Praise be to Allah. We glorify Him and seek His Help and Forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and the bad consequences of our deeds. Those whom Allah guides, there is none that can lead [them] astray; and those whom Allah leads astray, there is none that can guide [them]. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone without any partner. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet of Allah, his family, his Companions, whoever follows his way and whoever is guided by his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
I would like to thank the officials of the Muslim League for inviting me to participate in the cultural season of 1391 A.H.
I ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to benefit Muslims with this [cultural] season, give success to the efforts of the organizers, and reward them much. Allah is the Best One to be asked.
The officials of the League suggested that I speak about the impact of Da`wah (calling others to Allah) on the spread of Islam. I accepted their suggestion; thus, the title of the lecture is "The Merits of Da`wah". This lecture has two parts; First: The merits of Da`wah. Second: The impact of Da`wah on the spread of Islam.
He who has the least knowledge knows that Da`wah is very significant and it is the duty of all prophets and messengers (may peace be upon them all). The messengers and prophets
are the leaders in this matter; as it is their main task. Allah (may He be Exalted and Glorified) sent them to call people and guide them to the right [path]. It is enough honor for Da`wah that it is the job of the messengers and their followers until the Day of Judgment. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in His Glorious Book,
And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh)."
In this honorable verse, Allah (Exalted be He) clarifies that all the messengers were sent for this great aim i.e. calling people to worship Allah Alone and avoid worshipping Taghut.
This means that they were sent to call people to dedicate [all forms of] worship to Allah only and to free people from worshipping Taghut (false gods) and bring them to the worship of Allah Alone.
The word Taghut refers to all false icons taken as Gods such as trees, stones and the likes that are worshipped other than or besides Allah. As for the messengers, angels and righteous persons who are worshipped [other than or besides Allah], they are not called Taghut. In this case, Taghut is the Satan who calls and tempts people to worship them; as the messengers and righteous people are innocent of those who worship them.
Hence, Taghut is all that is worshipped other than Allah of inanimate beings and people who accept to be worshipped, such as Pharaoh and those like him. Those who reject such worship are not considered Taghut; as Taghut [in this case] is the Satan who calls and tempts people to worship other than or besides Allah.
Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allâh after the (coming of) Messengers.
In this honorable verse, Allah (Exalted be He) clarifies that all messengers were sent as bearers of good news and warners [to the people]. They gave the glad tidings to those who obeyed them that they would receive victory, support, Paradise, and dignity. Also, they warned those who disobeyed them of disappointment, regret and HellFire.
They were sent to establish the proof, so that people would have no excuse or would not say, "There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no warner". Allah (Exalted be He) sent messengers and prophets to establish the proof, take away all excuses, guide people, clarify the truth, show people the means of salvation, and warn them against the means of destruction. Hence, they (may peace be upon them all) are truly the best people for