The interview of `Ukazh newspaper with His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul`Aziz Ibn Baz
Q 1: Would you please clarify the ruling on and the merits of observing Da`wah (call to Islam) to Allah (Exalted be He)?
A 1: The ruling on this is from the evidence found in the Qur'an and Sunnah (whatever reported from the Prophet), which indicate that it is obligatory to observe Da`wah to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) since it is one of the Fara'id [pl. of Faridah; (obligatory act)]. There are many proofs for this. For example, Allah (Glorified be He) says, Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining AlMa'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding AlMunkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.
Allah (Exalted be He) also says: Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴـﻪ ﻭ ﺳـﻠﻢ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. and: and invite (men) to (believe in) your Lord and be not of AlMushrikûn (those who associate partners with Allâh, e.g. polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allâh and deny the Prophethood of Messenger Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ). and: Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭ ﺳﻠﻢ): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism with sure knowledge).
Allah (Glorified be He) clearly declares that the followers of the Messenger (peace be upon him) are those who call to Allah (Exalted be He). They are the people of wisdom. Accordingly, as it is known, we must follow him and adopt his path (peace be upon him) as Allah (Exalted be He) says: Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much.