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The Dawah Encounter: A Story of Faith and Conviction

"I am practicing three religions." He spoke with conviction, his voice unwavering. It was as if he had finally found a sense of belonging, of being, amidst apparent contradictions. This was one of the encounters I recall vividly from our recent Rural Dawah Programme, where we went to propagate Islam. As we stood in front of him, I could not help but wonder, how does one practice three religions simultaneously? Was it a sign of spiritual curiosity, or a desperate attempt to find meaning? The questions lingered, and then the man's story unfolded, offering some insight into his spiritual journey.

The man's name is Abeeb. Born into a Muslim family, he became disillusioned with the rigidity of his faith. He was not drawn to the spiritual aspects of Islam in his youth, but bore an Islamic name. As he grew older, he travelled to the east in search of better opportunities and found himself among Christians and decided to join them. His spiritual exploration did not stop there. Upon returning home after several years, he became a hunter in his neighborhood and began worshiping local gods.

When asked how he reconciles the differences between the three faiths, he smiled and said, "I don't see them as mutually exclusive. Each one offers a unique perspective, a different lens through which to view the world."

Apparently, Abeeb did not have a sound background and knowledge of Islam. If Islamic preaching had reached him at an early stage of his disconnection, the situation might have been prevented.

The fact is that many of us think or believe that Dawah is only meant for non-Muslims, whereas the first target of Dawah should be Muslims – those who have been practicing but are not consistent and steadfast. Some Muslims need Dawah to awaken and rekindle their faith in Allah as the only one worthy of worship.

In fact, the concept of "practicing" or "being committed" to Islam is not limited to external actions but also requires inward commitment and adherence to Islamic beliefs and values. Therefore, practicing multiple religions would be seen as a contradiction to this inward commitment.

Islamic scholars strictly adhere to the Quran and Hadith, which emphasize the oneness of God (Tawhid) and the importance of following the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In Islam, it is not permissible for a Muslim to practice multiple religions simultaneously, as this would be considered a form of polytheism (Shirk) and a rejection of the fundamental principles of Islam.

The Quran explicitly states that a person cannot be a believer in Islam while also following other religions (Quran 2:216, 3:85, 5:72). Islamic scholars have consistently interpreted these verses to mean that a Muslim must adhere exclusively to the teachings of Islam and not combine them with those of other faiths.

In his book, "A Manual of Dawah," AbdulFattah Ibn Raji states the importance of Dawah in Islam, citing the story of the creation of Adam. He notes that human beings are gifted with special qualities, which help them exercise their freedom of choice. Firstly, human beings are gifted with senses, common to all living things, but they are able to utilize them in the best way. Secondly, and most importantly, Allah has bestowed upon them rational faculty.

On the basis of reason and intellect, human beings can analyze the information provided by the senses, make decisions, and use their imaginative ability to think and draw conclusions through intellectual exercise. These qualities of human beings make Dawah exercises imperative among Muslims.

In conclusion, as Allah says in the Quran (41:33), "Who is better in speech than one who calls (people) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, 'I am of those who bow in Islam?'"

Brothers and sisters, let us endeavor to make Dawah an integral part of our duties as Muslims. Let us be discerning in our interactions and approach with people of other faiths, as said in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256): "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks, and God hears and knows all things."