Article Citation: Shittu, S. I. (2025). The significance of da'wah to the attitudinal reform among Nigerians. Al-Takamul International Journal, 1. https://www.al-takamul.com
By
Salihu Imam Shittu, PhD
Department of Islamic
Studies
Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal
University of Education, Kano
salihushittuimam72@gmail.com; 08036553583
Abstract
Islam attached great importance to Da’wah right from its beginning. This is demonstrated in the objectives of sending messengers by Almighty Allah. Reformation of polluted society as in the present day world can only be revived through Da’wah activities. It is in view of this situation that this paper examines Da'wah and its significance in Islam. The sub topics discussed in this paper include Da'wah in Islam, Da'wah in Qur'an and sunnah, the concept of Da'i and his characteristics, methodologies of Da'wah in Islam in the contemporary time, challenges of Da'i, objectives of Da'wah, reward for Da'wah, the significance of Da'wah in Islam and the significance of Da’wah to the attitudinal reform among Nigerians. The paper discovered that Da'wah is so significant that, it can influence attitudinal change among people. In the process of writing this paper, interview, observation and library methodologies were used in gathering information in the paper. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to improve Da'wah and its practice in Islam
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Keywords: |
Du’at,
Da’wah, Reformation, Qur’an, Sunnah. |
Introduction
Propagation of Islam right from inception depends solely on Da’wah. The
messengers sent to the world by Almighty Allah from time to time to different
generations were mandated to propagate Islam through Da’wah. This
therefore means that, Da’wah is a symbol of Islam and its
significance cannot be over emphasized. The strategies and methodologies of the
prophets in making Da’wah in Islam are relevant to the
propagation of Islam at all times. The exemplary life of the prophets in
making Da’wah Ilallah should be imitated by any Muslim willing
to make Da’wah in Islam. Da’wah is expected
to be carried out without recourse to any condition or benefit except reward
from Almighty Allah. This is an indirect call to the Muslims that, the
objectives of their involvement in Da’wah are purely the
progress of Islam and the attainment of the pleasure of Almighty Allah in both
worlds.
Concept of Da’wah in Islam
Da’wah is an
Arabic word and has been variously defined literally and technically by many
scholars. For example, the Arabic - English studies Dictionary of research and
studies centre (2008: 406) defined Da’wah literally as call,
appeal, invitation, request or missionary work. According to Ibn Raji
(2007:27) Da’wah literally means call or invitation.
The literal usage of the concept of
Da’wah is found in many verses of the Glorious Qur'an. Allah (SWT)
says:
﴿وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو
إِلَىٰ دَارِ السَّلَامِ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ﴾
But Allah doth call to the home of peace, He doth guide whom He
pleased to a way that is straight. (Qur'an 10: 25)
The word Da 'awah used in the
above verse of the Glorious Qur'an does not denote Da 'awah in
Islam but an invitation denoting the literal usage of the concept.
Technically, Da’wah as a
concept in Islam can be defined as a process that involves inviting people to
the way of Almighty Allah, preach Islam to the people or advise Muslims on how
to handle issues relating to their religious way of life.
According to Lawal (2012:4), Da’wah means:
طلب ميل الناس إلى الخير
والهدى وتحذيرهم من الشر والردى، وامرهم بالمعروف ونهيهم عن المنكر مع بذل
لهدايتهم إلى الصراط المستقيم.
A process of changing people for good and guidance and warn them
to stay away from evil and destruction and guide them to do good with sincere
effort that will lead them to the straight path.
This is one of the most comprehensive definition
of Da’wah in Islam, because, it mentioned “guidance” and
“warning” which are the major issues that has dominated the activities of the
prophets of Allah (SWT) from the beginning to the end. The prophets were always
directed to guide people towards Allah and to warn them against engaging in
evils.
Da’wah in Qur'an and Sunnah
The essence of Da’wah in Islam
is to reform a polluted society. The reformations are divinely observed through
directives to the prophets by Almighty Allah. The need for Da’wah as
stated above is to reform a society, adjust a derailing one and guide an
individual into Islam or to perfect Islam. This is one of the principal aim of
the Qur'anic revelation as Allah (SWT) says:
﴿ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
This is the book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt to those
who fear Allah. (Qur'an 2: 2)
The Glorious Qur'an according to Mahmoud (2006:
24) is a book of guidance which is the major source or basis of all Da'wah activities.
The basic work of the Glorious Qur'an therefore is to invite
people to the right path and to provide them with the proper guidance which is
the major objective of Da’wah.
One of the characteristics that has made the
community of the prophet (SAW) the best community ever created by Almighty
Allah is that it proclaimed Islam, work as Muslims and invite others to Islam.
Allah (SWT) says:
﴿كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ
بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ
آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۚ مِّنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ﴾
You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what
is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah (Qur'an 3: 110)
This verse shows that, one of the best action in
the life of a Muslim is to engage in Da’wah as stated by Allah
(SWT) in the Glorious Qur'an when He says:
﴿وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ
صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ﴾
Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works
righteousness, and says, I am of those who are Muslims. (Qur'an 41: 33)
However, it is important to mention here that,
Allah (SWT) mentions the best method that need to be adopted by every
caller (Da'i ) to Islam, Allah (SWT) says:
﴿ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ
الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ ﴾
Invite (all) to the way of thy lord with wisdom and beautiful
preaching ....(Qur'an 16: 125)
A Muslim Da'i is supposed to
imitate the exemplary pattern of the prophet (SAW) in discharging his duty as
Allah's representative on earth.
Hadith of the prophet (SAW) provides some
explanations on Da’wah in Islam. The Hadith reads:
وعن أبى العباس سهل بن
سعد رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال يوم خيبر ... لأن يهدى الله
بك رجلا واحد خيرا لك من حمر النعم (متفق عليه).
Narrated by Abul Abbas Sahl bin Sa'ad may Allah be pleased with
him that, he heard the prophet (SAW) on the day of Khaibar saying, .... By
Allah, if a single person embraces Islam through your effort, that will be
better for you than red camels. (Bukhari & Muslim)
This hadith emphasizes invitation to Islam and
the benefit of gaining or winning a convert into Islam. In another Hadith:
عن أبي هريرية رضى الله
عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من دعا إلى الهدى كان له من الأجر مثل
أجور من اتبعه ر ينقص من اجورهم شيئا، ومن دعا إلى ضلالة كان عليه من افثم مثل من
تبعه لا ينقص ذلك من اثامهم شيئا (رواه مسلم).
Narrated by Abu - Hurairah may Allah be pleased with him whoever
calls to guidance will be rewarded like the reward of those he guided and
whoever leads astray will be given sins like the sins of those he has led
astray. (Muslim)
This hadith, emphasizes on Da 'awah which is call
to guidance.
Concept of Da'i and His
Characteristics
Arabic - English dictionary of research
defined Da'i literally as an inviter, one who invites others
or a host. This literal definition of Da'i implies that, he /
she is the one who invite another person or other people to an event, occasion
or a particular situation.
However, a Da'i in this paper
is referring to a person who invites another person or other people to Islam or
to the perfection of the teachings of Islam. Da’iyah is
synonymous to Da'i and was defined by Qassas as a Muslim who
is qualified to practice Da’wah.
As mentioned by Qassas above, it is important
for a Da'i to have certain characteristics to qualify him for
the great spiritual assignment. These characteristics as summarized by Qassas
include:
The Da’iyah speech should be true, he should be modest and humble,
his heart is constant in hardship and ease. His needs are few, his nights spent
in prayer, his days in learning, his deeds seen as few by a critical self.
Strong in religion, firm in faith and ambitious for knowledge. Conscious by day
and thankful at i night, desires contained and anger restrained. He is kind to
his kith and kin, forgiving and giving, aware and forbearing, observant and
trustful. From his numerous burdens his soul is wary, but people from him will
experience ease.
The above characteristics of a Da’i mentioned
by Qassas constitute many qualities of the Prophet (SAW). This
implies that, exhibiting them., will assist in making Da'i and
his Da’wah activities successful.
Ibn Bazz also outlined some characteristics
which are expected of every Da'i in Islam. They include:
1. Sincerity - a Da 'i must ensure
that, he is carrying out Da 'awah sincerely for the sake of
Allah and not for the sake of anybody or anything else other than the progress
of Islam.
2. Working knowledge of Islam – a Da
'i must not gather all the knowledge of Islam before embarking
on Da’wah. All he needs to do is to have basic knowledge of
what he is calling people upon or the knowledge of what he is explaining to the
people.
3. Patience and perseverance are among the qualities expected of
a Da'i-Ilallah. These will assist the Da'i in
accommodating and carrying all people along in his effort to contribute to the
progress of Islam. He must endure negative and abnormal attitudes from the
Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the process of carrying out Da’wah as
was done by the Prophet (SAW) and mentioned by Allah (SWT) in the Glorious
Qur'an:
﴿فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا
غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ
لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ
ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ﴾
It was by the mercy of Allah thou was lenient with them, for if
thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round
about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them
upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in
Allah lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust. (Q3: 159
This Qur'anic verse has clearly
explained the efforts made by the prophet (SAW) in accommodating his sahabah (companions).
The prophet (SAW) was simple hearted, humble, and gave utmost attention and
listening ears to the sahabah as part of strategies to spread
Islam. These strategies of the prophet (SAW) are most needed for all Da’wah activities
till end of the time.
4. Another quality expected of a Da 'i is showing
good example among people. Actions of a Da'i must tally with
his words so as to encourage people to emulate him. He must not behave like the
Jews who commanded others to behave well and they behave contrary to their
words and preaching. In relation to the attitude of the Jews, Allah (SWT) says:
﴿أَتَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ
وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ﴾
Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practice
it) yourselves and yet ye study the scripture? Will ye not understand? (Qur'an
2: 44)
Other qualities of a Da'i include:
5. Knowledge of the environment and the local culture of the people
to be invited to the way of Allah is also important to the Da 'i. He
need this knowledge to guide him to know how to relate to the people he is
either guiding to accept Islam or assisting to perfect their mode of
worshipping as Muslims.
6. A Da’i should consider his service to the people
as an act of Ibadah as does by the great prophets of Allah.
7. A Da 'i should be ready to make sacrifice where
and when necessary. This sacrifice could be in form of wealth, time, and many
other things.
These are just few among the abundant
characteristics of a qualified Da'i in Islam.
Methodologies of Da’wah in
Islam in the Contemporary Time
Da’wah involves
making clarifications to the Muslims on how to live a life of good Muslim and
invite non-Muslims to Islam. This implies that, this situation involves a
learner and a teacher In this regard, a Da'i is the teacher
and others are the learners. It is important to mention here that, teaching and
learning cannot effectively take place without the use of proper methodologies.
For a successful and effective Da’wah to take place Siddiqi,
(1989) recommended the following methodologies. They include:
a. Individual contact. This involves a Da 'i contacting
the person concerned in the Da 'awah directly without any
intermediary.
b. Through writing of letters to people who are educated to be
invited to Islam or to be taught on how to improve on their dealings as
Muslims.
c. Campaigns against munkar (evils). Condemnation of
evils and commendation of good works among Muslims can encourage the doing of
good and discourage participation in munkar (bad deeds). This
campaign can be carried out by scholars in groups or as individual levels.
d. The use of media. The relevance of television, radio stations,
newspapers and other media sources in the spread of information among people
cannot be over emphasized. In this regard therefore, information on Da’wah in
Islam can be presented to the people without necessarily going to their
door-steps.
e. Internet and social media outlets e.g facebook, youtube, whatsapp
etc.
Through organizing seminars, symposiums and
possibly conferences on issues that requires attention of Da’wah in
Islam.
Objectives of Da’wah in Islam
The essence of human creation is to worship Allah (SWT) with
utmost sincerity. Allah (SWT says:
﴿وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ﴾
I have only created jinns and men, that they may serve me. (Qur'an
51: 56)
While commenting on the above Qur'anic verse,
Ali, (1620) in the Glorious Qur'an English translation of the meanings and
commentary observed that:
Creation is not for idle sport or play. Allah has a serious
purpose behind it, which in our imperfect state, we can only express by saying
that, each creature is given the chance of development and progress towards the
goal which is Allah.
The objectives of Da’wah should
be geared towards achieving the goals for which human beings are created. The
principal objective of Da’wah should or must therefore be
directed towards the consolidation of oneness of Allah and His worship among
people.
Next to the above in the objectives of Da’wah is
the reformation of a derailing society or individuals. The major objective of Da’wah of
prophet Nuh (AS) is mentioned in the Glorious where Allah (SWT) says:
﴿لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ
اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ
عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ﴾
We sent Noah to his people, He said o my people, worship Allah ye
have no other god but Him. (Qur'an 7: 59)
Prophet Hud (AS) also told his people the
samething. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:
﴿وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا
اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ﴾
To Ad (we sent) Hud, one of their brethren: He said, O my people
worship Allah ye have no other god but Him will ye (not fear Allah). (Qur'an 7:
65)
The same trend as seen above was used by other
messengers of Allah (SWT) down to prophet Muhammad (SAW), The first major theme
of their Da’wah is calling people to the oneness of and
worship Allah (SWT) with sincerity.
AbdulHamid, Handawi (2006) in his book
"minhaj al-Da’wah fi-waqi'inah al-m'asiri' outlined the
following as the objectives of Da’wah in Islam. They are:
1. Calling people to belief in the oneness of Allah.
2. Encouraging people to obey the commandments of Allah (SWT) and His
messengers.
3. Striving to purify people's soul from any type of misbehavior.
A critical look at the above points indicates
that, they are aspects of explanation on the above Qur’anic verses that
explained objectives of Da’wah of the messengers of Allah
(SWT).
According to Sheikh Ahmad Yahaya in an interview
conducted with him he stated that, objectives of Da'wah in
Islam are:
1. Dissemination of Islamic faith to gain converts.
2. Facilitation and cultural interaction and inter-group relations
among Muslims.
3. Training and encouragement to other Du’at in
Islam.
All the objectives of Da’wah mentioned
above are directed towards the same goal of establishing and strengthening the
oneness of Allah and worship Allah (SWT) according to His commandments.
Reward of Da’wah in Islam
Da’wah is an act of Ibadah and
attracts reward from Almighty Allah like all other acts of Ibadah. Du’at is
expected to look upon to Almighty Allah for rewards for their duties. This
principles guides contemporary Du’at in emulating the
Prophets’ tradition of seeking reward only from Allah as has been
the culture of the messengers of Allah from the beginning to the end. While
explaining the position of prophet Nuh (AS) in relation to rewai on Da’wah, Allah
(SWT) says:
﴿فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم مِّنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ
إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ﴾
But if ye turn back, (consider) no reward have I asked of you; my
reward is only due from Allah, and Have been commanded to be of those who
submit to Allah's will (in Islam). (Qur'an 10: 72)
The Prophet (SAW) gave an explanations similar
to the above on the reward of a Da 'i in Islam, The Glorious
Qur'an mention the explanations of the Prophet (SAW) as follows:
﴿ذَٰلِكَ الَّذِي يُبَشِّرُ اللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا
وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ ۗ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا
الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةً نَّزِدْ لَهُ فِيهَا
حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ﴾
... say: No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of
those near of kin ... (Qur'an 42: 23)
The above Qur'anic verses are
confirmation on the belief and commandments of all prophets of Allah to their
communities that, the reward for Da'wah is only from Almighty
Allah.
The extent and beauty of the work of Da'wah has been
mentioned in some of the ahadith of the prophet SAW seen above. The Hadith of
Abul Abbass Sahl Ibn Sa'ad mentioned earlier in the paper is a good example.
Abdulkarim Zaidan (2001: 23) observed that:
قلا يطلب الداعي من أحد
من الخلق اجرا على دعوته ولا مالا ولا ثناء ولا جاها....
A Da’I should not seek reward from anybody for his Da’wah efforts,
either money / cash, praise or respect . . .
The Significance of Da’wah to
the Attitudinal Reform among Nigerians
Hornby, (2020) defined attitude literally as
“the way that you think and feel about. He equally sees attitudinal as the
attitude that people have.
Sulaiman, M.T. (2019) gave the technical
definition of attitude and its categories. According to him, attitude can be
defined as:
Positive or negative feelings or dispositions to
object, person, issues, institutions or event in the society.
The above definition clarifies that people
feelings about other people, issues, institutions, events etc constitutes what
attitudes stand for. This implies therefore that, he major efforts in this
paper at the end of the day is to device a means of influencing peoples
attitudinal reform towards a positive direction with the aid of Da’wah
activities.
Sulaiman categorized attitude into:
i. Behavioural Attitude: this according to him includes people way of
life such as punctuality, care for properly, respect for elders etc.
ii. Procedural Attitude: this involves observing normal and legal
procedure in life such as rule of law and many others.
iii. Substantive Attitude: this majority affects the conscience of the
society in controlling behaviours of individuals or citizens such as
condemnation of raping, dishonesty among others.
The categorization of the attitude into types
will serve as a guide to the expectations that people’s reaction to every
situation differently including the Da’wah activities.
Attitudinal reform which is synonymous to
attitudinal change implies in the context of this paper the need for a
reformation or change of feelings, attitudes, reactions and treatments of
situations and issues about Nigeria and Nigerians. There are available and
abundant evidences that proves the need to guide Nigerians to the promised land
through rigorous Da’wah activities. Some of these prevalent
evidences include; corruption of different categories and mismanagement of
Nigerian resources. Nigerian leaders at different times have observed bad
attitude among Nigerians and condemned them. While describing the devastative
nature of Nigeria as a result of indiscipline and corruption, Illori (1994)
observed that:
The military men, after coming back into government, realized that
the terrible evils of indiscipline, lack of faith and commitment, and
corruption have eaten deep to the core of the Nigerian nation and rendered her
citizens economically and morally bankrupt almost completely devoid of decency,
civic consciousness and patriotism.
The situations mentioned in the above quotation
such as indiscipline, lack of faith, corruption, moral bankruptcy and indecency
requires the attention of Du’at. People need to be reminded
regularly that, they are duty bound to Almighty Allah in their various services
to humanity. They also need a reminder on a regular basis on the temporal
nature of life on earth.
It appears the current situation of Nigeria is
determined by the poor foundation upon which the Nigerian is laid as long ago
observed General Olusegun Obasanjo in his 1977 Jaji declaration quoted Illori
(1994) when he says that:
The major cause of the ills of the society is the sandy and shaky
foundation on which we tried to build the society through the colonial days by
discarding the good part of our traditional society. We then got caught up in
the conflict of culture, of trying to graft the so-called sophistication of
European society to African society. The results so far hve been abysmal
failure. We are betwixt between.
In a related development, former President Shehu
Shagari in the same page in Illori blamed the breakdown of moral in Nigeria on
the break-down of traditional values, cultural adulteration through western
education, loss of confidence in traditional institutions compared to flashy,
but mainly irrelevant foreign ones. These are some of the testimonies about the
Nigerian attitudes towards the country and the state of the nation due to
pressures from both national and international influences.
Base on the above submissions and evidences on
the corruptive and adulterated attitudes among Nigerians irrespective of
religions, one of the best ways to reduce or possibly eliminate the negative
attitudes and reform the attitudes is through Da’wah activities.
People are reminded through the Da’wah activities that, the
entire life of a man and his activities are meant for Ibadah and
must therefore be dedicated to Almighty Allah. The glorious Qur’an mention
that:
﴿وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ﴾
I created the Jinn and Humans for nothing else but that, they may
worship me (Qur’an 51: 56).
The above Qur’anic verse is a divine
confirmation of the duty of man on earth. Man is here to serve Allah (SWT)
alone through exhibition of good work of Ibadah and attitudes
and avoidance or elimination of bad ones. The best way to come forth with all
these characters and characteristics among people is through calling to Allah
(SWT) which is Da’wah.
In addition to above, some other specific
significance of Da’wah are as follows:
1. It guides Muslims towards perfecting their general understanding
of the teachings Islam. This is because Da’wah provides avenue
for reminding Muslims what they know. Adjustments are therefore made where
necessary.
2. It is a means by which converts are gain for Islam. Non-Muslims
are assisted through Da’wah to better understand Islam and to embrace it.
3. Da’wah trains Muslim to endure and
persevere. In the process of Da’wah, a Muslim Da'i usually
passes through hard experiences such as hatred among people, time, energy and
resource utilization in the process of Da’wah demands a lot of
patience and other sacrifices. These sacrifices are great sources of training
for the Muslims involved in the Da’wah activities.
4. Da’wah is an act of Ibadah and
attracts rewards from Almighty Allah. Many Qur'anic verses and
ahadith of the prophet (SAW) earlier quoted in this paper are enough to prove
this situation.
5. It is a means by which beauty of Islam are displayed to the
people. The notion that Muslim Du’ats are terrorists or
fanatics can be cleared through Da’wah activities. These are
just few among the lots of significance of Da’wah in Islam.
Conclusion
This is paper has succeeded in discussing Da’wah in
Islam and its significance in the life of the Muslims. The literal as well as
technical meanings of the concept of Da’wah were treated in
the paper. The paper also examined the concept of Da'wah as
obtainable in the Glorious Qur'an and Sunnah of the prophet
(SAW). The concept of Da'i and his characteristics were
outlined in the paper. Dimensions of Da’wah are changing with
time due to advances in technology. It is in this regard that, the paper also
explained the methodologies of Da’wah in the contemporary time
and the significance of Da’wah to the attitudinal reform among
Nigerians. The paper was concluded with recommendations on how to improve Da’wah activities
among Muslims in particular and Nigerians in general.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are made in the
interest of Da’wah among Muslims and the efforts of
Muslim Du’at in general. They are as follow:
1. Du’at must emulate the exemplary
life of the Prophet (SAW) to succeed in their Da’wah activities.
2. Muslims should stop dividing or categorizing themselves into
groups. They must strive to eliminate their differences and remain united. If
this measure is not taken, then the impact of Da'wah may never
be felt among people.
3. Leaders of Muslim groups should stop using Da'wah as
a means to instigate their group against other Muslim groups. This is
applicable to a situation where Muslims refuse to be united.
4. Wealthy individuals among Muslims should be encouraged to
contribute financially to like course of Da'wah.
5. Muslim scholars should try to avoid unnecessary enmity among
themselves for the purpose of worldly things.
With these recommendations are put into use by Muslim Du’at,
Da'wah activities will progress among Muslims in particular and
Nigerians in general.
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