Calling to Allah (Da‘wah)

The Commander of the Believers ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) gives us advice, saying that one should not talk to common people except about what is well-known and benefits them regarding the fundamentals of their religion and the rulings related to it of monotheism, and clarification of the lawful and the unlawful. What is otherwise should not be spoken about with them in order not to distract them, especially things for which there is no need, or which may lead to rejecting the truth because they are confusing to them and too difficult for them to comprehend.

كتاب التوحيد للإمام محمد بن عبد الوهاب، ت: د. دغش العجمي، مكتبة أهل الأثر, الطبعة الخامسة, 1435ه. الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد، لمحمد بن عبد العزيز السليمان القرعاوي, ت: محمد بن أحمد سيد, مكتبة السوادي، الطبعة: الخامسة، 1424ه. الملخص في شرح كتاب التوحيد، للشيخ صالح الفوزان, دار العاصمة, الطبعة الأولى، 1422ه. صحيح البخاري, ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي, دار طوق النجاة, الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon his uncle Abu Tālib when he was in his death throes and said to him: O Uncle, say: "La ilāha illallāh (there is no god but Allah)," a statement with which I can testify in your favor before Allah. Thereupon, Abu Jahl and ‘Abdullah ibn Abi ’Umayyah said: O Abu Tālib, would you abandon the religion of your father ‘Abdul-Muttalib, i.e. worshipping idols?! They both kept talking to him until the last thing he said to them was about the religion of Abdul-Muttalib, i.e., the religion of Shirk (polytheism) and idolatry. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), thus, said: I will ask forgiveness for you as long as my Lord does not forbid me from doing so. Upon this, Allah Almighty revealed: {It is not fitting for the Prophet and those who believe to seek forgiveness for the polytheists[83], even if they are close relatives, after becoming clear to them that they are the people of the Blazing Fire.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 113] And the following verse was revealed concerning Abu Tālib: {You cannot guide whoever you like, but Allah guides whom He wills, and He knows best who will be guided.} [Surat al-Qasas: 56] You cannot guide whoever you like to guide; your duty is only to convey the message, and Allah guides whom He wills.

1. It is prohibited to seek forgiveness for the polytheists regardless of their kinship, deeds, and benevolence.
2. Imitating ancestors and seniors in falsehood is a pre-Islamic practice.
3. The Prophet's perfect compassion and his keenness on calling and guiding people.
4. Refuting the claim that Abu Tālib embraced Islam.
5. It is the final deeds that count.
6. The invalidity of appealing to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) or anyone else to bring benefit or ward off harm.
7. Whoever says: La ilāha illallāh (there is no god but Allah) out of knowledge, certainty, and belief, has entered into Islam.
8. The harmful impact of evil companions and bad friends.
9. "La ilāha illallāh" (there is no god but Allah) means: Abandoning the worship of idols, the pious, and the righteous and worshiping Allah alone, and the polytheists know its meaning.
10. It is permissible to visit the sick polytheist if there is hope that he will embrace Islam.
11. Placing guidance in the hearts is in Allah's Hand alone, without a partner, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is only responsible for guidance of direction, instruction, and message conveyance.

صحيح البخاري (6/ 112) (4772). صحيح مسلم (1/ 54) (24). الملخص في شرح كتاب التوحيد، لصالح الفوزان (ص155). الجديد في شرح كتاب التوحيد، للقرعاوي (ص169).

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: As the Companions were sitting with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the mosque, a man riding a camel entered, and he made the camel kneel and tied it. Then, he asked them: Who amongst you is Muhammad? Meanwhile, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was reclining among the people. So, we replied: This white man who is reclining. The man said to him: O son of ‘Abdul-Muttalib! The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: I have heard you; ask, and I will answer you. The man said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): I will ask you about something and will be hard in questioning. So do not get upset with me. In other words, do not get angry at me or feel annoyed. He replied: Ask whatever you want. He said: I ask you by your Lord and the Lord of those who came before you. Has Allah sent you as a messenger to mankind? He replied: "By Allah, yes," affirming his truthfulness. The man further said: I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you that we must offer the five prayers in a day and night? They are the obligatory prayers. He replied: By Allah, yes. The man further said: I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to observe fasts during this month of the year? That's the month of Ramadan. He replied: By Allah, yes. The man said: I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to take this charity from our rich people and distribute it amongst our poor people?" This is Zakah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: By Allah, yes. Thereupon, Dimām embraced Islam and informed the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that he would call his people to Islam, and he introduced himself as Dimām ibn Tha‘labah, from Banu Sa‘d ibn Bakr.

1. The Hadīth shows the Prophet's modesty, as the man could not distinguish between him and his Companions.
2. It highlights the Prophet's good character and gentleness in replying to the questioner. It also indicates that providing good responses is one of the reasons behind accepting the call to Islam.
3. It is permissible to identify a person by a certain trait, like being white, reddish, tall, short, and any other trait that is not intended as a defect, unless the person dislikes it.
4. It is permissible for a disbeliever to enter the mosque for some need.
5. He did not mention Hajj in the Hadīth because it had probably not been prescribed yet when this man came.
6. The Companions were keen on inviting people to Islam. Once this man embraced Islam, he was determined to call his people to it.

صحيح البخاري (1/ 23) (63)، صحيح مسلم (1/ 41) (12)، شرح ابن بطال (1/145)، عمدة القاري شرح صحيح البخاري (2/ 22).