Introduction To Da'wah Part IV

 Allaah’s Curse

In order to stress the gravity of da‘wah as a duty on Muslims, Allaah warned those who did not fulfill their responsibility in this regard of His curse and the curse of all His creatures.


 




إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَآ أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَى مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاه لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ أُولَئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللاَعِنُونَ
“Indeed those who hide the clear messages and guidance that I have revealed after I have made it clear to people in the scripture; those are cursed by Allaah and cursed by all who curse.”
Soorah al-Baqarah, (2): 159The Prophet (pbuh) further stressed the gravity of the sin of hiding knowledge saying:



مَنْ كَتَمَ عِلْمًا مِمَّا يَنْفَعُ اللَّهُ بِهِ فِي أَمْرِ النَّاسِ أَمْرِ الدِّينِ أَلْجَمَهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِلِجَامٍ مِنْ النَّارِ
“Whoever hides knowledge by which Allaah benefits people in their affairs of religion, Allaah will bridle him on the Day of Resurrection with a bridle from the Hellfire.” To have knowledge of Islaam but not convey it to others constitutes “hiding knowledge.” Hiding knowledge may be a deliberate act wherein a person has the intention to keep the knowledge away from other people. This may occur in cases where people are asked about Islaam but refuse to reveal its teachings due to racial or tribal concerns. For example, in years past, some Indians of Guyanese or Trinidadian origin refused to teach African Guyanese and African Trinidadians due to their racist belief that Islaam was only for Indians. Likewise, some African Americans following the racist doctrines of the “Nation of Islam” or influenced by them have refused to explain Islaam to European Americans as they considered them to be devils or simply the enemy. Hiding knowledge may also be a passive unintentional act whereby a person has the knowledge but neglects to convey it due to reasons of shyness or feelings of inferiority. An example of passive hiding of knowledge may be found in the case of many immigrant Muslims who live, study, and work among non-Muslims for many years without ever saying a single word to them about Islaam.