Da’wah is an Arabic term meaning “invite” or “invitation”. Muslim who practices dawah, either as a religious worker or in a volunteer community effort, is called a Da’ee or Da`i. A da’i is thus a person who invites people to understand Islam.
An important matter for Muslims to realize is that da`wah is
an obligation upon them.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) carried out this duty throughout his life. It was then taken up by their Companions and those who followed after them. The Muslims have been carrying this duty out ever since.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Invite to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.”
(Qur’an, 16:25)
“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining al-ma`roof (i.e. 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, 3:104]
The propagation of Islam was the mission of all the prophets and messengers of Allah (Muhammad, Jesus, Moses e.t.c., peace be upon them all) . There was never a prophet who was not a preacher and teacher. All of them preached the same message: ‘Worship Allah, you have no other god but Him.’ They all called to their people saying: ‘I do not seek any reward from you for this work.’
May Allah give us all guidance, and protect us from misguidance, and treat us with His grace and mercy, surely He is the Most Worthy of taqwa and forgiveness.
