Da’wah and me

Bint Hasan One of the worst calamities faced by the Muslim ummah (nation) was in 1258, when Genghis Khan’s grandson, Hulagu Khan and his people ravaged through the city of Baghdad. They committed numerous atrocities, massacring the Muslims. They made the Muslim blood lawful, until they drenched the city in it. It is one of the darkest parts of Islamic history; a horrible carnage and catastrophe that history has borne witness to. Crimes so heinous were committed; that it has left an indelible mark in our hearts, a time when the Muslim world was ransacked and decimated. An era which witnessed 800,000 Muslims butchered mercilessly. When reading the history, a question arises in our minds: how then in only 80 years did these barbaric Mongols, who were so opposed to the religion, eventually and voluntarily convert to Islam? By the mercy of Allah, it was due to those remaining Muslims who even in those tragic moments continued to work for Islam, enjoining good and forbidding evil. As a result of the example of these Muslims who had survived, the Mongolians took a complete turnover, and in a few decades, they raised the banner of Islam as their religion. It was at this time when women too were at the forefront of dawah, inviting others to Islam. If the Mongolians who massacred Muslims could find the truth in Islam, then so too can our many enemies today. Muslims continue to be massacred in Syria, in Burma, in Palestine, and across the globe. This gives rise to a very important question, a question in need of comprehension, a question we need to ask ourselves indeed: what have we done for Islam? Have we served this ummah? Did we strive to spread the message of Islam and to spread goodness in this world? This duty is incumbent upon every Muslim, as was mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. {And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.} (Chapter 3, verse 104) And, what about the famous Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)? He (peace be upon him) said, “Convey from me, even one verse.” (Sahih Bukhari) It is not a voluntary deed, dear readers, but in fact an obligatory one. The obligation is further emphasized by the following verse which explains that not conveying the message, or hiding knowledge, is disobedience to Allah that causes Allah’s curse to descend upon such people. {Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse.} (Chapter 2, verse 159) Many Muslims in the past have died for the cause of da’wah, or calling others to Islam. The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed their lives to promote and spread the religion of Islam, in hopes of attaining Allah’s pleasure, and enlightening countless others. The question remains directed to me and to you: have we fulfilled our duty in this regard? The barbaric Mongolians converted to Islam. Today, the flag of Islam raises itself high in several countries, and Muslims occupy an extremely large portion of the globe. Would this have been the case if Muslims in the past had not adhered to the commands of Allah and invited others to this deen? This undoubtedly shows the extreme importance of da’wah in our lives. We definitely need to make da’wah a part of our everyday routine. We have ample opportunities to give da’wah at our workplace, colleges, on the bus, at the airport, and more. It is our duty to make the best of these moments. And we need to remember, that sometimes da’wah is not just what we say, but more so how we act and what we do to show the example of the beautiful, kind character of a true Muslim. We can each contribute to the development and growth of the Muslim ummah. We need to find the motivation within ourselves by thinking of our ancestors and how they spread Islam. Giving da’wah is obligatory, and we will be questioned. So, let’s prepare ourselves and realize the importance of da’wah and implement it in our daily lives. I end with the supplication, “O Allah, beautify us with the adornment of faith and make us of those who guide and are rightly guided.”