The word Da`wah generally means “Calling people towards Allah and His instructions”. The practitioner of preaching is known as Da`i. This act is commonly thought of being limited to religious matters only like Oneness of God, reading the Holy Quran in Arabic, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) being the last Prophet, believing in prophets and day of judgment, offering Salah etc. rather it is the complete package of advocating in favor of what is good. It includes both spiritual and secular Islamic instructions for sake of betterment of common people.

It could be of two types: first, it can be the act of proselytizing, where the preacher tries to convey its message of religious convictions to non Muslims through convincing dialogue. Second, it can be for the purpose of reminding the present Muslim Ummah about their duties and responsibilities as per commands of Quran and Prophet`s (PBUH) Sunnah. In any case, a Da`ee (Preacher) must have sincerity, complete knowledge and wisdom, patience, constancy, modesty, empathy and above all it must be a great devotee of advocated teachings.

Bringing people towards morality is considered as one of the utmost virtues in Islam, which is the reason Prophets were sent down on earth By the Almighty one after the other for leading people towards morality. But it is not only limited to them, rather it is a continuous process, which the followers of the religion of Islam have to take up seriously.

The substantial significance of Da`wah can be determined from the following facts:

Fulfillment of Obligation

Although it is a moral responsibility of any individual to spread a word of uprightness and try to stop others from unlawful activity, but for a Muslim, it is not only its task from ethical point of view, but also a must do action from a sacred standpoint as well. Allah Almighty directs us to take on this very deed in the Holy Quran

Carrying out Job of Prophet (PBUH)

All the Prophets whom Allah SWT sent down on earth, had one basic task to do, and that was Da`wah or call their locals to remembrance of One God, adoption of the ethical and avoidance of the immoral, which makes it the best occupation to do.

Earning Great Rewards

Since preaching goodness is a virtuous endeavor, so it also comes up with receiving huge returns from Allah SWT. Just like one gets eligible for obtaining His bounties as a result of spending in the way of the Almighty Lord, e.g. for purpose of building of a mosque, or for Jihad etc. same way preaching towards Allah`s instructions also serves as a source of getting great rewards from Him.

Strengthening of One`s own Faith

Transforming others` lives positively is no doubt a great achievement for any one, but Da`wah also helps in constant purification of one`s own soul and avoidance of satanic attacks when it learns about new Islamic lessons for the sake of teachings them to others.

Being Successful in the Hereafter

Da`wah is a great act from Islamic perspective, which benefits both the parties, i.e. the ones who preaches, and the one who is being sermonized about the good, and leads to successful life on earth and the hereafter.


Source: www.facebook.com/forum9ja