Do Not Stop Calling Non-Muslims To
Islam For Fear That They May Revile The Religion
Islamic Rulings -
Living Shariah Verdicts
Islamic Questions & Answers
I am involved in calling people to Islam (da'wah)
via chat rooms, Paltalk and Messenger. I call Muslims
and non-Muslims. My question is: sometimes I want to
call a person who is not Muslim, but I am afraid that
if I call him, he may revile Islam. Should I refrain
from calling him? If I must do that, then I should not
call any non-Muslims, because I am afraid of most of
them, because I do not know them. What do you advise
me to do?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
We ask Allaah to increase your energy and guide your
efforts, and grant you the best of rewards for your
interest in da'wah and calling people to the religion
and way of Allaah. There is no one who is better in
speech and conduct than one who guides the people to
truth and light.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And who is better in speech than he who [says: ‘My
Lord is Allaah (believes in His Oneness),' and then
stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men)
to Allaah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous
deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims'"
[Fussilat 41:33]
But I warn you that private chat rooms are a door to
temptation and evil, because among those who enter
them are women and those who follow their whims and
desires. The daa'iyah may begin by talking to
everyone, and the shaytaan sets traps of specious
arguments and desires, until he instils in his heart
the temptation to imitate the followers of falsehood,
or he makes him influenced and controlled by haraam
desires, then he plays with him as a child plays with
a ball. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) when Shaytaan (Satan) made their
(evil) deeds seem fair to them and said, ‘No one of
mankind can overcome you this day (of the battle of
Badr) and verily, I am your neighbour (for each and
every help).' But when the two forces came in sight of
each other, he ran away and said ‘Verily, I have
nothing to do with you. Verily, I see what you see
not. Verily, I fear Allaah for Allaah is Severe in
punishment'"
[al-Anfaal 8:48]
On our site we have previously offered advice to those
who engage in da'wah via the internet, lest the
shaytaan ensnare them in ways they did not imagine. We
have stated that public da'wah or organizing da'wah
efforts in this field should be done by organizations
or groups, and this is more beneficial and safer than
individual efforts, because the shaytaan is closer to
the one who is alone.
See question no. 32693.
Secondly:
The one who wants to call others to Allaah must equip
himself with the shar'i knowledge that he wants to
convey to others, and he should have sufficient
experience to debate well with others, and he should
have some knowledge of the doubts and desires that
they suffer from, and how they may be treated. If all
a person has is sincere emotions and a little
knowledge gathered from here and there, that will not
achieve anything and it will not benefit the one whom
he is calling at all. The worst thing that we fear for
the one who embarks on such a mission before he is
prepared for it and before he is properly qualified
for it, is that he may be like the one who is overcome
with compassion for the people who were stricken with
a fatal disease and he rushed to help them without any
experience in medicine, so he does not benefit the
sick or protect himself. There is a saying; "He went
hunting but he got caught." So beware, O slave of
Allaah, and let your first concern be to save
yourself.
"Nay! Man will be a witness against himself [as his
body parts (skin, hands, legs) will speak about his
deeds],
15. Though he may put forth his excuses (to cover his
evil deeds)"
[al-Qiyaamah 75:14-15]
Thirdly:
If a person is qualified to call people to Allaah, no
matter in which field he works to call them, it is not
permissible for him to stop calling on the basis of
fear that a person may reject the call and insult the
message or the religion, otherwise there would be no
more da'wah and no one to explain the true religion to
people. This is not what pleases the Lord of the
Worlds. Rather Allaah has commanded us to adhere to
wisdom and use beautiful preaching. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Invite (mankind, O Muhammad Peace And Blessings Of
Allaah Be Upon Him) to the way of your Lord (i.e.
Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation
and the Qur'aan) 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"
[al-Nahl 16:125]
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) urged us to be kind and gentle, giving
glad tidings and using an easy-going attitude, out of
keenness that the people who are called should accept
the truth that is presented to them.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said to Mu'aadh and Abu Moosa when he sent them
to the people of the Book in Yemen: "Be easy going and
do not be harsh, give glad tidings and do not put
people off." Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3038) and Muslim
(1773).
The one who adheres to this method of calling people
will not be harmed if the one whom he calls turns out
to be one who reviles the religion or rejects it or is
arrogant towards it.
The leader of the daa'yahs, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him), was continually
involved in calling people to Allaah and offering wise
advice, even though many of the mushrikeen responded
with insults, beatings and mockery.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be
pleased with him) said:
When the words "And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of
near kindred" [al-Shu'ara' 26:214] were revealed, the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) went out and climbed al-Safa, then he called
out: "Ya sabaahaah (Be on your guard)!" They said: Who
is this that is calling out? They said: Muhammad. They
gathered around him, and he said: "O Banu So and so! O
Banu So and so! O Banu ‘Abd Manaaf! O Banu ‘Abd al-Muttalib!"
They gathered around him and he said: "Do you think
that if I told you that there was a cavalry emerging
from the foot of this mountain, would you believe me?"
They said: We have never known you to be a liar. He
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I
am a warner to you of an imminent and severe
punishment."
Abu Lahab said: May you perish! Did you call us
together only for this? Then he stood up, and this
soorah was revealed: "Perish the two hands of Abu
Lahab (an uncle of the Prophet) and perish he!" [al-Masad
111:1].
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1394) and Muslim (208).
What is forbidden is initiating insults and put-downs
with the mushrikeen and kuffaar, lest that make them
respond in like manner. This is what Allaah forbids in
the Qur'aan. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship
besides Allaah, lest they insult Allaah wrongfully
without knowledge"
[al-An'aam 6:108]
Do not feel ashamed of the truth, and do not give up
conveying the message of this religion with knowledge
and insight. Strive to choose appropriate words and
choose the right approach. Avoid insulting and
mocking, and all kinds of wrongdoing and aggression,
then after that it will not matter whatever the person
you are calling may say. His sin is his burden to bear
on the Day of Resurrection, and you will earn reward
in sha Allaah.
And Allaah knows best.
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