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on 16-07-2002 22:51
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By Ebrahim Mohseni
One of the most discussed issues among the Muslim communities in the non-Muslim countries is the issue of Tabliq (invitation to Islam). Many tactics has been introduced to us, which to me personally are very complicated, and at the same time confusing. Referring to the Ahadith (sayings), we see that the issue gets even more complicated. However, there is one Hadith and some Ayahs (verses) of Quran that can be seen as being straightforward for us, the young Muslims of this Ummah.
The Holy Quran, in Ayah 49 of Sura Bagharah, states: "Do you invite and order people to piety and good doing while forgetting yourselves, even as you read the Book? Will you not use your reason and intellect?". This Ayah very clearly informs us about the first step of Tabliq and that is to first think about ourselves. Before going out to invite others to good doing and Islam, we have to become the true follower of Islam ourselves. We should not only be a practicing Muslim, but we should also have some understanding about the acts we perform. A sister must know why she has the Hijab on so that when she is asked about it she could present a convincing reason for it. The same is true about brothers. We, as the dynamic youth of this Ummah, should and must learn our religion in a way, that not only we would not become weak Muslims ourselves, we would also become the defenders and inviters of people to Islam. The Holy Quran in, Ayah 142 of Sura Bagharah, says "…We have set you up as a moderate nation [with moderate laws] so you may act as the role models of mankind as the prophet was a role model for you…".
Now that we learned about the first step, lets look at the ways and tactics of Tabliq. How should we invite people to the right path and Islam? Imam Sadeq(a.s) the founder of Ja’fari School of thought answers this question in a very simple manner. Usool Al-Kafi, which is a reference Hadith book, on page 105 of its second volume relates Imam Sadeq as saying: "Be the inviters and callers of people toward goodness without your tongues, but Guide them by letting them observe goodness and what is right". This Hadith is the continuation of the first Ayah that was discussed. This Hadith tells us that we should not act like Christian missionaries who go door to door talking about Christianity. Imam Sadeq says all you need to do is to expose yourselves as Muslims and then those that are interested will come to you. For sisters this is very easy. Allah has automatically made them Muballiqeen (Inviters) of Islam by enforcing on them the Islamic Modest Dress. This appointment also shows us the high status of Women in Islam. A practicing Muslim woman is automatically a Muballiq since she exposes herself as a Muslim wherever she goes. This makes it very crucial for them to know their Islam and to be careful of their behaviors since what ever they do becomes in the eyes of non-Muslims what Islam has ordered them to do. Allah says in the Holy Quran, "We have enforced upon no one what they are incapable of doing" (2:286), thus this job that He has specifically appointed women to do show us the trust He has on Muslim women. About brothers, we do not have the advantages that our sisters have but we also have to expose ourselves as Muslim. One of the easy ways of doing that is to perform our religious duties especially our daily prayers openly without shame. By doing so, insha Allah, we would become and reach the high level of becoming the inviters of others to the right path of Islam.
Last update : 16-07-2002 22:51
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