[1] Essential Considerations For the Caller From Some Admonitions of Al-Fawzan, Rabee, Muqbil, and Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah [The Most High] says:

قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى‌ۖ وَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ

Say (O Muhammad): “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. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah)”.

أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ
I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism.

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan [may Allah preserve him] said: This section of the Ayah provides a notification about sincerity because some people call to themselves. It may be that a person propagates, and delivers lectures and sermons, however, his goal is to gain recognition from the people, attain some status, receive praise, and gather and become numerous around him. If this is his aim, then he is not a caller to Allah but rather a caller to himself. The one who abandons Dawah is abandoning a great duty and the one who is insincere in Dawah has fallen into great danger because Dawah must be done sincerely for the sake of Allah. The goal should be to establish Allah’s Shariah and to guide and benefit the people, regardless of whether you receive praise or criticism. Some individuals, however, give up on Dawah when they are not praised or promoted. This serves as evidence that such a caller is not a caller to Allah, but rather he only calls to himself. As a result, the Muslim is warned that sincerity should be his aim in spreading the message of Islam, to benefit the people, free them from polytheism and Bidah, and steer them away from practices that contradict the Shariah, and what is obligated to him. A large number of people surrounding someone does not serve as evidence of their virtue, as some Prophets were only followed by a few people. “A Prophet will come on the day of judgment with a few followers and a Prophet will come with no followers”. [a] Does this mean that such a Prophet is not virtuous? Absolutely not. A person should not pay attention to the large number of people that are present because the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said to Ali [may Allah be pleased with him]. “If Allah gives guidance to a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels”. [b] [1]

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are not harmed by their opponents. If you are with them, they are pleased because they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you will not be able to cause them harm as the Messenger [peace and blessing of Allah be upon him] stated, “There will always be a group from my Ummah who will manifest on the truth and harmed by those who abandon them until the command of Allah is fulfilled (i.e. the day of Judgement) while they are (on the right path).” The one who opposes only harms himself. It is not the large number that is given consideration, rather what is given consideration is agreement with the truth, even if only a few follow it. Even if there is only one person in some eras, as long as he is upon the truth, he is the Jamaa’ah. The Jamaa’ah does not necessitate large numbers; rather, it is about agreeing with the truth – in line with the Book and the Sunnah, even if the followers are few. If many unite upon the truth, it is a strength from Allah; but if the majority oppose it, we stand with the truth even if only a few are upon it. [2]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: Let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers, whilst saying, “Indeed, the people have become such and such, and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them”. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated to you to examine yourself, take account of yourself, and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allah [The Most High] says: [وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 116]

Allah [The Most High] says: [ وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ-And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly]. [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103] [3]

Al-Allaamah Muqbil Bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “If numbers are the scale by way of which you judge, then the majority are mostly blameworthy; and if persuasive speech and eloquence is the scale by way of which you judge, then indeed Allah described the Munaafiqoon that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allah says: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Surah Al-Munaafiqoon. Ayah 4]

Therefore, what is given consideration is that one knows the people of truth by their characteristics – that they call to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, and companions], and they neither desire reward from the people nor seeking to be thanked. [4]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allah preserve him] said: O youth! Be mindful of Shaytaan who is next to you. Seek Allah’s protection against his destructive evil whispers.

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ نَزۡغٌ۬ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ

And if an evil whisper from Shaitan (Satan) tries to turn you away (O Muhammad) (from doing good, etc.), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower]. [Surah Fussilat’ Aayah 36]

If you feel that your inner self is inclined towards showing off and boasting about your knowledge, then turn to Allah, humble yourself, and beseech Him to bless you with sincerity and protect you from the whispers and schemes of Shaytaan. A wise scholar once remarked, “It is truly challenging for a person when their enemy can see them, but they cannot see their enemy.” This statement was made while explaining Allah’s mention of Shaytaan and his armies: [إِنَّهُ ۥ يَرَٮٰكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ ۥ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَہُمۡ‌ۗ – Verily, he and (his soldiers from the jinns or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. [Surah Al-A’raaf’ Ayah 27]

He said, “By Allah! It is a bitter conflict and immense hardship for the person whose adversary can observe them, yet they cannot perceive their adversary, except for the one whom Allah protects. This foe is more dangerous than the army you can see that has troops and strength. This hidden enemy is extremely challenging and will annihilate you while you remain oblivious and incapable of detecting them. We beseech Allah for well-being. [5]

[a] Bukhaari 5705

[b] Bukhaari 3009

[1] An Excerpt from ‘I’aanah Al-Mustafeed Bi-Sharhi Kitaab At-Tawheed’ pages 97-98. Publisher: Ar-Risaalah Publishers 1st edition 1428AH (Year 2007) Slightly paraphrased

[2] An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14 -15

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412

[4] قم المعاند – 2/547

[5] An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 55-56