Benefits to be Achieved from Da’wah
- Fulfill an Obligation Upon Us
Da’wah is recognised by the majority of scholars as being obligatory upon every Muslim. Therefore, we can interpret that the act of da’wah is something of great importance within Islam and more importantly to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He). Consequently, by fulfilling our obligatory acts we can look to achieve the pleasure of Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) and get close to Him. As it states in a hadith, Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) says:
“…And My slave does not come close to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. My slave continues to come nearer to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him, and when I love him, I become his ears with which he hears, I become his sight with which he sees, I become his hands with which he strikes, I become his legs with which he strides. If he asks Me, I shall surely grant his request.” [Bukhari]
This beautiful hadith highlights the massive reward of completing the obligatory acts that can motivate us to carry out this important duty.
- Doing the Job of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)
The occupation of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) along with all other prophets was to be a Da’ee (caller to Islam). For us to be given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the greatest man to have ever lived is a huge honour and favour given to us by Allah. As we are followers of Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, the responsibility of continuing this work falls on our shoulders, which is something worth remembering.
As stated in a hadith: “None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.” [Bukhari]
It can be easy to say ‘I like or love that person’, but proving that affection can only be done through actions which can involve telling others about the qualities of that person and emulating the ways of that person. As they say: actions speak louder than words.
- Be From Those Who are Remembered in the Supplication of Others
Through helping someone revert to Islam or return to practising Islam, In sha Allah you will find that person being a happier individual than before. As an expression of gratitude, it is often likely that a person will personally thank you. Hopefully they will also remember you in their supplications for being there to give them valuable advice, offer support and pass on beneficial knowledge to help direct them to the straight path.
Also, as the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) says:“God, His angels and all those in the Heavens and on Earth, even ants in their ant-hills and fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct others in beneficial knowledge.” [Tirmidhi]
- Be Part of the Change You Wish to See
It is a bit of a cliché when people talk about the state of the Muslim world and the attacks by the media etc. But for change to come about, we would need to change ourselves and look at what we realistically are able to achieve.
As Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) says: “Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves.” [Qur’an: Chapter 13, Verse 11]
This can involve little changes for example giving da’wah to a non-Muslim colleague about Islam or looking at our own areas of weakness as individuals and looking to rectify those weaknesses with the help and grace of Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He). We cannot change the world individually and Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) is not expecting us to either. However, we should try to strive and impact positively on our local environment and society with whatever skills and abilities He has blessed us with.
- Strengthen Your Faith and Relationship with Allah the Almighty
It is commonly mentioned by those involved in da’wah that the first person to benefit from the knowledge passed on is yourself. Through continuously passing on the message of Islam and reminding others of the greatness of Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla, In sha Allah you indeed strengthen your belief and relationship with Allah and His chosen way of life. Consequently, this helps to prevent you from becoming neglectful of Him.
Many Muslims are excellent when it comes to performing the rituals of Islam e.g. fasting, zakat and salah etc., which is great. However, continuously performing rituals without adding to them can cause you to become stagnant and possibly act as a barrier to strengthening your relationship with Allah. Take the example of a person who always lifts 10kg with the same amount of repetitions each time. Is that person likely to get stronger?
Furthermore, we can have a look at those who were strongest in faith in Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla which includes the Prophets and the companions of Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam for proof of this. Their lives were full of sacrifices for Allah in terms of their time, health and wealth and this contributed to them being of the closest to Allah and not necessarily due to the quantity of prayers performed and Qur’an read.
- Find Yourself Leading a Happier Life
This is likely to be achieved through knowing you have helped somebody else to feel happier, which is a result of them coming close to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla following the way of his beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Giving da’wah can include giving advice to a fellow Muslim who is going through a difficult time and reminding them how Allah is near and always there for them to turn to. Therefore, the da’wah given does not require you to be a specialist beforehand, as the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said:
“Convey from me, even one verse.” [Bukhari]
Also, if you are blessed enough to be used as a tool by Allah to guide someone to Islam then that should provide you with a warm glow inside knowing you have helped to save a person from shirk.
The Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) in relation to this says: “By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than the best of camels.” [Bukhari]
Additionally, Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) says Himself about the people that are successful: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining Al-Ma’roof (Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (Polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are successful.” [Qur’an: Chapter 3, Verse 104]
Who would know better than Our Creator about what is success and those that are successful?
- Continue to Achieve Good Deeds After You Have Passed Away
This would occur through the good deeds committed by others as a result of the knowledge you have passed on. This can be knowledge you pass on to your children, for example how to make wudu. Also, the knowledge you have passed on to a non-Muslim who has reverted as a result of your da’wah will offer enormous rewards In sha Allah.
Think of the following situation: you give da’wah to a non-Muslim friend who at the age of 19 or 20 becomes a Muslim with the guidance of Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He). After a few years, that friend may settle down with another Muslim and In sha Allah have children who are raised on this deen as well as themselves having a long and pious life. Then a portion of the reward achieved by all these individuals would come back into your book of deeds.
As the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam perfectly says: “When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: on going charity, beneficial knowledge and righteous offspring who will pray for him.” [Muslim]
- Help Your Cause Against the Questioning in the Hereafter
We understand as Muslims we will be asked about how we lived our lives e.g. whether it was in obedience to Allah or not. We are also going to be asked about the knowledge we possess, which can include basic knowledge such as the shahadah. The Prophet-(peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) talked about the consequences of those who do not spread possessed knowledge:
“Whoever is asked about some knowledge that he knows, then he conceals it, he will be bridled with bridle of fire.” [Tirmidhi]
Consequently, by giving da’wah and passing on whatever authentic knowledge we have, In sha Allah we can protect ourselves in the hereafter from the wrath of Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He). By engaging in da’wah, we can help our cause in this world by protecting ourselves against the punishment of Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He), as the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) says:
“By Allah, in who’s Hands is my soul, you will enjoin the good and prohibit the evil, (otherwise) Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will call upon Him and He will not answer you.” [Tirmidhi]
This article is short version of the one taken form website of productivemuslim.com
