Dawah Leaflet
PDF> THE PROPHETS INVITATION TO MANKIND
Allaah the most high said, “Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allaah ; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (Soorah Yoosuf 12:108)
The Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam followed the guidance of the Quraan himself first and then invited others. Allaah acknowledges this in the following verse,
“Say (O Muhammad ): “Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.” (Soorah al-An’aam 6:162-163)
The Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam was the first one to pledge his obedience to Allaah and guided others to the straight path. He is the only leader, guide and Imaam of this great Muslim nation. All the companions, successors, their followers, the scholars of Hadeeth, the scholars of jurisprudence and pious people all attained closeness to Allaah only by following the Prophets way. Obeying the Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam is the condition for seeking salvation.
What Was The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallams Way
His way was his sayings, actions, his Sunnah, his Hadeeth, his life, his conduct, his morals and manners. His sayings and practices embody this way and the guidance from his Hadeeth and Sunnah are the only way to paradise. Following the Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam and obeying his command in every aspect from the most detailed issues to basic things are all greatly beneficial and the perfect and clear means to enter paradise.
The Benefit Of Accepting The Prophets Call
Jaabir RadhiAllaahu Anhu narrated part of a long hadeeth), “”His example is that of a man who has built a house and then offered therein a banquet and sent an inviter (messenger) to invite the people. So whoever accepted the invitation of the inviter, entered the house and ate of the banquet, and whoever did not accept the invitation of the inviter, did not enter the house, nor did he eat of the banquet.” The hadeeth goes onto mention “The houses stands for Paradise and the call maker is Muhammad; and whoever obeys Muhammad, obeys Allah; and whoever Disobeys Muhammad, Disobeys Allah. Muhammad thus distinguishes between the people.” (Bukhaari)
So Allaah built a house ie paradise and arranged for provisions. Then Allaah sent Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam as the Messenger to the people, who invited the people to the provisions in paradise. Those who greeted his call and sincerely believed there are no false deities to be worshipped except Allaah and Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam is his Messenger and led their lives in obedience to him would enter the house ie paradise. Those who reject his call will not enter the house nor will they get any of the provision.
The Penalty For Not Accepting The Call Of Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam
Abu Hurairah RadhiAllaahu Anhu narrated the Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam said, “Allaah’s Apostle said, “All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).” (Bukhaari)
The Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alahee Wasallam Pulls Us Out Of The Fire
Abu Hurairah RadhiAllaahu Anhu narrated, “I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “My example and the example of the people is that of a man who made a fire, and when it lighted what was around it, Moths and other insects started falling into the fire. The man tried (his best) to prevent them, (from falling in the fire) but they overpowered him and rushed into the fire. The Prophet added: Now, similarly, I take hold of the knots at your waist (belts) to prevent you from falling into the Fire, but you insist on falling into it” (Bukhaari)
The Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam invited the people to Islaam and explained the message of Tawheed. He called the people to his way and asked them to follow him. In the same manner the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam also invited us to the straight path. The Muslims should only listen to this call which leads to the straight path.
Identifying The Way To Paradise
Abdullaah ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllaahu Anhu said: The Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam drew a line for us and said: “This is Allaah’s Straight Path.” Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said: “These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it.” Then he recited, “Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths, they will separate you from His Path.” (Soorah al-An’aam 6:153.) Hasan: Related by Ahmad (1/435) and an-Nasaa’ee (7/49). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albanee in his checking to Kitaab us-Sunnah (no.16) of Ibn Abee Aasim)
This Hadeeth shows the middle path according to the prophet which represents a path to Allaah, his obedience and worship which will eventually lead to salvation and paradise.
The Straight Path Is The Path of The Messenger Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam
The way of the Blessed Prophet Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam was the path which all of the companions followed and every Muslim should follow this way. Following this way is the straight path and it is also obedience to the Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam.
All of the companions, successors and their followers (the taabieen and taba taabieen) pursued the Prophets way in observing the Hadeeth and Sunnah therefore all of us should pledge to only follow the Hadeeth and Sunnah and nothing else. In addition we should also dismiss the sayings of others which contradict the ahadeeth, we should not accept any belief, action or practise which are not endorsed by the Quraan, Hadeeth or the Prophetic Sunnah.
The Criterion Of The Correct Path.
Maalik Ibn Anas RadhiAllaahu Anhu narrated, “The Prophet Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam said, “I am leaving behind 2 things amongst you, as long as you adhere to these two things you will never be misguided, they are the book of Allaah (ie the Quraan) and the Sunnah of the Messenger Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam) Muwatta Of Imaam Maalik)
These 2 things are pivotal and act as a criteria for every aspect in Islaam. So People who attempt to guide and lecture the Muslims without reference to the Quraan and Hadeeth are in essence not instructing us in Islaam. Sticking and understanding the Sunnah has great importance in our guidance to the straight path.
The Ahlul Hadeeth Or Salafis Are Not A New Sect
It should be known Salafiyyah or Ahlul Hadeeth is not a sect as it is not named after some person like most groups are, nor is it linked to any colour, race, country, nationality or personality. Only the statements of Allaah and the statements of the Messenger of Allaah Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam are authority for them. This is what the Ahlul Hadeeth and those upon the way of the Salaf Us-Saaleh (Pious Predecesors) believed from the time of the companions up until this day. Hence the Muslims are only obliged to follow and to act upon the Quraan and Sunnah.
Resolving Our Religious Differences, Abolishing the Different Sects and Uniting
This can only be done by referring our differences to the Quraan and Hadeeth. Once we believe in Allaahs oneness and in the Messengership of Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam, a Muslim becomes part of the universal Muslim brotherhood of Islaam. All of us, as Muslims are obligated to refer and practise the Quraan and Sunnah and if we did this sincerely without following the statements of people, like holy saints or Imaams, we would not have the differences that we have today. Without these difference we will have unity, solidarity, mutual love and brotherhood.
This was the way of the companions in that they would always refer to the Quraan and Sunnah. Hence this was the reason they embodied unity and brotherhood. In the same way we should also follow their way and refer all our differences to the Quraan and Hadeeth and thereby unifying the Muslims. This is what Allaah has commanded, he said,
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren…” (Sooral Ale-Imraan 3:103)
Calling All The Muslims To The Straight Path
So oh Muslims let’s adopt this correct understanding of Islaam and let’s follow and obey the Quraan and hadeeth only, according to the understanding of the Salaf us Saaleh ie the companions, the successors and their followers.
The best word is the book of Allaah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhee Wasallam. May Allaah shower his blessings on all the Muslims and guide us to the straight path. Ameen
Ahlul hadeeth - The Way Of The Salaf 