The Requirements for those Calling to Allâh Almighty and Books that Explain Them

Question :

The Requirements for those Calling to Allâh Almighty and Books that Explain Themto be met for one who wants to call to Allâh Almighty? Also, please mention some books that discuss this topic.

Answer:

First, a successful Da'wah is one wherein the caller invites to Allah Almighty using knowledge and insight. Allah Almighty said:
"And who is better in speech than he who invited to Allah, and did righteous deeds, and said: 'I am one of the Muslims."

And He said:
"Say (O Muhammad): This is my way; I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me with sure knowledge."

Second, the correct view is that the principles of a successful Da'wah are derived from the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger, the application of the Companions, the generation after them, and of the generation after them.

Third, some of the conditions necessary for the one who invites to Allâh are mentioned by Allâh in the story of Shu'ayb:
"He said: O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear evidence from my Lord, and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself (shall I corrupt it by mixing it with the unlawfully earned money). I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you. I only desire reform as far as I am able, to the best of my power.
And my guidance cannot come except from Allah, in Him I trust and unto Him I repent".

This Verse explains that the conditions are knowledge, lawfully earned sustenance, and application of what one is calling to.

So, one stays away from what Allah has prohibited, and adheres to the Orders of Allah, with a good intention and leaving the entire matter up to Allah Almighty, depending upon Him, with the awareness that He is the One in Whose Hand is the inspiration, as well as the facilitation, to do what is right. Some other conditions that the caller must meet are mentioned by Allah in His Saying:
"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better."
As well as patience, for He said:
"And endure you patiently, your patience is not but from Allah."

"And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e., your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, and doing other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face; and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and who follows his own lusts, and whose affair (deeds) has been lost. "[21

Fourth, as for the books that deal with this topic, the Noble Qur'an is replete with wisdom that guides the caller to Islam. You should therefore read it, reflect upon its meanings, apply its precepts, and invite others to apply those precepts. You should read the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah because his Sunnah explains the Qur'an. Some books of Sunnah the Sahihs of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Muwatta Malik, Musnad Al-Imam Ahmad, and the Sunans of Abu Dawud, At-Tirmithi, An-Nasa'i, and Imam bin Majah. We also recommend for you to read the books of Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, and Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Wahhab and his followers.