Rana Rais Khan contemplates on the sincerity of those who take on the mission of inviting to the Deen of Allah.
“So the earthquake seized them and they lay [dead], prostrate in their homes. Those who belied Shoaib, became as if they had never dwelt there [in their homes]. Those who belied Shoaib, they were the losers. Then he [Shoaib] turned from them and said: ‘O my people! I have indeed conveyed my Lord’s Messages unto you and I have given you good advice…” (Al-Araf 7:91-93)
This Ramadan, Allah the most Merciful, destined for me to attend Daur-e-Quran (Quran’s commentary and understanding) conducted by Sheikh Abu Khalid. When our discussion led us to the above Ayah, the Sheikh explained a critical requisite for every Da’ee (the one who invites towards Allah’s (swt) Deen): a sense of selflessness and sincerity towards everyone he invites. Vital for Dawah is the presence of an untainted feeling of empathy that is free from ridicule, ulterior motives, accusations, and selfish designs.
As human beings, we all judge a book by its cover, as only Allah (swt) knows what a man’s heart reveals and conceals. Our body language, tools of communication and mannerisms convey to others our purpose of action. If we are successful in translating our sincerity to others, they will realize that our Dawah is only for the sake and pleasure of Allah (swt) rather than material benefit. A selfless Da’ee does it out of care and concern for the well-being of the approximately 4.75 billion non-Muslim of today.
As Da’ees it is mandatory for us to constantly check our intentions: Do we want salvation for those who have not yet experienced the beauty of Quran and Sunnah? Or are we one of those who constantly speaks ill of other faiths and wants to see them doomed? If that is the motive, then it is in grave contradiction to what our Prophet Muhammad (sa) felt for people out of the fold of Islam. Allah (swt) has repeatedly referred to the Apostle’s (sa) love and sincerity towards the whole of humankind, although it distressed him when people refuted the word of Allah (swt). In one of the verses Allah (swt) states: “Perhaps, you, would kill yourself [O Muhammad saw] in grief, over their footsteps [for their turning away from you], because they believe not in this narration (the Quran).” (Al-Kahf 18:6)
Once a Jewish boy was seriously ill and the Messenger of Allah (sa) visited him to inquire about his health. As the boy lay in bed, the Prophet (sa) asked him to repeat: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger.” The boy turned his face towards his father asking for permission. His father was silent, expecting Muhammad (sa) to leave upon this cold treatment. So the boy remained silent too. Allah’s Messenger (sa) did not give up; he repeated the request and the boy looked towards his father once again. His father still remained silent. The Prophet (sa) repeated his request a third time. When the boy looked towards his father for approval, his father’s heart melted and he said, “Do as Abu Qasim tells you to.” The boy recited the Kalima and died. The Prophet’s (sa) joy knew no bounds. His face radiated with delight and as he stepped out he glorified Allah for saving this boy from the Hell fire. (Bukhari)
This must be the level of every Da’ee’s earnestness and genuineness. The Quran is full of such examples of our Messenger’s (sa) sincerity, which enabled him to become Allah’s (swt) beloved. As Da’ees, if our motive is just that we will learn to love humanity in general and be concerned about their welfare.
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