Dawah and Tableegh Is it Every Muslim’s Responsibility?

Allah addresses Nabi (saw) and all his followers till the Day of Judgment saying):

قُلْ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۠ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى ۖ وَسُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

{Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allaah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allaah, i.e. to the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge.}

[12:108]

It is recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim that Allaah’s Messenger (saw) said:

بلغوا عني ولو آية،

“Convey from me even one verse”. Another Hadeeth reads: “A present one has to inform an absentee.”

Thus, we state that Da’wah (inviting others to Islam) is an obligation for every Muslim, but this is different according to people’s situations, faculties and their scientific, social and political qualifications.

No doubt that the greatest responsibility is upon rulers, scholars and those persons who are in authority. Allah says (interpretation of meaning):

ٱلَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَمَرُوا۟ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا۟ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْأُمُورِ ٤١

{Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allaah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures).}

[22: 41]

Then, everyone is responsible for individual obligations, and al-Amanah (the trust, moral responsibility and Divine obligations) which includes Da’wah to Allaah and His religion. This differs from one person to another. However, such an obligation (Da’wah to Islam) is according to one’s ability. Allah says (interpretation of meaning):

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ

{Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope. …} [2: 286],

By ending revelation and sealing Prophethood with Muhammad (saw) it becomes each and every Muslim’s duty to assume the duty of Da’wah to Islam and to spread its teaching among people. So, bearers of the Islamic Message are required to convey this message to all people and to state the universality of Islam.

Allaah says:

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا كَآفَّةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًۭا وَنَذِيرًۭا وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

{And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, …} [34: 28]

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةًۭ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

{And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).} [21: 107]

One who practices Da’wah to Allah is, in fact, practicing enjoining good. If one invites or orders some people to perform prayer or fast in Ramadan or to avoid something wrong, this is a special task, and then, a form of Da’wah. So, every Muslim should be a Da’iyah (one who invites others to Islam).

In Summary it is incumbent upon every Muslim to propagate any form of authentic righteous Islamic knowledge they have that may save humanity from the hell fire

Brief Biography of Sheikh Zakriyya (ra)
In the last century, India has undoubtedly become an important center for the study of hadith, and the scholars of India have become well-known for their passion for religious knowledge. Upon them ended the era of leadership in teaching hadiths, codification of the special fields [funun] of hadith, and commentary upon its texts [mutun) and in the work of Dawat and Tableegh on eof them is Sheikh Zakariyya

Birth
1898 February 2 – Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalawi bin Maulana Mohammad Yahya was born, coinciding with 10 Ramadhan 1315 Hijri. He was the nephew of Maulana Ilyas.

There is no doubt that Shaykh Muhammad Zakariyya was among the most distinguished hadith scholars of India and a great contributor in the service of the Sunnah. He was given the honorary title of Shaykh al-Hadith, or “Great Scholar of Hadith,” by his teacher, Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri, who recognized his deep insight, clear-sightedness, and extensive knowledge of hadith and related sciences. Lineage and Upbringing

His father, Shaykh Muhammad Yahya, was among the great scholars of India, whose primary teacher in hadith was Shaykh Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. Under him he studied Sahih al-Bukhari, Jami al-Tirmidhi, and others of the six famous authentic books of hadith [sihah sitta]. Shaykh Yahya went on to teach at Madrasa Mazahir Ulum, in the district of Saharanpur, but did not accept any payment for his services. He instead made his living through his own book-publishing business.

Written Works
His books have gained overwhelming acceptance througout the world, so much so that his work Fadaail Amaal such as Fada’il al-Qur’an [Virtues of the Qur’an] has been translated into eleven languages, Fada’il Ramadan [Virtues of Ramadan] into twelve languages, and Fada’il al-Salat [Virtues of Prayer] into fifteen languages. He wrote four books on Qur’an commentary [tafsir] and proper recitation [tajwid], forty-four books on hadith and its related sciences, six books on jurisprudence [fiqh] and its related sciences, twenty-four historical and biographical books, four books on Islam creed [aqida], twelve books on abstinence [zuhd] and heart-softening accounts [riqaq], three books in Arabic grammar and logic, and six books on modern-day groups and movements.

Personality
Shaykh Abu ‘l-Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi says about his characteristics, “He was extremely vibrant, never lazy; light-hearted, smiling, cheerful, friendly; and he often jested with his close friends and acquaintances. We saw in him good character and forbearance with people, as well as a rare humilty; and above all, his personal qualities were always governed by his deep faith and sense of contentment.”

Death
He had always hoped to meet Allah while in the city of the Messenger (SallAllahu alahi wasallam); Allah granted his wish. He died there on Monday Sha’ban 1, 1402 AH (May 24, 1982 CE) and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi’, in the company of the Companions and the noble family members of the Messenger (SallAllahu alahi wasallam). His funeral procesion was followed by a large number of people and he was buried in the Baqi’ graveyard next to his teacher Shaykh Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri. May Allah forgive him, grant mercy, and elevate his status. Amin.