The Ship that will never sink (part 5) By Farzana Qamar Muslims should keep away from polytheists to avoid committing shirk. Allah the Exalted said, “Say O Muhammad (peace be upon him),” This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah, i.e. to the Oneness of Allah — Islamic Monotheism with sure knowledge). (Qur'an, 12:108) The verse above calls our attention to two main points. First is the call to Islamic monotheism and the second is to draw one's attention to the issue of sincerity. It also conveys the message that one should invite with knowledge, certainty and awareness. The characteristics of the followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are that they have full knowledge of Tawheed, they act according to it and invite others in a befitting manner. When Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) sent Mu'adh (May Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen, he said, “You will come upon the People of the Book, let your first act be to call them to testify that — “To single out Allah Alone in the worship, i.e. actualize the Oneness (Tawheed) of Allah, if they obey you in this matter inform them that Allah has prescribed for them to offer five prayers (Salah) in day and night. If they obey you in this, then tell them that Allah has imposed upon them the duty of Sadaqah (Zakah) to be levied from their rich and distributed to the poor. If they obey you in this, then be careful not to take the best of their properties (as payment of Zakah), and safeguard yourself against the supplication of those who have suffered injustice because there is no barrier between his supplication and Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim) The point to note here is that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Mu'adh to invite people to Islam, he (peace be upon him) asked him to make their first message to oneness of Allah, that is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah. Thus, Tawheed is the foremost obligation, it precedes everything even the five daily prayers. On the day of Khaibar, Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Tomorrow I shall give the flag to a person who loves Allah and His Messenger and is loved by Allah and His Messenger. Allah will grant victory under his leadership.” The people spent the night discussing as to whom the flag would be given! In the morning they came eagerly to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). Each one of them hoped to get the flag. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) asked, “Where is Ali Bin Abi Talib?” They replied, “He is suffering from an eyesore.” He was sent for and Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) then applied in his eyes his saliva and prayed for him, where upon he was cured as if he had no pain. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) then gave him the flag and said, “Advance with ease and gentleness until you reach their midst, then call them to Islam and inform them of their duties to Allah in Islam. By Allah, if He may guide through you a single man to Islam, it is better for you than the red camels.” In the above Hadith, the statement “Then invite them to Islam” means inviting people to the two testimonies of Islam, (there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah and that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Allah's Messenger. This also includes the rights of Allah, obligations towards Him and His prohibitions. The statement “ inform them of what is obligatory” means to welcome them into the fold of Islam with complete wisdom. The Hadith also conveys the promised of a reward for a person who guides a single man to Sirat Al-Mustaqeem (the straight path). [email protected] __
