allaah for not conveying the message to the people whom we live with? Work with? Study with? Commute with? Carry out transactions with?

Still not convinced? Let’s ponder upon a few verses insha Allaah.

“Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: “O my son! Join not in worship (others) with Allah: for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing.” (Luqman 31: 13)

The GREATEST thulm that a person can ever commit is the one toward the Creator of all that exists!

“Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin.” (Nisaa 4: 48)

This is the only action that He will not forgive.

“And as to those who believe and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards; and Allah does not love the unjust.” (Al-Imran 3: 57 )

They are without the love of Allaah, and committing the greatest thulm, and that prevents them from success. Should we not try to convey the message to stop the greatest thulm? What happens if we neglect our duty?

“And (as for) these towns, We destroyed them when they acted unjustly, and We have appointed a time for their destruction.” (Al-Kahf 18: 59)

Allaah will seize and destroy the unjust and their town! Whose towns? Are we not living in their towns? Will we get punished too?

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “If people see a wrong-doer and they do not take him by his hand (to stop him), then soon Allaah will inflict them all with a punishment from Him.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

How do we help the wrong doers (thaleemoon)?

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Help your brother whether he be the oppressor or the oppressed.” The companions asked, how should we help the oppressor?. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said,“prevent him from commiting thulm, and that is helping him “(Al-Bukhari)

Subhan Allaah, in this case, both the oppressed and the oppressor are the same, they are the ones who commit thulm upon themself by closing the path to success! So wait, are we responsible for the shirk disbelievers commit?

Then, if they turn away, thy duty (O Muhammad) is but plain conveyance (of the message). (Surah Nahl 16:82)

We are only responsible only for our actions, whether or not we conveyed the message. Based on all these commands from Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), a person must convey the message as regularly as possible and in the best manner and with the best speech! Let us make more effort to do our duties and to follow the commands of Allaah. What is considered the best speech?

And who is better in speech than he who [says: My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah’s (Islamic Monotheism) and does righteous deeds, and says: “I am one of the Muslims.” (41, 33)

May Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta’aala) forgive our shortcomings and accept our deeds in trying to fulfill our obligations! (Ameen!)