The Second Level: The Three Circles of Da’wah

The Second Level: The Three Circles of Da'wah

The second level deals with spreading the message of lslam to others. A general principle of Tableegh and Da’wah (terms used for spreading and propagating Islam), proposed by Islam, is that we should begin by first reforming our own selves. Next, we should focus on those who are closest to us - our immediate family members. Only then we may approach other people.

Contrary to this, preaching Islam in foreign lands while the religious condition of one's own house is unsatisfactory indicates that the process of Da’wah has been inversely prioritized. Such practice can never bring about the desired results as were seen as a consequence of Da’wah carried out by the Prophet (SAW) and his companions.

If we keep the proper sequence in mind, we can conclude that, for the Muslim woman, the highest priority should be her home. The propagation of Islam is simultaneously carried out in three integrated circles. 

In the first circle she should bring up her children as Muslims in the true sense of the word. The second circle of Da’wah includes Muslim women and the third consists of Mahram males. These three circles and domains are the premises in which the Muslim woman is required to perform Da'wah. Concerning the first circle, Surah Tahreem states:

"Save yourself and your families from the fire.” [Al-Qur’an 66:6]

In the same context, we should also consider the following Hadith narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Omar (RA):

"Every one of you is a shepherd and every one of you is accountable for his herd.” [Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abli Dawud]

Just as a shepherd is responsible for his herd, everyone is responsible and accountable for the people he is in charge of. Then the Prophet (SAW) added,

"A man is custodian of his home and he will be held accountable for his family.”

Meaning, everyone will be asked about the duties which he had to perform concerning his family and household, He will be asked about whether he carried out his duties of educating them and fulfilling their rights. Then the Prophet (SAW) said,

"And a women is responsible for her husband's home and she will be held accountable for whatever and whoever she is given charge of"

Naturally her children are the most vital part of her husband's home. In another narration, the word 'children' is mentioned separately:

"And a women is responsible for her husband's house hold and his children and she is accountable for them.”

She is accountable for the servants as well but her main responsibility is with respect to the children.

It goes without saying that the future of a nation depends, to a great extent, on its coming generation and the tremendous task of bearing and rearing it has been placed squarely on the shoulders of the mother. It is the mother who acts as the very embodiment of selflessness, sacrificing her own comfort for the sake of her children. It is the mother who acts as the first school that the child comes in contact with. The poet-philosopher lqbal says about a Muslim mother:

"0 Women! Grind grain while Qur'an is on your lips”

In our childhood we had the privilege of witnessing with our own eyes such mothers who used to recite the Qur'an while nursing their child and grinding grain. Something of value must transfer from the mother to the child in a subtle and imperceptible manner during this process. After all, we are asked to say Adhaan (call for prayer) and Iqamah (call to begin the prayer of congregation) in the newborn's ears. There has to be some logic behind this ritual. The infant is obviously not capable of making sense of the words but all of us know that a tape-recorder is also a senseless device that efficiently records voice impressions and reproduces them. Therefore, it would not be too far fetched to assume that some meaningful impressions are conveyed to the child's subconscious that leave a lasting impact on his personality. As lqbal said:

"In this condition, in your lap, will grow a son like Hussain [RA]"

Hence, the command from the Prophet (SAW):

"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."

The major responsibility entrusted to the mother is imparting purposeful education and moral values in her children. To seek other avenues at the cost of this major responsibility is certainly not admissible. If, however, her circumstances are such that she can spare some time, she should definitely do Da’wah work outside her home. What actually is happening in our society is that we tend to preach in the remote corners of the world but overlook our homes. We should remember the Qur'anic admonition:

"Do you enjoin righteousness upon mankind and you yourself forget (to practice it)?" [Al-Qur’an 2:44]

We cannot go on a mission to save the world unless we save ourselves first. Our younger generation is at the receiving end of the most vicious onslaught of western cultural influences. Our youngsters today are exposed to the pernicious effects of media like newspapers, magazines, television and the Internet. In this scenario, if the responsibility of bringing up a child is set aside and women spend more time in preaching outside their homes, then this is an adulteration of the priorities of their responsibilities. 

Source: Religious Obligations of Muslim Women (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)