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Fatwa CenterDoubled efforts needed to overcome Da‘wah (Islamic propagation) obstacles
Question
Why do we find that ignorance, polytheism and seeking blessings via graves are dominant in many Muslim countries, despite the multitude of callers to Islam?
Is it due to the negligence of scholars or due to using ways of Da‘wah other than that of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, the early predecessors from among the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, their successors, and the succeeding scholars? How correct is the claim that such methods are old and do not suit our modern age - the age of politics only - and that Divine knowledge no longer exists?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Undoubtedly, calling to Allaah The Almighty is a great obligation and an act that brings a person closer to Him. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.} [Quran 3:104]
Also, Allaah The Almighty has forbidden the hiding of knowledge and has ordained giving advice and revealing the truth. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
{Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allaah and cursed by those who curse, Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident [what they concealed]. Those - I will accept their repentance, and I am the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.} [Quran 2:159-160]
Thus, it is obligatory for scholars to perfectly fulfill this obligation and they will gain a great reward for it. This is because Da‘wah brings about benefit and goodness for both people and their lands. Also, it is an obligation to take hold of religion entirely and not take one part of it on account of another.
In realizing comprehensiveness in Da‘wah, priorities should be considered, starting with the most important fundamentals and then moving to the lesser ones. This is because gradualism is an intrinsic part of the methodology of Da‘wah, particularly calling people to correct the faults in their creed.
In a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas 
and his father, when the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sent Mu‘aath to Yemen, he informed him that he was going to some of the People of the Book. Thus, the first thing he should call them to was to testify that none is worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. If they obeyed and did so, then he should teach them that Allaah has made obligatory five prayers every day and night…etc. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Therefore, the callers to Islam should begin by correcting people's beliefs, disseminating the Sunnah, removing religious innovations and warning against the prevalent forms of polytheism that constitute a great danger to their creed. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, he who associates others with Allaah - Allaah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.} [Quran 5:72]
Without doubt we should use the good efforts of scholars and the seekers of knowledge in the field of Da‘wah, through giving advice, manifesting the truth and establishing clear evidence. In fact, we appreciate such efforts, though they are much less in comparison to the amount of ignorance and corruption spreading everywhere in a manner that requires more strenuous efforts. This is the natural attitude of calling people to Allaah.
Also, politics is a part of religion and one of its means - if it is based on the texts and rules of the Sharee‘ah. Therefore, it does not contradict divine knowledge, rather this acts as its source. Moreover, Islam does not restrict people with respect to means and methods that are, in principle, permissible as long as they do not involve Sharee`ah violations.
Moreover there are always new methods and we may adopt those likely to serve Islam and help convey it to mankind as commanded by Allaah The Almighty.
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