Calling people to Allah holds a most significant position in Islam. Da’wah is the process of conveying the message of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to mankind. Thus, it is the mission of the Prophets and Messengers, and also the responsibility of those honored by Allah to carry knowledge.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) bore the banner of Da’wah and fulfilled his mission in the best possible manner. Allah says:
"Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp." [Al-Ahzab 33:45–46] [1]
He ﷺ (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) delivered the message, fulfilled the trust, gave sincere advice to the Ummah [2], and strove in the cause of Allah as He deserves to be striven for—until he met his Lord and the whole Arabian Peninsula had entered Islam.
The Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) carried the banner of Da’wah after him, fulfilling their duty with excellence and exerting every effort to deliver Allah’s message to all of mankind, across the east and west of the Earth. After them came the followers (Tabi'een), who opened lands and led nations and kingdoms to Islam.
Today, we witness the fruits of their legacy. Islam has spread across the globe—to the east, west, north, and south. None of this could have happened without the tireless efforts and immense sacrifices of those who preceded us in the path of Da’wah.
Seeing this with our own eyes reminds us of the tremendous responsibility we bear toward Islam. It is a religious obligation upon us to continue the mission our forefathers began and to follow their path in inviting people to the religion of Allah.
Moreover, we must be certain that Islam is a universal religion sent for all of humanity. Allah says:
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” [Al-‘Imran 3:19]
“And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.” [Al-‘Imran 3:85]
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion." [Al-Ma'idah 5:3]
These verses clearly affirm that no religion is accepted by Allah other than Islam. Therefore, it is certain that non-Muslims are to be invited to Islam—and the responsibility of this Da’wah rests upon us.
Fulfilling this duty also actualizes the distinction that Allah granted to this Ummah. Allah says:
"You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allāh" [Al 'Imran 3:110]
Thus, all members of this Ummah are obligated to spread the message of Islam and to follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions in this regard. They must also be prepared to sacrifice and strive to spread this message throughout the Earth.
Foundations of Calling to Islam (Da’wah)
What are the foundational principles upon which Da’wah to Islam should be based?
There are several principles that must be adhered to when engaging in Da’wah. They can be summarized as follows:
Planting the Love of Allah in the Heart of the Invitee
Plant the love of Allah in the heart of the one you are calling to, and nurture the seed of faith until it grows and matures. Commitment to Islam entails significant costs and burdens, which one can only fulfill if one's heart grows filled with the love of Allah, the desire for His reward, and the fear of His punishment.
The key to this is focusing on Allah’s beautiful Names and Attributes, affirming that He is the Creator, Sustainer, Giver of Life, and Taker of Life. It is also essential to explain that this worldly life is merely a passageway to the eternal home, and that there is life after death followed by judgment and recompense—where the doer of good will be rewarded and the wrongdoer will be punished.
Being a Role Model Through Your Own Actions
Be certain that actions are more impactful than words, and that when words are supported by consistent action, they settle in the heart and take root in the soul. Islam spread in many parts of the world through the upright character of Muslim merchants who traveled the globe with their goods. Allah has criticized those who contradict their speech with their actions, saying:
"Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?" [Al-Baqarah 2:44]
Therefore, when calling to Islam, your words must align with your actions.
Using a Kind and Gentle Approach
A good attitude and soft behavior must be shown to the person you are calling to Islam. Human nature is inclined toward those who treat it kindly, whereas harshness may provoke stubbornness and resistance—leading to the opposite of the intended effect.
Tailoring the Message to the Situation
Recognize that different people require different approaches. What works with one person may not work with another. In fact, the same approach that succeeded with a person once may not work at a different time. This requires understanding the invitee’s background, mindset, and beliefs.
Not Rushing the Results
You are commanded to call to Islam, but you are not guaranteed results. If you see positive outcomes, praise Allah. But if the fruits are delayed, do not allow despair to take root in your heart. Know that some Prophets will come on the Day of Judgment without a single follower. Therefore, your duty is to strive sincerely, not to guarantee outcomes.
Patience in the Face of Hardship
Always remember the advice of Luqman to his son:
"O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination." [Luqman 31:17]
He commanded patience immediately after enjoining good and forbidding evil—showing that the path of Da’wah is not paved with roses. You must prepare yourself for trials so that you do not flee when hardships arise.
Sacrificing Wealth and Time for the Sake of Da’wah
The interest of the religion must be prioritized over all else. The popular saying: “Charity begins at home” must be challenged, for it promotes self-interest over communal and religious duty. Instead, one must adopt the mindset: “Whatever the religion needs must take highest priority.”
Final Words
These are some of the key principles I wanted to highlight for those seeking to walk the path of calling to Allah’s religion. We must all recognize that we play a role far more important than any other group in society. Being bilingual obliges us to act as ambassadors of Islam and its Prophet ﷺ to the people of the world.
In this age of the internet and extraordinary technological access, communicating with others has become remarkably easy.
So why doesn’t each of us take the initiative to select just one individual, introduce them to Islam, and maintain regular contact with them to fulfill this noble purpose?
I also ask anyone who has had a successful Da’wah experience to share it with us or send it to me personally, and I will publish it in our website en-shaa Allah[3].
This is an important door of cooperation in righteousness, by Allah’s permission. When inspiring Da’wah stories circulate among us, we will be motivated to compete in goodness and increase our efforts.
Prepared by: Mohamed Hassan Youssef
23rd Dhul-Qi’dah 1427 AH (Corresponding to December 14, 2006 CE)
[1] The Qur'an English Meanings Revised and Edited by SAHEEH INTERNATIONAL
[2]Ummahis an Arabic word meaning "community." When someone uses the word Ummah, they are often referring to the global community of Muslims.
[3] is an Arabic phrase, transliterated as "insha'Allah," which means "if Allah wills" or "Allah willing". It is commonly used by Muslims to express hope that something will happen in the future, and it reflects the belief that all events are subject to Allah's will.
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