According to Imaam Hassan Al – Banna, Islam is considered to be a comprehensive system of life, with the Qur’an and Sunnah as the only acceptable constitution. He called for islamization of the state, the economy and society. Islamization can only be actualized when some people among the general rise to enjoin righteousness and forbid evil and corruption. This act of enjoining righteousness and forbidden evil simply refers to Da’wah.
Da’wah is the preaching of Islam and the evangelism to submit to Allah(S.W.T). It is the means by which prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) began spreading the message of the Qur’an to mankind. It is like introducing man to God. The purpose of this cause is to put a lost person on the path to God, so that he may truly realize God.
This challenging task didn’t start right from prophet Muhammad’s time. It has been the reason why Almighty Allah sent prophets and messengers. Allah said in suratul Tah when he was commanding prophet Musa and his brother, Aarun…
“Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed he has transgressed“. Q20 Vs 44.
Allah (S.W.T) was commanding his prophet to extend his evangelism to a transgressor.
As Allah (S.W.T) sent prophet Musa(A.S) to the Jews and prophet Isa(A.S) to the Christians, He sent prophets to humans of all generation. He sent prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) as the seal of the prophets and messenger to all mankind. The prophet enjoined righteousness and forbade evil, gave glad- tidings and warning, and also spread Islam across all nations.
Although the last of the prophets is no more, but his cause is to be passed to his conscious followers as Allah as commanded that…
“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 these will be successful“. Q3 vs 104
The prophet (S.A.W) also enjoined us to preach to people even with the little knowledge we have. We should invite them into Islam with whatever we might have learned and understood. The prophet said:
“Convey from me, even if it be only a single verse“. Bukhari vol.4 p442
These evidences illustrate that the need for people that will call to the cause of Allah is needed.
Inviting people to the cause of Allah is a challenging task and a hard feet to accomplish, but the reward that’s been promised is full of bounty and are the best things humans can ever think of. The prophet said in one of his sayings when mentioning Da’wah. The prophet (S.A.W) said:
“Whoever calls to guidance will receive the same reward as the one who follows him without any decrease in the reward of his followers“. Sahih Muslim vol.4 p1406
He also said:
” For Allah to guide someone by your hand is better for you than having red camels“. Bukhari vol.4 p156-7
These sayings of the prophet are emphasising the importance, virtues and reward in calling people to the cause of Allah. One of the most valuable property to the Arabs are red camels. So, if the prophet should compare the reward of a task with something better than the most valuable property to the Arabs, then then task is of great importance.
Islamization of the state, the economy and the society is a purpose that is to be fulfilled by all conscious muslims to ensure the continuity of the teaching of the holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the prophet. It’s then mandatory on learned muslims to preach, counsel and invite people to this cause.
