Calling to Allah based on knowledge

Calling others to Allah (may He be Exalted) is the way of those who follow the Prophet (peace be upon him) truly. A Muslim abides by the ordinances of Islam and follows the commands of Allah (Glory be to Him), and the most important ordinances of Islam is abiding by the teachings of Islam in everything. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the Mushrikun, is that to which you (O Muhammad) call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience." [Surat Ash-Shura: 13].

Imam Al Alusy said: The meaning of "establish religion" is setting its pillars upright, protecting it from aberration, and keeping to it.

He added: The meaning of "Establish religion and make no divisions in it" is to make it standing; i.e., permanent and continuous without any disagreement or disorder. As for Allah's Saying: "Intolerable" i.e., it became hard and terrible for polytheists what you call them to i.e., (monotheism).[1]

The way of establishing the entire religion, not part of it, is calling to Allah (may He be Exalted), and the way of calling to Allah is hard and starts with urging oneself to learn the religion then acting according to its ordinances, then calling to it, then observing patience for hardships.

Ibn Al Qayyim said: Jihad is divided into four stages: Fighting one's desires, fighting Satan, fighting infidels, and fighting hypocrites. Jihad of one's vain desires are of four stages:

1- To urge oneself to learn guidance and the true religion.

2- To urge oneself to act according to his knowledge because knowledge without acting will be harmful.

3- To urge oneself to call to Allah, and teach people how to call to Allah otherwise a person shall be of those who conceal guidance and signs which Allah revealed. Moreover, his knowledge shall not benefit him and shall not rescue him from the torment of Allah.

4- To urge oneself to observe patience for the hardships of calling to Allah and the harm of people and enduring all these troubles for the sake of Allah. When a person completes these four stages, he shall become of the pious scholars of the Lord because the pious Predecessors are in agreement that a pious scholar must know the truth, act according to it, and teach it to people.[2]

There is no doubt that these four stages are the first step in calling to Allah to establish the religion and to call to Allah based on knowledge because this entails searching the following issues:

The first issue is: Knowledge.

The second issue is: Defining the stage.

The third issue: Clarity of goal.

The fourth issue: Methods of calling to Allah.

We shall study these four issues in the coming articles, so wait for them.

Excerpted from the book of "Al Basirah Fi Ad-Da`wah Ila Allah [Insight in calling to Allah]."

                   

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[1] Rawh Al Ma`any, Part 12, P. 572, Al Maktabah At-Tawfiqiyyah.

[2] Zad Al Ma`ad, Part 2, P. 39, Egypting Edition.