Dawath Lessons

Weekly speech at Tableeghi Markaz, Masjide Amina, Tolichowki, Hyderabad
Published in Muslim Murasu, April 2012

Maulana Yusuf (rah) asserts that Tableegh mission is very special, precious and priceless. Sulaiman(alai) prays to God: “habli mulkan la yanbaki li ahadin mimbahdi”. Surah 38, Saad, verse 35. “Grant me a kingdom that no one after me will have”. Allah did not take any time to grant his wish. Men, Jinns, birds, animals, winds and oceans were brought under his control and given to his rule. Involving in Dawath (missionary) work is greater than the kingdom of Sulaiman (alai).
Moosa (alai) is another revered Prophet. “I have an impediment in my tongue. Give me my brother Haroon to assist me.” Surah 20, Taha, verse 30: “haroona akhi”. Moosa did not ask anything staggering. He realized his weakness and prayed for his brother to assist him. Allah started listing the favors that He bestowed on Moosa (alai) from day one; verses 37 to 40. I have already favored you a lot. This will be in addition to that. One person being donated for Dawath work is not to be taken lightly. Maulana Yusuf weighed these two incidents and concluded that Dawath setup is greater than the kingdom of Sulaiman (alai).
Some argue that they are sinners and so they cannot come for missionary works. Do Dawath to remove your sins. Every person should understand the necessity of Dawath. Some do limited missionary works while some others take great part in this. But no one should spend life without taking any part in this. This is the purpose of life.
Allah has granted full Ummath (society) to our Prophet for Dawath work. Moosa (alai) asked for one person and Allah listed all favors blessed on him. But all men and women in Prophet’s ummath have been assigned for this work. Nubuwwath has not been given to any woman. Maryam (alai) received wahi. But she was not Messenger. But even women in Prophet’s ummath have been entrusted with Dawath work. Enjoining goodness and forbidding evil has become duty for every man and woman in this ummath. Allah has showered mercy on full ummath.
Prophet has said, “I was Prophet when Adam was between water and sand”. Rank was given in the beginning. But the actual work started when he was 40. Prophet was deeply concerned about the community. Liquor, murder, prostitution had become norm of the day. Prophet was in worship and meditation in the cave of Hira. The direction of Hira is towards Kaba. When interspersing buildings were not there, one could see Kaba from Hira. Prophet used to stay 10 or 15 days in a stretch. A person came. When his legs are on earth, his head will be in sky. His two hands can completely cover east and west. His voice will be resounding. He is archangel Jibreel who used to bring wahi for each Messenger of Allah. He said, “Iqra”. Prophet replied with calm and composure, “ma ana bikari”. Jibreel(alai) hugged Prophet tightly. Prophet felt like his life is being squeezed out. Receiving wahi is a difficult task. One has to rise from his position and receive wahi. Prophet’s weight will increase while receiving wahi. Once he was laying his head on the lap of Ayisah (rali) when wahi came to him. She felt like her lap is going to break. It is no easy task to receive Allah’s words. Prophet went through severe pain to receive God’s words and he suffered even more to convey them to people. His life was full of struggle and labor.
Prophet was unperturbed after seeing Jibreel, but once he received God’s commands, he started shivering. This is like taking oath to office. Kathija (rali) had some knowledge of wahi and nubuwwath. Waraqa bin Awfal was an established religious scholar of that time. The merit of Kathija(rali) is that she accepted Imaan before she was given a call to accept.
We will not disturb when our dear ones are lying on bed. Prophet is very dear to God. But religion is so dear to God that he commanded His beloved Prophet to rise. “Ya ayyuhal mudashir”; first seven verses of Surah 74. Call to faith was first given to inmates of home and then to friends. Abubakr (rali) accepted faith without least bit of hesitation. Banu Hashim numbered 39 and they were Prophet’s clan. Then call was given to people of Ummul Qura, that is, inhabitants of Meccah. Then call was given to entire humanity. “Ya ayyuhannaas inni rasoolullahi ilaikum jameea”.