Introduction
I wish to mention a few Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef concerning Tableegh and Amr bil ma’roof (calling people towards Allah Ta’ala). The readers can easily see how important Allah Ta’ala regards calling people to Islam. I have come across as many as sixty Aayaat on this particular subject, and Allah Ta’ala alone knows how many more Aayaat could be found by another keen observer. I quote a few of them here for the benefit of every true Muslim.
Translation: “And whose words can be better than his, who calls (people) towards Allah, performs good deeds, and says: ‘I am one of those who obey Allah!’” (Surah Haameem Sajdah - Aayah 33)
Some commentators have written that whoever invites people to Allah Ta’ala in any way deserves the honour mentioned in the above Aayah. The Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ called people to Allah Ta’ala with miracles. The Ulama invite them by lectures, the Mujaahideen call them by means of the sword and the muazzins call them by means of the azaan. In short, whoever invites people to good deeds deserves this reward, whether he calls them to the external ibaadaat (e.g. Salaat, reciting the Qur-aan, etc.) or to reform the inner self, like the Sufis who stress on the purification of the heart and the recognition of Allah Ta’ala’s attributes. In the concluding verse quoted above, some commentators say that such a person should also be proud of the honour bestowed on him by Allah Ta’ala, of being categorised as a Muslim and he should proclaim this honour in words. Some other commentators interpret that he should not be proud of being a preacher but should consider himself as an ordinary Muslim.
Translation: “(O Nabi ﷺ ), Continue advising (reminding) because advice is beneficial for the Believers. (Surah Zaariyaat - Aayah 55)
The Mufassireen have written that ‘calling people to the truth’ means educating the Muslims through the Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef, as this would guide them to the right path. This method can also be useful for non-Muslims, because they may also accept Islam. The intention for people doing Tableegh should not be to show off their ability to deliver beautiful speeches. Rasulullahﷺ has said: “Whoever learns the art of giving speeches in order to attract people towards himself, his ibaadat, whether fardh or nafl, will not be accepted on the Day of Qiyaamah.”
Translation: “And command your family to perform Salaah, and also perform these yourself regularly. We do not ask you for sustenance (rizq). We will give you sustenance, and the final reward is for those who fear Allah Ta’ala.” (Surah Taaha - Aayah 132)
Many Ahaadith mention that whenever anyone complained of poverty to Rasulullahﷺ , he recited this Aayah and advised him to perform Salaah regularly. A person who is regular with his Salaah will receive abundant rizq (provision).
. This is a more effective and successful method of Tableegh. All the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ first practiced upon what they preached. They became examples for their followers who would then not think that the teachings of their Deen would be difficult to carry out. Allah Ta’ala has promised abundant rizq (sustenance) for those who perform Salaah regularly. They should never feel that Salaah interferes with the earning of their wealth through business, jobs, etc. Thereafter it is stated that ultimate success and salvation will be achieved only by those fearing Allah Ta’ala.
Translation: “O my beloved son! Establish Salaah, instruct others to do good deeds and prevent them from wrong, and patiently bear whatever (difficulty) comes to you (while preaching the truth). Surely this is from those matters which demand determination!” (Surah Luqmaan - Aayah 17)
In this Aayah, several important commands for a Muslim have been mentioned, which can be a means of our eternal success, but has been neglected by us. Leave alone calling towards the truth, we have even neglected our Salaah, which is a pillar of Islam, in fact the most important after Imaan. There are so many people who do not perform their Salaah at all and even those who do perform it neglect its requirements, such as Salaah with jamaat. It is only the poor who perform their Salaah with jamaat in the Masjid, while the rich feel it below their dignity to go to the Masjid.
Translation: Ah! My complaint is to Allah Ta’ala only!
Poetic Translation: “O careless person! What is an insult for you, is a matter of pride for me.”
Translation: “O Muslims, there must be a group among you who would invite people to good and command them to do good deeds and prevent them from wrong things and these are the people who will be successful.” (Surah Aali Imraan - Aayah 104) Allah Ta’ala clearly commands the Muslims to prepare a group who would call people to Islam throughout the world. However, the Muslims have totally forgotten this command. On the other hand, non-Muslims are preaching their religion day and night. For instance, some Christians have been specially chosen to spread their religion in the whole world. Similarly, other religions are also doing their best to preach their religions. The question is, is there such a group among the Muslims? If any individual or group among the Muslims tries to preach Islam, then instead of assisting them, we find faults with them. It is the duty of every Muslim to assist those who call people to Islam and also correct their mistakes. Most people neither do anything themselves to preach Islam nor do they help those who have given their lives in calling towards Allah Ta’ala. Thus, even those who are sincere, are disappointed and give up preaching.
Translation: “(O Muslims!) You are the best of nations who have been chosen for the guidance of mankind, you command them to do good deeds and prevent them from doing wrong and you have firm faith in Allah.” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 110)
It has also been mentioned in the Ahaadith of Rasulullah ﷺ that, ‘Muslims are the best of all people’ and there are some Aayaat of the . The above Aayah gives us the title of ‘Best Nation’ provided that we call people to Islam, command people to do good and prevent them from evil. In this Aayah, commanding people to do good and preventing them from evil has been mentioned even before Imaan, whereas Imaan is the root of all Islamic beliefs and actions. The reason is that Imaan has been a common factor among all the nations of the world, but the special thing that has mainly distinguished the Ummah of Rasulullah ﷺ , is enjoining people to do good and preventing them from evil. The real basis for the superiority of the Muslims of this Ummah was because they fulfilled this command, and since in Islam good actions are of little value without Imaan, it is therefore specifically mentioned at the end of the Aayah. In fact, the real object in this Aayah is to stress the importance of enjoining people to do good deeds, and this is the distinguishing feature of the Muslim Ummah. It is not enough to enjoin good and to prevent from evil only now and then, but rather this practice should continue at all times and on all occasions regularly. The responsibility of enjoining the good is also found in earlier religions, but what makes the Muslim Ummah unique is that it is taken up as a regular responsibility. This is not a temporary work, but a permanent one.
Translation: “There is no good in most of their secret consultations (discussions) except in him who instructs (people to give) charity, to do good deeds or (to take part in) making peace between people. Whoever does this, seeking Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure, We shall soon grant him a great reward.” (Surah Nisaa - Aayah 114)
Allah Ta’ala promises great reward for those who call towards the truth. How great will be the reward that has been called ‘great’ by Allah Ta’ala Himself? Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “A man's words may become a burden (sin) for him, except those words that he has spoken calling people to do good deeds and preventing others from forbidden acts, or in remembering Allah Ta’ala.” In another Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Shall I tell you a reward which is better than Nafl Salaah, fasting and charity?” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked, “Please do tell us, O Messenger of Allah ﷺ !” Rasulullah ﷺ replied: “Making peace between people, for hatred and disputes wipe out good deeds just as a razor removes hair.” There are many more aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef and sayings of Nabi ﷺ that teaches us to make peace between people. To make peace between people is another form of instructing them to do good and stopping them from evil. It is very important to bring about peace between people.