Whether it is the polytheists of Arabia or the Jews and Christians, their claim of conformance to Prophet Ibrahim-AS seems very absurd in the light of their beliefs and practices. Prophet Ibrahim-AS was a great leader and truly obedient servant of Allaah-SWT .He never concocted his beliefs or practices, whereas the entire religion of these people is fabricated. He never indulged in polytheism, whereas it forms the very basis of their religion. Besides, he was a person grateful to Allaah-SWT for His-SWT endowments, and was Allaah-SWT ’s chosen one. He fought against the entire society, the rulers as well as-every evil force without giving up Allaah-SWT ’s obedience. The love for his family and home could not deter him from migrating in Allaah-SWT ’s Cause. He abandoned his wife and beloved son in the desert on His-SWT Command and was chosen as the leader, the guide and the precursor for generations to come. Allaah-SWT honoured him with a very high status in this world and in the Akhirah he will be amongst His-SWT favourites. O' Prophet"-SW! We enjoined upon you to follow the ways of Ibrahim-AS, to obey Allaah-SWT with the same dedication and in the same way. His obedience is exemplary as he was thoroughly upright and straight. He was not never ever a polytheist like these people, nor did he adopt any rituals as are invented by them. And this classification of lawful and the forbidden and consecration of days was never enjoined on him, nor he ever practised it as these people do.
To consecrate days at will-as Serious a crime as Concocting the Lawful and the Forbidden
For instance, take the special reverence attached to Sabbath (Saturday). Who Commanded the Jews contemporary to Holy Prophet-SW to observe its sanctity, whereas it was only a specific order enjoined upon the people of a particular time. Of them some accepted it while those who disputed over and violated it were annihilated. The actual retribution for defying Allaah-SWT ’s Command awaits them in the Akhirah, when all the disputes will be resolved by a Divine Judgement. It is, therefore, obvious that consecration of days is as big a crime as declaring something permissible and forbidden by own choice. The Holy Prophet-SW is assigned to invite people to Allah-SWT, with wisdom and by way of counselling towards his Rabb-SWT
It is evident here that the real aim of Prophethood is to invite people to Allaah-SWT . The establishment of an Islamic State, maintaining an Army for Jihad, the Legislature and the Administration, are all efforts towards the achievement of this basic objective. Therefore, a country where all these State functions exist yet the Divine Laws are not implemented, the State remains indifferent by declaring religion as a personal matter, and uses the State resources only to protect the interests of the ruling lot, can in no way be termed as Islamic. To turn it into an Islamic State is the first and the foremost duty of its every Muslim citizen, as implementation of Din is a prerequisite to bring people closer to Allaah-SWT and make them submit only to Him-SWT . As for the mode that should be adopted for calling people to Allah-SWT, the invitation will be extended with great wisdom and sagacity, in the form of counselling, which should make it obvious that the counsellor has the addressee's welfare at heart. So, while inviting someone to Allah-SWT, one must talk in a way to let the listener know that it is in his own interest to obey Allaah-SWT and the speaker is not imposing himself on him in the name of religion In nutshell two factors are basic to this invitation, namely :
- Wisdom. It means that one must analyze the situation and speak as it dictates. The time and the place should be right. This includes analysing the kind of disobedience people are indulged in, whether they practise polytheism or disbelief, or are involved in innovations. And what is their level of knowledge and understanding as well as their worldly status? Keeping all these factors in mind the most appropriate way to explain things must be chosen. And due regard will be given to the condition and needs of the addressee.
- Fair Exhortation. The listener will be spoken to in the form of fair exhortation. 'Mo'izah means to urge earnestly: to give advice with the foremost aim of betterment of the listener. The addition of the word 'Hasanah" refers to the fact that this entire exercise is to be carricd out meticulously and sincerely.
- Positive Discussion. If the situation arises whereby the addressee or any of his friends tries to prove their stance as correct and the point of view of the preacher as wrong through arguments or disputation, the preacher must not allow beauty and grace to slip out of his arguments. The beauty in a discussion or disputation lies in the fact that it is conducted only for establishing the truth and nol for merely deriding the opponent or for establishing one's own supremacy in knowledge. Moreover, mutual respect must be maintained throughout the discussion w ithout resorting to any sarcasm whatsoever. The Divine Book presents examples of this gracious mode of invitation; for instance, when Allaah-SWT deputed Prophets Musa-AS and Harun-AS to invite the arch infidel and tyrant Pharaoh who had claimed divinity for himself Allaah-SWT Commanded them to speak softly and in an appealing manner. And who would be more unfortunate than the one who instead of conveying Allaah-SWT ’s Message and establishing His-SWT Greatness desires to establish his own superiority? This indeed is a point to ponder for the religious scholars and especially for the spiritual mentors.
The method of invitation
The duty assigned to the Holy Prophet'-SW is merely to invite people to Allah-SWT; who would opt for disobedience or for guidance is in the Knowledge of the Munificent. Hardships on this path are inevitable. The non believers and the antagonists will nol hesitate to physically harm the believers and even the Holy Prophet. "-SW .If it comes to that point, he may also retaliate, but only to the extent that when he subdues them he may inflict an equal harm. However, if he observes patience even in this condition and overlooks their behaviour, it is certainly a very commendable act. And as for the exalted personality of the Holy Prophet-SW‘s tolerance and perseverance are more befitting to his grace, because his perseverance is by the capacity Allaah-SWT has granted to him. So he should not grieve over the vexations of the non believers and the polytheists towards him and the believers, as their contrivance cannot harm him in any way.
Personal company
O’ Prophet-SW ! You-SW and those benefiting from your-SW Barakah are blessed with Ihsan. In terms of inner states of the heart, you-SW are blessed with Divine Nearness and Taqwa and a perfectly sincere relationship with Him-SWT .Surely such people enjoy His-SWT Personal Company, the outcome whereof is that the conspiracies of the wicked can cause them no harm.
