Every Muslim is supposed to be keen on the religious commitment of his fellow Muslims especially in countries where Muslims as are a minority. In such parts of the world, Muslim leaders and community imams and scholars should exert more concerted efforts to educate Muslims about Islam and to bring up future generations who are religiously committed.
In this regard, we call upon you to try your best to be patient and to avoid getting angry as anger is not usually in the favor of the Da`iyah or his target audience. You should also keep in mind that Da`wah needs patience and preserverance. The Da`iyah should call his target audience to the true path of Islam with wisdom and fair exhortation. He should really follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who was a pioneer in Da`wah to Allah.
Here, we advise you to make use of the following related fatwa about the significance of Da`wah and the ethics of the Da`iyah:
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, former head of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and member of the Fiqh Council of North America, states:
“We should first understand what da`wah is. Da`wah means to invite people to the way of Allah the Almighty, to call unto them to know the truth and follow it.
“Da`wah is done in two ways. The first one is through example, through being a role model. In the Qur’anic terminology it is called “being witnesses towards mankind” (Shuhada’ ‘ala an-nasi). It is the duty of every Muslim, male or female, young or old, to be a witness of Almighty Allah among the people. When people see a Muslim, they should see a good person, a person of truth, of sincerity and of virtue. A Muslim’s life should be an open invitation through which people see the beauty of Islam and find it an interesting code of ethics and teachings to follow. Allah Most High says in the Qur’an: “Thus we have appointed you a middle community in order that you may be witnesses towards humankind and that the Messenger may be a witness towards you… (Al-Baqarah:143). All Muslims must give da`wah through their good Islamic life as individuals, as families and as communities. People who come into contact with them should see Islam as a living and practical faith that makes the life of human beings better.
Another way of giving da`wah is through teaching, preaching, communication, engaging in dialogues, discussions and debates, writing books and articles, giving lectures, etc. Almighty Allah says: “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. ” (An-Nahl: 125) Of course this requires deep knowledge, preparation and training. Muslims should use the most effective and appropriate methods of da`wah in every place and time. Nowadays, for example, da`wah requires modern ways such as the use of radio, television, Internet in addition to the person-to-person preaching and teaching.
I know that every Muslim would not have time to go through this kind of training and give da`wah in this way. But some people must prepare themselves and engage in this field, as Allah the Exalted says: “And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may beware.” (At-Tawbah 9:122)
Thus, giving da`wah with proper training and specialization is regarded as fard kifayah (collective obligation). That means in every community some people must take the proper da`wah training and should do this work in a systematic and methodical way on behalf of all other members of the community. If some people do this work, then there is no blame on others, but if no one does it, all Muslims of the community are considered sinners. It is the duty of all Muslims to support this work by providing facilities and funds so that it can be done in a proper manner.”