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Section One: the meaning of “Da‘wah” linguistically and terminologically Sub-section One: Linguistic meaning of “Da‘wah” a. In al-Qamus al-Muhit we find the derivatives: “Du‘a’”: invoking Allah; “Da‘ahu”: drove him; the Prophet is the Da‘i (Caller) to Allah, and the Mu’adhdhin (caller to the prayer) is called “Da‘i” also.[1] b. In Lisan al-‘Arab we read: “Du‘at” means a group of people calling others to give their allegiance to guidance or straying. The singular form is “Da‘i”. A Da‘iyah man is one who invites people to an innovation or (authentic) religion. The Prophet is the Da‘i to Allah and so is the Mu’adhdhin.[2] Allah (SWT) says: “O Prophet! Surely We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of good news and as a warner, and as a Da‘i (Caller) to Allah by His permission, and as a lamp that gives light,” (XXXIII: 45-46) that is to say, a Caller to monotheism and to what makes one closer to Allah.[3] The Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever calls to guidance will gain a reward similar to that gained by his followers…”[4] |