Section Three: The reward promised by Allah for Da‘wah

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever calls to guidance will gain a reward similar to that gained by his followers without curtailing their rewards.”[1]

In a hadith narrated by Abu Umamah and ascribed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) we read: “Allah, His angels and the inhabitants of heavens and earth; nay, even the ant in its hole and the whales in the sea, pray for the one who teaches people what is good.”[2]

The Prophet (peace be upon him), on sending ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to Khaibar, said to him: “By Allah, that Allah guides one person through you will be better for you than possessing the best cattle.”[3] The Prophet (peace be upon him) also says: “Whoever directs (somebody) towards a good deed will receive the like of the reward granted to that person for practicing that deed.”[4]

So, think, O propagator of what is good, over the reward awaiting you and the good you are calling others to. The Da‘wah to Islam is a profitable Da‘wah, for the believer will be rewarded for his Da‘wah whether it proves to be fruitful or fruitless. You are not responsible for the results and your duty is just a clear deliverance (of the message). Allah (SWT) says: “and whoso turns away: We have not sent you as a watcher over them.” (IV: 80) He (SWT) also says: “And our duty is but clear conveyance (of the message).” (XXXVI: 17)

“Let the person who undertakes Da‘wah know that guidance is in the hands of Allah. Such a person may have the characteristics of a true and sincere caller but he may not be responded to. Allah (SWT) granted His Prophets wisdom, yet only a small number of their peoples responded to them. In the hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) reportedly said: “Nations were displayed in front of me and I saw one prophet passing by with one man; another prophet with two men; yet another with a small group, and another with nobody…”[5] This does not mean that they did not do their duty of Da‘wah, but Allah (SWT) did not want such nations to be guided. Anyhow, if the Da‘iyah (Caller to Islam) follows the legal means and uses the methods that would potentially lead to success in his endeavor, he will have done his duty and will be free from responsibility before Allah (SWT) and will be rewarded for that, Allah willing. In all cases, He should continue his Da‘wah and do his best till Allah renders it successful or he perishes in his endeavor to carry it on.”[6]

 Should Muslims give up Da‘wah to Allah, the earth would be corrupted, life would rot and humanity would swerve to the swamp of misguidance and stray because of being away from the Light of Allah that has been sent to them. Allah (SWT) says: “Allah is the Protecting Guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are false deities. They bring them out of light into darkness…” (II: 257)a