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WARNINGS TO THE DAA’EE
Sh. 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Baaz
Excerpted from the book "Words Of Advice Regarding Da'wah"
1. Beware of being extreme
It is correct to name this awakening which pleases and excites every believer, an Islamic movement, an Islamic revival and an Islamic movement. It is necessary to encourage and guide this awakening towards adhering and clinging to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) as well as warning leaders and individuals within this awakening from exceeding the limits, exaggerating and being extreme in their actions. In accordance with what Allah says in the Qur'aan, O people of the scripture, do not exceed the limits in your religion. [An-Nisaa 171] The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is reported to have said: "O you people, beware of being extreme and exceeding the limits in the religion, for that which destroyed the people before you was none other than extremism in the religion." He (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) also said: "The extremists are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed, the extremists are destroyed."
2. Speaking about Allah without knowledge
Beware of speaking about Allah, the Most High, without knowledge. It is not permissible for one who believes in Allah, the Most High, and the Last Day to say: 'This is halaal and this is haraam' or 'This is permissible and this is prohibited', except with a proof and completely depending upon that. It should be sufficient for him to do what the people of knowledge did before him, and that is to restrain oneself from rushing into saying that which he does not know but rather to say: "Allah knows best" or "I do not know".
How excellent is the speech of the angels when they said to their Lord, Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except that which You taught us. [Al-Baqarah 32]
When the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) were asked about something that they did not know, they would say: "Allah and His Messenger know best." This is only because of the completeness of their knowledge and their faith and their glorification of Allah, and being far removed from embarking on matters beyond them.
3. Beware of accusing someone of disbelief or being sinful without proof
Indeed it is a most dangerous matter for one to dare to accuse some one of disbelief or of being sinful without proof and authorization from the Qur'aan and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam). There is no doubt that this is insolence towards Allah and His religion and it is also speaking about Him without knowledge. This is also in contradiction to the behavior of the people of knowledge and faith from among the pious predecessors, radiallaahu 'anhum. May Allah make us from amongst their followers in righteousness.
It has been authentically reported that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: "Whoever says to his brother, 'O kaafir!' It returns to one of them." He also said: "Anyone who called his brother 'O kaafir!' Or 'O enemy of Allah!' And it was not correct, it would return back to him." [Saheeh al-Bukhaari] i.e., whatever he said falls back on him. This is a strong threat, warning the people of accusing others of disbelieving and being sinful, except when they have sure knowledge and understanding. This and other evidences are also a warning that one should be careful to guard his tongue, and only say that which is good.
4. Beware of being hasty.
How many calamities, difficulties and problems have afflicted those who are hasty! The days and nights are going and leaving behind the traces and consequences of hastiness! How much corruption and destruction and un-praiseworthy consequences have occurred because of partisanship and the following of desires? We ask Allah to keep us safe from that.
5. Beware of partisanship to a group.
It is not permissible for one to blindly follow this person or that person, or the opinion of such and such a person. Nor should he follow blindly the methodology, or group of any individual.
Differing, It's Effects and Cure
There is no doubt that differing is one of the greatest trials and calamities to befall the Muslim Ummah. It is one of the reasons why efforts are being wasted and truth is lost. Differing among Islamic groups and Islamic centers, harms the Islamic da'wah. The only way that they can succeed is to have a unification of goals and is that they all exert their efforts and work together towards the goal which will secure the power and glory of Islam and the safety of the Muslims. It is necessary for every group, institution and community who want success in the Hereafter to help each other enjoin al-Birr (righteousness) and taqwa (piety). They should be sincere in their actions towards Allah and their primary concern should be the victory of Allah's deen, so that everyone can join together upon the truth and work upon what Allah has said in His Book, Help you one another in al-Birr and at-Taqwa. [Al-Maaidah 2]
My advice for the daa'ees is that they should make sure that the actions should be done sincerely and purely for the sake of Allah, the Most High, alone. They should help one another in al-Birr and Taqwa and agree to rule by the Qur'aan and Sunnah whenever a disagreement breaks out amongst them, in accordance to what Allah says in the Qur'aan, “And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [An-Nisaa 59]
By this the goal will be one and the same and the efforts to search for success and warn away from following desires will be unified. Allah, the Most High, says, But if they answer you not, they know that they only follow their own lusts, and who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? [Al-Qasas 50]
Allah says in the Qur'aan addressing His Prophet and His Messenger Daawood, 'alaihis-salaam, O Dawood! Verily We have placed you as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth and follow not your desire, for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. [ Saad 26]
Beware of Blind Support or Opposition Because Their Opinion Agrees or Conflicts With Yours
The deen of Allah must be the authority that judges everything. Beware of following your brother just because he agrees with you over an opinion and oppose another because he disagrees with you over an opinion or an issue. This is not being just or fair. We know that the sahaabah differed in issues, but this did not effect the good faith, support and love between them, radiallaahu 'anhum. So the believer acts by Allah's laws and he accepts and submits to the truth and he makes it precede everything else.
The believer should not oppress his brother, or act unjustly towards him if he differs with him over an opinion from the issues of Ijtihaad, in which the proofs may not be clear or issues in which there may be differing interpretations of the text. He may have an excuse, so you must advise him and love the khair (goodness) for him and do not allow the differing to induce and prompt aggression and discord between you. Do not enable the enemy to take advantage of you and your brother. And there is no movement or power except with Allah the Most High.
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CAN MUSLIMS USE THE BIBLE IN DAWAH?
Author Unknown
The hadith of Umar is often given as a reason against the use of the Bible in Dawah. However, this use of Umar's hadith is based on a failure to distinguish between using the Bible for guidance and using the Bible for Dawah. Umar's hadith teaches that we cannot use the Bible for guidance. That hadith does not prevent us from using the Bible for Dawah.
In brief, the hadith says that Umar, raa, came to the prophet, saws, with a copy of the Torah saying here is a copy of the book that was revealed to the prophet Moses, as. As he began to read it the prophet's face showed displeasure until Abu Bakr, raa, alerted Umar to notice this. Umar, raa, then promptly closed the scroll and reaffirmed his satisfaction with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad, saws, as prophet and messenger. The prophet then remarked that if the prophet Musa, as, were alive today he would have to follow the prophet Muhammad, saws.
That in a nutshell is the gist of the hadith. Obviously, the Hadith deals with the question of where to find guidance today. The Bible therefore cannot be used for our guidance. The hadith does not prevent us from making reference to the Bible in the limited manner which I will now describe.
The easiest way to prove a point to a person who believes in the Bible is to make reference to the Bible. This does not mean you believe in the Bible or consider it true in even that portion. It makes no difference whether or not you the caller to Islam believes in the Bible passage you are citing. It is important to believe what you preach, but remember that you are not preaching the Bible. You are simply reminding Christians and Jews that if they had read their Bibles carefully they would have to accept Islam.
To illustrate this point, consider that you quote the saying of Jesus in the Gospel of John where Jesus says: "The Father is greater than I." This verse will refute anyone who says he believes the Bible and yet he says that Jesus is equal to the Father. Now you do not call God "Father." But the Christian cannot turn around and demand that on the strength of the same verse you should now dare to call God Father." You will have to remind him that the Bible is a proof against him, not against you. You were just asking him why his statement about Jesus is opposite to his Bible's statement about Jesus. He cannot now ask you why your statement about God is different from the Bible because you never claimed to believe in the entire bible.
The Christian can only have a point if he shows that what the Muslim says is contrary to what the Qur'an says. But he will not have a point because Islam is built on the Qur'an. Islam cannot possibly be opposite to the Qur'an. On the other hand, Christianity was not built on the Bible. Christianity began long before the Bible was written and developed independently of the Bible. Some of Christianity's central doctrines are contrary to the Bible; herein lies the problem.
The best way to deal with this problem is to show Christians where the Bible teaches that Jesus is not equal to God, that he could not have died for the sins of the world, and that Jesus directed his followers to believe in the prophet who was to come after him.
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MESSAGE FOR MUSLIMS IN THE WEST
Maulana Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (rah)
Summary of a speech delivered in Urdu at Dewsbury in 1982.
Prepared by Sulaiman Kazi
Source: Al-Jamiat Publications
Your warm reception and friendliness is a source of great happiness for me. If I do not respect your wishes and express my inner feelings, I would be most ungrateful. If I desire, I could shower you with praises, for Almighty Allah has bestowed me with an abundance of vocabulary, but I would not be fulfilling the right of friendship.
As you are aware, the Prophet (saws) had a burning desire to invite humanity to accept Islam. Despite 13 years of untiring effort in Makkatul Mukarramah and 7 years in Madinatul Munawwarah, there was no large scale conversion of non-Muslims into Islam. However, between 7 AH and 10 AH, after Fateh Makkah until the Prophet's demise, there was such an influx of people entering into Islam as was not witnessed in the preceding 20 years.
Imam Zuhri (rah), an eminent Muhaddith and Tabee, expresses surprise on this sea change, with so many people embracing Islam in a matter of just 3 years. He along with other distinguished Muhaddith have commented that this large scale conversion was due to non-Muslims having an opportunity, for the first time, to observe and intermingle with Muslims, witnessing their honesty, fair dealing, compassion, and their sole reliance on Almighty Allah. This left such a deep and profound impression on non-Muslims that thousands entered into the fold of Islam within a relatively short period of time.
This incident also contains abundant lessons on how Muslims should live in this country. Their conduct should be so sublime and captivating that whosoever sees us accepts Islam. Whosoever sits with us should be inclined towards Islam. There should be no need to convince anyone to accept the Truth.
Therefore, in this country, if you wish to live peacefully and have an opportunity to present Islam to the host community, you will need to inculcate and manifest sterling qualities, not just inside the Mosques, but also outside in the streets, in the markets, in your daily activities, and at home. A life of Taqwah will immediately attract non-Muslims towards Islam.
As an ordinary student of Islam it is my religious responsibility to warn you. If you do not lead an upright life, if you continue to live an insular lifestyle, and if you fail to manifest the beauty of Islam to non-Muslims, then you face some real dangers. In such a case, there is no reason for you to feel content and secure in this country.
If ever the fire of race, religion or nationalism rages here, then you will not be saved. In Spain, there were Mosques a hundred times more beautiful than yours. So do not feel content and self-satisfied. As an ordinary student of religion, I would wish to express my joy and happiness at this wonderful new Mosque. But how shall I congratulate you on your achievement when the words of congratulation are self-evident on the walls. How better can I compliment you?
Others may not speak to you as plainly, but remember the glorious Masjid-e-Cordova still stands in Spain. Iqbal so eloquently reminisces the great legacy of Islamic Spain in his famous poem Masjid-e-Qurtaba. In Islamic Spain there were such brilliant Mosques, celebrated Madressahs, famous scholars, for instance Shaykh-e-Akbar, Ibne Hazm, Qurtubi, Shatbi - and how many others shall I mention? However, when the flames of religious sectarianism raged, then the Mosques and Madressahs became deserted. Once Islamic Spain boasted such magnificent structures, distinguished educational centres, and a refined culture and society. Regrettably the Muslims, despite such a high standard of living, did not draw the native non-Muslims of that country to see the Truth of Islam, to warn them of the dangers of disbelief, with the result that religious violence subsequently consumed Muslims like a morsel. The Arabs with their glowing history, architectural splendour, vast ocean of knowledge, were displaced from the country, and today the ears eagerly wait to hear the Adhaan and the empty Mosques thirst for your Salaat.
You must earn your place in this country. You should leave an imprint on the host community of your usefulness. You must demonstrate your existence here is more beneficial than that of the native people. You must impart on them the lessons of humanity. You should demonstrate how noble and principled you are, and that there cannot be found more upright humans elsewhere besides you. You need to establish your worth, that you are a blessing and mercy for this country. However if you decide to live in an enclosed environment content with your Prayers and Fasting, apathetic to the people and society you live in, never introducing them to the high Islamic values, and your own personal qualities, then beware lest any religious or sectarian violence flares up. In such a situation you will not find safety.
I pray to Almighty Allah my prediction is totally untrue and baseless. Remember, you are guests here. Your Tabligh, Mosques, Madressahs, Ibaadah, and religious sacrifices are all worthy of commendation. May Almighty Allah grant you Barakah, but do not forget to earn your place in this country. Gain mastery of the national language and become proficient so that you can use it effectively to propagate Islam. Prepare writers and orators and, although you will distance yourself from their religion, do not distance yourself from them. Earn credibility through your daily activities, so much so that if you are entrusted with onerous responsibilities, as was Prophet Yusuf (as), you do not shirk but embrace all challenges wholeheartedly.
You will have to present a new pattern of life to this country. You will not earn recognition by exerting yourselves in the workplace. If you overwork, you will looked upon disparagingly and be likened to horses and bulls and labeled as money making machines. However if you can show to the natives here that you are worshippers of Almighty Allah and not wealth, you do not bow before power but only before virtue, you are humans and think like humans, you are concerned not only about yourselves but also about others, and you are compassionate not just to your own children but also to theirs - and to them - you are earnestly concerned about the path of destruction they have chosen for themselves, you will then earn their respect. They will begin to respect Islam and become desirous of studying it. They will ask you for literature concerning Islamic beliefs and practices, and an opportunity will arise here for you to propagate Islam.
However if you remain preoccupied in eating and working and engaged in Prayers, indifferent to what is happening in the country, insulated within Muslims, totally apathetic to what is happening outside, which direction the country is taking, in such a situation if there is any trouble you will not be able to save yourselves.
I have been meaning to convey and emphasise this message to you, because I do not know whether I will be able visit you in the future. You gathered here with love and affection and therefore it was easy for me. As a student of religion it would have been convenient for me to suggest virtues of reciting various Zikr or prescribe certain Wazifahs, but you might not have had an opportunity of listening to the message I have just conveyed from anyone else.
Please strengthen your position in this country and earn your recognition. Do not be like a straw or crop that is uprooted by the slightest breeze. You should be so firm that not even a hurricane is able to shift you. Display such noble character that you enslave the natives, then see how these people will stand to defend you. If there is the slightest opposition against you, they will be the first ones to argue on your behalf and vouch what a blessing you are for them.
May Almighty Allah grant us the ability to understand what is right; may He bless and protect you. Ameen.
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