Objective Aim
While the first
objective or aim of the Ummah’s missionary work is specifically with respect to
the Qur’an, the second one is quite general and broad. It includes advising,
admonishing, preaching, and exhorting people to all that is morally right and
virtuous. However, the literal meaning of the Arabic verb amr is definitely
more, and stronger, than just advising or preaching sermons; it additionally
implies commanding and implementing with force. Thus amr is quite a wide
expression. Starting from moralizing it goes right up to the bringing about of
a revolution in political leadership so that corrupt and ungodly people are
forced to be righteous and follow Divine guidance.
Another difference between da’wah and amr is that the former (i.e., preaching and exhorting) is never undertaken in an authoritative manner. On the contrary, it is always performed in a warm and heart-moving manner. In da’wah one pleads and even requests people most humbly to uphold goodness and probity. The da’ee (i.e., one who performs the da’wah) is always on the look out for an appropriate moment when he can approach people in a receptive mood. He even requests them in the name of God to order their lives according to the dictates of Islam. His role is both of an evangelist (i.e., one who gives glad tidings on moral actions) and of a warner of the torments of hell¬fire. He is always very polite and never harsh, aggressive, or authoritative. This indeed is the attitude which members of the Tableeghi Jama’at have adopted for the past several decades for their missionary activities.
In da’wah, one speaks from the depth of ones heart and strikes a cord in the interlocutor’s heart as the preacher is definitely taken as a well-wisher. This difference amply shows why calling people to goodness has been mentioned by the Qur’an as distinct and separate from “enjoining what is morally right.” The mild and polite manner to be adopted in da’wah was required of Prophet Musa (AS) and Prophet Haroon (AS) when the two messengers were ordered by Allah (SWT) to go to the Pharaoh. We read in Surah Taha the following ayaat:
Go forth (then), you and your brother, with My messages, and never tire of remembering Me. Go forth, both of you, unto Pharaoh, for verily he has transgressed all bounds of equity! But speak unto him in a mild manner, so that he might bethink himself or (at least) be filled with apprehension (Taha 42:44)
Thus amr bil-ma’roof is a step higher than mere da’wah ilal-khair or preaching and, as such, it calls for a different methodology and approach. The word amr literally means to order, dictate, or enforce on the basis of authority. This necessitates, at the societal or state level, a change or revolutions in the whole power structure so that the morally good and right is implemented and enforced with the authority of governmental institutions. Supporting evidence for this is also provided by the fact that the expression amr bil-ma’roof was first used in Surah Al-Hajj when the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions (RAA) were obliquely given the glad tiding of political power. English translation of ayah 41 of this Surah reads:
(They are) those who, if we establish them in the land, organize regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong.. . (Al-Hajj 22:41)
Soon after the
revelation of this Surah, the foundations of an Islamic state were laid in
Medinah, and the Prophet (SAW) began to enforce the laws of Shari’ah and
religious practices in the capacity of a political ruler. However, it may be
noted that full and total authority in the Arabian peninsula was achieved only
after the conquest of Makkah, some ten years latter.
to be continued....
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