Transliteration:( Ud'u ilaa sabeeli Rabbika bilhikmati walmaw 'izatil hasanati wa jaadilhum billatee hiya ahsan; inna Rabbaka huwa a'almu biman dalla 'an sabeelihee wa Huwa a'lamu bilmuhtadeen )
277. This means invite the entire creation towards Islam.Â
From this we understand that a the Holy Prophet ? Messenger to the entire mankind, and his propagational work would continue until the Day of Qiyamah.Â
The Holy Prophet ? propagated Islam directly to his Noble Companions, thereafter this work is continued by the scholars the Ulama. Furthermore, only Islam is the Path of Allah Almighty, besides it all the other religions are the path of the devil. Says Allah Almighty: "Verily, only Islam is the Religion before Allah" (S3:V19).
278. Wisdom constitutes positive proofs like to inculcate an inclination, to instil fear, to narrate incidents of the previous people.Â
279. Debate with people according to their capacity and benefit. Or, debate so as to provide guidance and not to cause any mischief.Â
From this emerge two issues:
1. To debate on religious issues with those bereft of faith is beneficial.Â
2. Proofs are effective for specific people, while stories with a moral, inculcating an inclination and instilling a fear, are suitable for common people, but debate should be with those who are bent on mischief. Since people are of three categories, propagation should also be of three types (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan).Â
280. People's nature or their destiny will not change through propagation and debates and all the people will not accept faith through these means. This will however help to fulfil your obligation. Guidance comes from Allah Almighty alone.
Â
125. Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them with that which is best. Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path, and He best knows those who are guided.
Allah commands His Messenger Muhammad to invite the people to Allah with Hikmah (wisdom). Ibn Jarir said: “That is what was revealed to him from the Book and the Sunnah.”
(and fair preaching) meaning, with exhortation and stories of the events that happened to people that are mentioned in the Qur’an, which he is to tell them about in order to warn them of the punishment of Allah.
(and argue with them with that which is best.) meaning, if any of them want to debate and argue, then let that be in the best manner, with kindness, gentleness and good speech, as Allah says elsewhere:
(And do not argue with the People of the Book, unless it be with that which is best, except for those who purposefully do wrong.) ﴿29:46﴾ Allah commanded him to speak gently, as He commanded Musa and Harun to do when he sent them to Pharaoh, as He said:
(And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allah))(20: 44).
(Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path,) meaning, Allah already knows who is doomed (destined for Hell) and who is blessed (destined for Paradise). This has already been written with Him and the matter is finished, so call them to Allah, but do not exhaust yourself with regret over those who go astray, for it is not your task to guide them. You are just a warner, and all you have to do is convey the Message, and it is He Who will bring them to account.
(You cannot guide whom you love) ﴿28:56﴾
(It is not up to you to guide them, but Allah guides whom He wills.) ﴿2:72﴾
(16:125) (O Prophet), call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation,[122] and reason with them in the best manner possible.[123] Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed away from His path, and He also knows well those who are guided to the Right Way.
122. This instruction is very important for those who are engaged in the propagation of Islam. They should always keep in view two things, wisdom and excellent admonition. Wisdom implies that one should use discretion in the work of propagation and should not do this blindly like foolish people. Wisdom demands that one should keep in view the intelligence, capability and circumstances of the addressees and convey the message in accordance with the requirements of the occasion. Moreover, one should refrain from applying one and the same method to each and every person or group but should first diagnose the real disease of the addressee and then cure it by appealing to his mind and intellect.
Excellent admonition implies two things:
(1) One should not be content with convincing the addressee with arguments alone but should also appeal to his feelings. Likewise one should not confine himself merely to arguments in condemning evils and deviations but should try to convince the other of their repugnance that lies embedded in the human nature. One should also warn of the worst consequences of those evils. Besides, one should not only try to convince the addressee rationally of the soundness and excellence of guidance and righteous deeds but should also create in him interest and love for them.
(2) Admonition should be administered in such a manner as to show sincere concern for and the welfare of the addressee. Nothing should be said or done to create the impression that the admonisher is looking down upon him and taking pleasure in his own feeling of superiority. On the contrary, he should feel that the admonisher is filled with the strong desire for his reform and welfare.
123. “In a way that is better” implies that one should have a sweet tongue, show noble character and give reasonable and appealing arguments, and refrain from indulging in polemics, argumentation and controversies. The one who discusses things with people in the best manner, does not resort to accusations, crooked arguments, taunts, nor makes fun of the opponent in order to defeat him and to win applause for his own superiority in argument. For these things will produce obduracy and obstinacy. In contrast to this, he will try to convince the other in a simple and humble way, and when he feels that the other person has come down to crooked arguments, he will leave him alone lest the other should go further and further astray in his deviation.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics