Believer’s divine duty

In the name of Almighty Allah, We praise him, seek his help and ask for his forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever he allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(SAW) is his slave-servant and the seal of his messengers.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Islam, there is absolutely no doubt that it is the duty of every believer, who sincerely believes in Almighty Allah and the last day, to invite anyone who wishes to listen to good caution to the truth of Al-Islam. The Almighty Allah says in the holy Quran: Chapter 16, Surah An-Nahl Ayat 125: Invite to the way of your lord with wisdom and excellent admonition and argue with people in the best manner. Your lord knows best who has gone astray from H
his way and who is rightly guided.
How best to invite one to Islam is a very wide and varied question. It all depends whether the person is a friend or a foe, a neighbour or an acquaintance, a colleague or your boss, etc. One of the best ways is to first and foremost be a very good muslim practitioner yourself, and convince the person with your character and high morals that Islam is indeed the religion of truth. Another good way is to talk to the person about his religion, and give him logical arguments about the truth and falsehood. And according to our humble experience, if you can get the person to read the holy Quran with understanding, and the person reads the Quran without any bias or prejudice, seeking to find the truth; Allah will Insha Allah guide him aright.
Your duty is only to invite the person to Islam. To guide, or leave astray is in the sole power and domain of Allah the Almighty. He alone knows who vouches for truthfulness and who is bent on living a life of mis-guidance. Millions of people have converted to Islam over the years all over the world. I know about one who converted to Islam because he saw his muslim friend praying, and was inspired! I know of a sister who converted to Islam because her friend used to wear the hijaab and she was impressed by her high morals. I know of a brother who converted to Islam because he was dis-satisfied with the religion he was practicing and began searching for the truth. I know of many brothers and sisters who converted to Islam, simply by reading and understanding the glorious Quran. Each of them has a different reason, and you never know what might inspire others to search for the Truth.
Indeed, time and modes of communications might have changed drastically; but the basics of man and his nature has not changed since the times of Prophet Adam (a.s.)! Man is constantly in search for peace, with himself and with his surroundings; and he plays trial and error with every method that comes his way! Islam is the only way of Life approved by the one who created life; and there is no other way for man to achieve the contentment and peace he is so desperately looking for.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 13 Surah Raad verse 28-29:The people who have accepted (the Message), their hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Note it well!, that is Allah’s remembrance alone brings contentment to the hearts! Blessed are those who have accepted the message and done righteous deeds. They will have a good end.
The Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Al Maidah verse 3:Today I (Allah) have perfected your deen for you and completed my blessings upon you and approved Islam as your way of life. Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imran verse 19:Indeed, Islam is the only right way of life in the sight of Allah.
As an individual, a believer should adopt every means available to him to invite people to Al-Islam; starting first and foremost with the implementation of Islam upon himself and his family. Allah the Almighty will judge each person individually according to the deeds he did in his capacity. It does not behave the justice of the Majestic Lord to hold a simple gardener responsible for not starting a satellite Islamic television for the propagation of Islam! Every muslim has a duty to do dawah according to the means available to him. If Allah has blessed a muslim to be a ruler of a muslim nation, he will be held accountable for his deeds from a different perspective than the one who is a gardener! It is the duty of every muslim to realize and comprehend the position Allah the Almighty has given him, for he will be held to account for his deeds on a day that is Inevitable.
May Almighty Allah bless our efforts in helping others understand and accept Islam as the religion of truth! May Allah reward us generously for our intentions, and give us success in our efforts in the propagation of his deen. Whatever written of truth and benefit is only due to Allahs assistance and guidance, and whatever of error is of me. The Almighty Allah alone knows best and he is the only source of strength.
(The author’s views are personal)