Second Condition: Religious Action - Calling People unto Allah

Second Condition: Religious Action

The second pre-requisite of Da’wah is that the life of the preacher should be an embodiment of all the virtues and good deeds that Islam enjoins upon its followers. His whole personality and life should be enlivened by a true and passionate faith in Allah. That is exactly why in the above cited verse immediately after

…and who is better in speech than he who invites men to Allah  (41:33)

good and pious action has been mentioned. And this is quite understandable because without the example of good and pious practical life of the preacher himself the vocation of calling others to Islam will remain ineffective and empty. 

Mere teaching, pedagogy and research work, no doubt can all be carried out and pursued even by persons who do not themselves act upon what they profess. And of course all these activities are important in their own sphere and certainly not without utility so for as they go. 

But Da’wah work is of a totally different nature. It can be effective and truly useful only when it is supported and accompanied by the pious and righteous conduct of the preacher. 

The fact is that the requirement of good and righteous deed is such a challenge that many a Muslims cannot accept it. And they consequently make an illegitimate division of groups among Muslims: between those who earn money by Islamic or un-Islamic means and not engage themselves in Da’wah work and those who devote themselves exclusively to Islamic Da’wah or preaching and are patronized by the first group. No doubt this division of roles among Muslims is a clever move and prudently welcomed by most. But the fact is that there can be no greater revolt and subversion against Islam than this apparently gentlemen’s agreement between groups of Muslims.

Source: Calling People unto Allah (A Book by Dr Israr Ahmad)

To be continued....