10 Qualities of The One Who Calls to the Path of Allah
You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of people ever raised for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief, and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. — Qur’an 3[Al-’Imran]:110
The noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was entrusted with the mission of calling people to the way of Allah. This arduous task involved enjoining people to abandon their false deities and embrace the worship of the One True God. It is also our collective responsibility, as Muslims to call people to goodness of monotheism and forbid them of the evil of polytheism. Hence, the one who calls to this righteous path of Allah is often called a Da’i which means a caller.
The Da’i is entrusted with the noble task of inviting people to Islam, giving them hope in the mercy of Allah, and also warning them against the dire consequence of disobedience to their Lord. This role requires a combination of qualities and characteristics well depicted by the noble messenger ﷺ. You will find these traits essential to be able to effectively convey the message of Islam and inspire positive change. You do not have to be a scholar until you call to the way of Allah. However, there’s a need for you to embed some of these qualities that will be discussed in this piece.
As Muslims, we’re all potential da’i — we’re messengers of the Messenger of Allah. So, here are ten qualities that a da’i should possess in no particular order vis-a-vis:
- Ikhlas (Sincerity): The Da’i must have a sincere intention, seeking only the pleasure of Allah in their efforts. Sincerity ensures that the focus remains on fulfilling a duty rather than personal gain or recognition. Sincerity is calling to Islam without caring whose ox is gored and without seeking praise, recognition, or blame from others. This is one of the most difficult qualities to constantly sustain on this path. Allah’s Apostleﷺ mentioned to us that one of the first people to be judged on the day of reckoning will be a knowledgeable person who was insincere.
- Ilm (Knowledge): A da’i is a custodian of knowledge and they must possess accurate and comprehensive knowledge about Islam. So the one who calls to the way of Allah has to equip themselves with adequate knowledge of the Qur’an, sunnah, and basic Islamic sciences. Allah says:
And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those one will be questioned by Allah. — Qur’an 17[Al-’Isra]:36
3. Hikmah (Wisdom): The one who calls to the path of Allah must be wise. This wisdom involves applying knowledge with discernment and making sound decisions including judgments in various life situations. Many da’i in today's world lack wisdom which is the practicability of the knowledge they have acquired. Allah says:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is rightly guided. — Quran 16[An-Nahl]:125
4. Hilm (Forbearance) and Rifq (Gentleness): The caller has to be someone who perseveres in the face of adversity while exploring gentleness in dealing with people. Humans are complicated beings and as such, they most likely will yield to your call after a while. The prophet ﷺ showed this exemplarily when calling people to Islam in the early days in Mecca and even in the later days in Madinah. This is why he ﷺ also said to his wife Aisha:
“Gentleness does not enter anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not taken out of anything except that it disgraces it.” — Sahih Muslim
5. Sabr (Patience): Sabr is the virtue of enduring trials and tribulations with patience and perseverance. The caller has to observe perseverance and patience in the face of challenges while calling people to the path of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ exemplified patience throughout his life, enduring hardships and opposition while not giving up, but persistently calling people to Islam. This is one key ingredient the da’i needs in their arsenal. Allah says:
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” — Quran 2[Al-Baqarah]:153
6. Tawaadu’ (Humility): Humbleness and modesty in character are also one of the traits a da’i must possess. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ was described as more humble than a slave in front of his master. Hence, the one calling to the path of Allah has to show humility before Allah and humility in interacting with other human beings. You don’t have to show them that you’re better than them or criticize their actions via condemnation. Allah says:
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily,1 and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace. — Qur’an 25[Al-Furqan]:63
7. Qudwah (Good example): The da’i has to be a person who sets a positive example through his actions and character, not just his words. The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the epitome of the good example for all Muslims. therefore, he should be of excellent manners embodying the teachings of Islam in his daily life. Allah says:
“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often” — Quran 33[Al-Ahzab]:21
8. Husnul-Istimaa’ (Good listening): Actively listening and understanding the concerns and perspectives of others is a very good quality of the da’i. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was known for his attentiveness and empathetic listening to the concerns of the people around him.
9. Shajaa’ah (Courage): A da’i professes boldness and courage in the face of challenges and opposition. You don’t back down in the face of traitors or oppressors. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ displayed exceptional courage in the face of adversity, fearlessly conveying the message despite intense opposition.
O you who have believed, obey Allāh and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear his order. Do not be like those who say, ‘We heard,’ though in fact they were not listening. — Qur’an 8[Al-Anfal]:20–21
10. Karaam (Generosity): The da’i should express generosity in sharing his knowledge, time, and resources for the sake of Allah. The generosity of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is well-documented, and he encouraged his followers to be generous in all aspects of life. He was a statesman but still had time for every member of his community without neglecting his household. Many of us today abandon our household in the name of da’wah when in reality, they are our principal constituency to be catered for.
In sum, these qualities collectively form a holistic framework for a well-rounded and morally upright Muslim, not just the da’i alone. It reflects the essence of Islam in both character and conduct. By cultivating these traits, a Da’i can play a significant role in conveying the beauty of Islam, fostering understanding, and contributing to positive change in the hearts and minds of those they engage with. We ask Allah to make this easy for us and accept our little efforts. Amin!
PS: Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by Allah’s Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path. Do subscribe to Jum’ah Nugget to get our subsequent publication in sha Allah!
Yaumul Jumah 22nd Rajab 1445H // Friday 2nd Febuary 2024
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