_______ • The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Convey from me, even if it is only one verse.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3461 • Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said, in his commentary on the first in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), 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 the successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104] : What is meant by this verse is that there should be a group of this ummah who carry out this mission; however, that is also obligatory upon every individual of the ummah according to his means, as it is proven in Saheeh Muslim that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, then let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” According to another version: “Beyond that there is not even a mustard seed’s worth of faith.” From Tafseer Ibn Katheer , 2/78 • Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah indicates that it is obligatory to call people to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and that this is one of the obligatory duties. The evidence for that is abundant, such as the verses in which Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), 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 the successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104] “Invite (mankind, O Muhammad Salla Allahu alayhi Wasallam) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Quran) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better” [an-Nahl 16:125] “and invite (men) to (believe in) your Lord, and be not of Al-Mushrikoon (those who associate partners with Allah” [al-Qasas 28:87] “Say (O Muhammad Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam): "This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e., to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge” [Yoosuf 12:108] . So Allah, may He be glorified, has explained that the followers of the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) are those who call people to Allah; they are the people of insight. What is required, as is well known, is to follow him and adhere to his way, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much” [al-Ahzaab 33:21] . The scholars have clearly stated that calling people to Allah, may He be exalted, is a communal obligation (fard kifaayah) with regard to the regions in which the callers live, for every region and area needs the da‘wah (call) and needs people who are active in this field. So it is a communal obligation; ▶if sufficient numbers of people undertake it, the duty is waived from the others and for the others da‘wah becomes a confirmed Sunnah (Sunnah mu’akkadah) and a great righteous deed. But if the people of a specific area or region do not undertake da‘wah, the burden of sin is incurred by all of them, and it becomes obligatory for all of them; each person must undertake to call people to Islam, ▶according to his ability. However, generally speaking, with regard to every country, what is required is for there to be a group that is devoted to the mission of calling people to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, throughout the world, to convey the message of Allah and to explain the command of Allah by all possible means, because the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sent out callers, and he sent letters to people and to kings and rulers, calling them to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz , 1/330

Amen. Allah is great so he will remain. Wobillihi toufik