Introduction
A believer should spare as much time as possible for inviting and encouraging others towards the commandments of Allah Ta’ala, even if he has to leave his home and family for this noble cause. Whilst spending time in the path of Allah Ta’ala one should try to bring these qualities or lessons practically into his life because experience shows that by staying in the home environment with one’s family and attending to one’s business or job, one can neither easily learn or teach the different aspects of Deen, nor can one adopt the Sunnah way of life particularly in this age of materialism. Therefore, one should temporarily set aside his worldly commitments to serve Allah Ta’ala and His true Deen. He should join a Jamaat of brothers going out in the path of Allah Ta’ala so that they could call and encourage those who are totally engrossed in their worldly commitments and have forgotten the life of the Aakhirah, to the right path. The duty of the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ was to invite the sinners and negligent people towards Allah Ta’ala and to encourage them to obey His commandments. This duty has now been entrusted to the Muslims. To truly follow Rasulullah ﷺ requires that every Muslim should devote himself to the mission of Rasulullah ﷺ and should sacrifice everything for inviting towards the true Deen of Islam. Just as Rasulullah ﷺ himself patiently bore so many troubles for the sake of Islam, similarly every follower of his should also follow in his footsteps. The companions of Rasulullah ﷺ had fully understood what the mission of Tabligh required from them, and therefore tolerated the troubles of this world for the sake of attaining the blessings and favours of Allah Ta’ala in the Aakhirah. They happily devoted themselves to the service of Allah Ta’ala and preferred the needs of Deen over the needs of this worldly life. They sometimes ate leaves or a single date and walked barefoot on long journeys in the path of Allah Ta’ala. During the time of the Sahabah, it was necessary to propagate Islam so that it spread far and wide, but today we only have to revive it. We should try to follow the example of the Sahaabah who fulfilled this mission by sacrificing their lives. Rasulullah ﷺ has clearly informed us that to leave one’s home and family for the cause of Allah Ta’ala carries great rewards in the Aakirah. Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Whoever spends his morning or evening in the path of Allah Ta’ala, his reward will be much more than the whole world and whatever is in it.” (Bukhaari and Muslim) In another Hadith he says, “The fire of Jahannam will not touch anyone whose feet becomes dusty whilst he is in the path of Allah Ta’ala.” When we invite people towards the commandments of Allah Ta’ala, then it means that we have fulfilled the responsibility of Tabligh and have revived it, regarding which Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “When people see others committing sins and do not prevent them from doing so, Allah Ta’ala will soon inflict a punishment on them, which will affect the common people as well as the pious.” A Hadith of ‘Tirmizi Shareef’ says, “I swear by Allah Ta’ala, you must command people with good deeds and prevent them from forbidden things or Allah Ta’ala will soon inflict a severe punishment on you and then even your Duas will not be heard by Him!” An Aayah of the Qur-aan Shareef says,
Translation: “There must be a group among you, who should invite people to good, and should command them with good things, and should prevent them from evil things; and certainly those will the successful.” (Surah Aale I’mraan – Aayah 104)
Another Aayah of the Qur-aan Shareef says,
Translation: “O Muslims! You are the best nation, who has been chosen for the guidance of mankind; you command people with good, and prevent them from evil, and have a firm faith in Allah!” (Surah Aale I’mraan – Aayah 110)
It has been reported by Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “You must encourage people to good deeds and prevent them from evil deeds, otherwise Allah Ta’ala will cause a tyrant to rule over you, who will neither respect your elders nor show mercy to your youngsters; then even the Duas of your pious people will not be granted by Allah Ta’ala; if you seek forgiveness from Him, He will not forgive you!”