Today, we live in a world where most Muslims are not involved in Da’wah because they feel that they need to be a scholar and conduct lectures for Da’wah, etc. In other words, Islam is viewed as only for the scholars and Da’wah project too is viewed as task of the scholars. Many Muslims assume that for Da’wah, they need to memorize books of Tafseer and Fiqh, etc.
This is, certainly, not what Islam tells us. In fact, you don’t have to be a scholar to preach about Islam. Yes, we do appreciate our scholars a lot. May Allah bless them all. But, it’s not important for everyone to become one.
Islam means more than just books. It means implementing the Quran and Sunnah.
Every single individual, every Muslim, has a job to do. Everyone has a responsibility towards their own community. One does not have to be a scholar and know books of Shariah and Tafseer by heart. People can contribute in other ways too. Being a doctor, businessman, student of commerce, etc. doesn’t stop anyone from Da’wah; intention is the key here.
It is our job to deliver the Message of Islam to misguided people. For some of them, we are the only source of Islam. It is not necessary that we talk about Islam all the time. Rather, we can just preach by establishing a good character — a character similar to that of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). If we can treat them the right way according to Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), they will surely reciprocate the gesture and try to learn more about Islam.
I would like to mention an incident from the Seerah of our beloved Prophet (PBUH): Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once approached a woman walking away from Mecca, struggling with many bags. “Can I help you?” he (PBUH) asked. “Yes,” she replied, “I am trying to leave Mecca. Can you carry these bags for me?” He (PBUH) carried her bags all the way up the mountain. Then he asked her “Why are you leaving?” She replied “Have you heard of this man called Muhammad? He is a magician. He is turning father against son, and he is destroying our whole community.” When they reached the end of their journey, he (PBUH) put the bags down. The woman said , “I have got nothing to give to you, but I will pray for you. What is your name?” “I am he that you have been talking about this whole way,” said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She was shocked and immediately proclaimed the Shahadah.
All of this was possible because of the behaviour of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He (PBUH) didn’t preach to her, neither did he tell her anything about Islam, but just gave her a helping hand. He (PBUH) continued doing so even when she insulted him. SubhanAllah! This was our Prophet (PBUH).
We all are ambassadors of Islam. Whatever we do or say, to some people, that’s Islam. For us, it may be just a helping hand in a project or just a simple greeting, but its impact can be enormous. By being good to our co-workers, we can bring them closer to Islam. We never know how Allah (SWT) plans to guide people.
We should live our lives by following the Quran and Sunnah. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
If Allah guides one person because of you, it is better for you than the whole earth and what is within it.
Photo by Swamibu 
