"I want my friend to be Muslim
But what do I say?
How Do I Give . .
Please help me!"
Muslims Are Asking About the "Secrets of Dawah"
How to call others to Islam
Here is the translation of: The Methodology of Prophets Calling To Allah
From Islam Tomorrow .com
The Methodology of the Prophets In Calling To Allah
- author unknown
All the prophets, peace be upon them all, called others to follow them toward the success of belief and actions to please the One God of the universe (not Trinity).
Allah says to prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in Quran:
Say, O Muhammad, This is my way, I call to Allah upon certain knowledge - I, and those who follow me. I declare Allaah free and far removed from all that they associate as partners with Him, and I am free of those who worship anything else along with Him. [Surah Yusuf 12:108]
Certainly, calling people to the worship of the One God and serving Him in all we do (Islam) was something each true prophet of the One Almighty God did in their lives.
People need to be called out of darkness and into light, from false beliefs to true Faith, from shirk to tawheed, and from the Fire to Paradise.
The call to Allah established upon foundations which are absolutely essential. If any of these are missing the da'wah will not be correct and will not produce the desired results - no matter how much effort is expended and time wasted - and this is the reality which we witness with regard to many of the present day calls which are not supported by those pillars and built upon those foundations.
These pillars which support the correct da'wah are clearly shown in the Book and the Sunnah, and can be summarised as follows:
1. Knowledge of that which one calls to:
Since the ignorant person is not suitable to be a caller (daa'ee). Allaah, the Most High, says to Muhammad, peace be upon him:
Say, This is my way, I call to Allaah (to the testification that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone, having no partner) upon certain knowledge (baseerah). I, and those who follow me. [Surah Yusuf 12:108]
Baseerah is knowledge. So the caller is certain to face those who are scholars of misguidance, those who will attack him with doubts and futile arguments in order to rebut the truth. Allaah, the Most High, says:
And argue with them in a way that is better. [Surah an-Nahl 16:125]
Prophet, peace be upon him, sent Muath to the Jews and Christians of Yemen to call them to the truth of surrender to Allah (Islam) and told him, "I am sending you to the People of the Book (Jews & Christians); teach them at-Tawheed (monotheism). If they accept that, teach them salat (connect worship to Allah) and if they accept that teach them Zakat (charity)...."
2. Acting in accordance with that which he calls to:
So that he will be a good example - his actions attesting to his words, and leaving no excuse for the opponents of the Truth. Allaah, the Most High, said about His Prophet Shu'ayb that he said to his people:
I do not wish to forbid you from something and then do it myself. rather I only wish to rectify you as far as I am able. [Surah Hood 11:88]
Allah says in Quran to prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
Say, O Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam): Indeed my Prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all purely and solely for Allaah, Lord of all the Worlds. There is no share in any of that for other than Him. That is what my Lord ordered me, and I am the first of this nation to submit to Allaah as a Muslim. [Surah al-An'aan 6:162-163]
Allah the Most High, said in Quran:
Who is better in speech than one who calls the people to Allaah and does righteous deeds? [Surah Fussilat 41:33]
3. Purity of intention (Al-Ikhlaas):
Such that the call is made purely and sincerely to seek the Face of Allaah (and seeking His Reward) - not for show, or repute, or status, or leadership, nor desiring worldly goals - since if any of these goals adulterate it, the call will not be for Allaah, rather it would then be a call for oneself or for the attainment of the worldly goal - as Allaah informs that His Prophets said to their people:
I do not ask you for any reward for conveying this Qur`aan. [Surah al-An'aam 6:90]
I do not ask you for any wealth for my admonition. [Surah Hood 11:29]