The Da’wah To Islam by Sheikh Ahmad Mahmoud

Let us consider for a while an important rule from the rules of the method, that is, the seeking of the Nusrah. Let us slowly re-examine it so as to deduce what we need to follow, especially since there are people who are working to establish the Islamic State, but do not give the Nusrah the slightest attention. They do this as if it is a periphiral matter, which carries no weight, or as if its isnad (chain of narration) is weak, and so should not be taken. They did not stop here, but went on to attack this rule and those who engaged in it, even though all the biographies of the Prophet 􀁕 addressed this subject, with only a few minor differences in the details, which are not worth mentioning. The authors of the Sirah were not affiliated to any of the groups we know today, but despite this they discussed this subject. The Qur’an itself has mentioned those who; “gave help” [TMQ 8:72], and called them the, “Ansaar (Helpers)” [TMQ 9:100]. It is a description of praise and a description of the most prominent aspect by which they were characterised.

The one who examines the Sirah will see the Messenger 􀁕 sought the Nusrah from the chiefs who possessed power. He did this despite the ugly response from one tribe to another. He insisted on seeking the Nusrah and repeated this many times, and did not cease in seeking it. In his Tabaqaat, Ibn Sa’d mentioned no less than fifteen tribes (that the Messenger visited). This persistence, if it indicates anything, it indicates in a clear manner that seeking the Nusrah was an order from Allah 􀀬 to the Prophet 􀁕 to do.

The fact that the Qur’an called those people who responded as, “Ansaar” is another evidence. The Qur’an praised them in more than one place, and Allah 􀀬 turned to them with forgiveness. Their status follows directly that of the, “Muhajiroon” (emigrants).

The wording contained in the text regarding the seeking of Nusrah indicates seeking Nusrah is a Shar’ee rule. That is why the Messenger 􀁕 used to say; “O so and so tribe. I am the Rasool of Allah sent to you. He orders that you worship Allah and not associte partners with Him . . . and that you believe in me, and put your trust in me, and support me until I clarify to you what Allah 􀀬 has sent me with.” [Sirah of Ibn Hisham]. Here is a command from Allah 􀀬 and His Messenger 􀁕 and we know the command is a Shar’ee rule, for which the appropriate styles should be adopted in order to implement it. It is not, by itself, a mere style (that can be substituted).

Furthermore, the discussions that took place between the Messenger 􀁕 and those from whom he sought the Nusrah, as well as the discussions between himself and those who gave him the bai’ah (pledge) in the second meeting in ‘Aqabah; all these indicate clearly that the Messenger 􀁕 targeted from this action - which he insisted on pursuing - to establish this deen, and establish the entity which protects, applies and spreads the deen. So how can we neglect it, when through this rule the face of the da’wah changed, and carried it to a dar (homeland) that applies and spreads it. For whose interest is this neglect made?

- The Kuffar understood that behind this work was a pledge and triumph of this deen. Hence we see the tribe of Banu ‘Aamir b. Sa’sa’ah understood the matter to be related to power. Look at the Kuffar of Makkah becoming enraged when they heard about the second pledge of ‘Aqabah. They said; “O people of Khazraj! The news has reached us that you have come to our companion, and you are taking him from amongst us, and giving him the pledge to fight against us.” We see the Shaytan screaming at the top of his voice after the second bai’ah of ‘Aqabah had taken place, by saying; “O people of Akhashib. Would you like that Muhammad and the sabians gather on your fight.” During the second pledge of al-’Aqabah al-Barra said; “We give our allegiance, O Rasool of Allah, by Allah we are men of war and people of arms.” And Abu al-Haytham b. Tayhan said: “O Rasool of Allah, we have ties with other men (meaning the Jews) and if we sever them, perhaps when we have done that and Allah will have given you victory, you will return to your people and leave us?” As’ad b. Zurarah said: “Taking him today (from Makkah) is a challenge to all the arabs, slaughter of your notables, and the swords biting you.” And the words of al-’Abbas b. ‘Ubadah: “If you liked, we are ready to turn against the people of Mina with our swords.” The Messenger of Allah 􀁕 in response to Abul-Haytham said:

“No, blood is blood, and blood is paid for only by blood. I am of you and you are of me. I will fight against those whom you fight, and make peace with whom you make peace.” See ‘Aisha, and what she said about the Messenger 􀁕, that he 􀁕 found himself content that Allah 􀀬 granted him support and a people of war, weapons and support.

Observe Ibn Hisham speak about the Messenger 􀁕, regarding the subject of seeking Nusrah: “When Allah 􀀬 wanted to strengthen His Prophet and support His deen, He led him (ie the prophet) to this folk from the Ansaar.” These expressions provide clear indication on the importance of this rule, and prevent turning their meaning to indicate that if one is invited to Islam and he responds, then he has supported the deen. Expressions such as bai’ah, izhaar ud deen (granting victory to the deen); Nasr (support), war; that the notables will be killed; swords will bite them; that this will go against all the arabs; that they should protect him as they protect their women and children; all of these expressions make us understand the manner in which the Messenger 􀁕 sought the Nusrah; that he sought it for the purpose of protection, even if this entailed the use of force to convey the deen; and he sought it to establish the State which will protect the deen and its followers, as well as apply its rules and convey its message to the world.

In this context one notices the Messenger 􀁕 did the following things:

- He sought the protection and help to protect individuals and protect the da’wah. This is sought even from the Mushriks (polytheists) as happened with his uncle who protected him and supported him, ie protected him from any harm coming to him. Just as it happened also when Mut’im b. ‘Addi helped the Prophet 􀁕 when he returned from Taa’if. This protection cannot be used to put pressure on the Muslim who is being helped to compromise his deen. The Messenger 􀁕 told his uncle when he asked him to slow down his da’wah; “By Allah, O uncle! If they had placed the sun in my right hand and the moon on my left, that I should leave this matter, I would not leave it until Allah makes it victorious or I die in its defence.” [Sirah of Ibn Hisham] - The Messenger 􀁕 used to contact the leaders wishing that they would profess Imaan, in the hope that those behind them would also profess Imaan. He did this in order to make the da’wah easier to spread and make it more acceptable. This also contributes greatly in the creation of the popular base (qaa’idah sha’biyyah).

- The Messenger 􀁕 sought Nusrah and protection from the people of power and he stipulated that they embrace Islam first, as happened at the second pledge of al-’Aqabah.

The Nusrah was sought from the people of power. The reality at the time of the Messenger 􀁕 was that it would be sought from the leaders who, in addition to having leadership, had popular power. The leader at that time was also the ruler; he was also the military leader, and he was the same person to whose opinion the people would return.

As for today the ruler posseses the power by force and he has lost the popularity. The popularity one may see is mostly not true. Here we are obliged to do what the Messenger 􀁕 did, so we must contact those people who are influential in society to open the door for those who are behind them, and to secure the popular base. We must seek the Nusrah from the people of power, like the army officers, in order to reach the power.

When the harm to the group members intensifies, there is nothing wrong in seeking the help from their friends and relatives, on condition that this does not put pressure or compromise the Imaan of the individual who is helped. In this manner we would have done what the Messenger 􀁕 undertook, taking into account the reality in which we live.

This is the method that the Messenger 􀁕 followed, and this is the method we are obliged to follow, emulating the actions of the Messenger 􀁕. By doing this we will bring about the following:

1- Shabab who are well prepared, so Islam is established at their hands.

Just as the Messenger 􀁕 prepared the Muhajireen who took up the responsibility of carrying the da’wah in Makkah and establishing the State with the Messenger 􀁕, and leading the Ummah after him.

2- The public opinion for the idea, which emanates from the general awareness, ie generating the popular base which does not accept anything other than Islam as a system of ruling and embraces it when it is established, just as the way it happened with the people of Madinah when they came to want Islam and were ready to protect it.

3- The people of power and protection, via whom we seize the power.

When these matters are prepared, then we would have established the matter on the same path which the Messenger 􀁕 followed. Allah 􀀬 has promised the believers, those who adhere to His Shar’a, with victory, where He 􀀬 said; “(As for) the believers it was incumbant on Us to help (them).” [TMQ 30:47].

He 􀀬 said; “Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.” [TMQ 22:40]. He 􀀬 said; “Allah has promised those among you who believe, and work righteous deeds, that of a certainty He will cause them to accede to power on earth, as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their deen which He has chosen for them, and that He will change (their state) after the fear in which they lived, to one of security and peace: they will worship Me (alone) and not ascribe powers to any beside Me.’ [TMQ 24:55]