By Shaykh Saalih Ibn Sa’d
as-Suhaymee
Written in a simple and lucid way, this brief
account describes the general methodology that
is an obligation to be followed by every Muslim
in his/her Da’wah to Allaah.
So therefore, this is the accurate depiction of
an enormous illustration, clarifying that which
it is obligatory for the Muslim to be upon from
a knowledge-based practical application of
Islaam in a way which will be pleasing to Allaah
the Exalted.
Indeed it is obligatory upon every Muslim to
know four matters and to act upon them, and
these matters are: [i] Knowledge; [ii] Acting
upon it; [iii] Calling to it; [iv] Being patient
with the hardship encountered due to it.
Indeed an incitation towards these four matters
has occurred in Sooratul-’Asr:
“By the time, verily man is in a state of loss.
Except those who believe and perform righteous
deeds, and advise each other to the truth, and
advise each other to patience.” [Sooratul-’Asr
103:1-3]
So indeed Allaah the Exalted swears by the time,
and Allaah the Exalted can swear by anything
from His creation, contrary to the creation
itself. So it is not permissible for the
creation to swear, except by Allaah the Exalted,
or by an Attribute from His Attributes. And the
answer of this swearing is that: “…verily man
(al-Insaan) is in a state of loss.” And ‘al’ in
al-Insaan means definitiveness. That is to say,
all of mankind are losers, except those who can
be described with these four characteristics. So
these bring one out of the state of loss, and
these four characteristics comprise al-eemaan
(faith). So there is no doubt that this eemaan
must be built upon knowledge. And this knowledge
is the recognition of Allaah the Exalted by His
Attributes, and the recognition of His Messenger
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and the
recognition of the Religion of Islaam by its
proofs. So action must follow this knowledge by
way of statement, deed, and belief. Allaah the
Exalted said:
“So know that there is no deity worthy of
worship besides Allaah, and repent for your
sins.” [Soorah Muhammad 47:19]
Indeed Imaam al-Bukhaaree (d.256H) –
rahimahullaah – inserted a chapter in his book
to illustrate this, so he said:
“Chapter: Knowledge comes before statement and
action.” [2] So Allaah pointed out the second
matter by His statement: “…and do righteous
deeds…” So knowledge without action is like a
body without a soul. Therefore, there can be no
benefit in it, rather it becomes an argument
against its owner. Allaah the Exalted said:
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which
you do not do? It is extremely hateful to Allaah
that you say that which you do not do.”
[Sooratus-Saff 61:2-3]
So the action cannot be righteous, except if it
is done purely for Allaah, in accordance to the
Sharee’ah of Allaah. Then Allaah pointed out the
third matter by His statement: “…and advise each
other to the truth…” This refers to da’wah
(calling to Allaah) upon knowledge, wisdom and a
good preaching, as Allaah the Exalted said:
“Say: This is my way, I call unto Allaah. I and
those who follow me, and I am not from amongst
the polytheists.” [Soorah Yoosuf 12:108]
Then He pointed out the third matter by His
statement: “…and advise each other to patience.”
Therefore, it is inevitable that the one who
calls to Allaah must be patient and take into
consideration that which he will encounter of
hardship along the way of teaching and calling
to Allaah. So he must follow the path of the
Prophets and Messengers and become patient where
they were patient, until the call to Allaah has
been conveyed; despite whatever he encounters
from hardship in that.
So therefore, this is the accurate depiction of
an enormous illustration, clarifying that which
it is obligatory for the Muslim to be upon from
a knowledge-based practical application of
Islaam in a way which will be pleasing to Allaah
the Exalted. Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (d.204H) –
rahimahullaah – said: “If Allaah had not
revealed any proof to His creation other than
this soorah, it would have been sufficient for
them.” [3]
Footnotes:
[1] The following is taken from Mukhkiratun
fil-’Aqeedah (p. 57-58) of Shaykh Saalih
as-Suhaymee.
