A Daa'iyah, Except in One's Own Family - I
16/03/2011| IslamWeb
This is how he is and it is clear to everyone.
From the rise of dawn to the fall of night, the Daa'iyah (caller to Islam) is out of his home, ardently fervent for his religion. He is eager to do anything to serve the religion of Allah The Almighty. He wishes he could change the world. This is his main concern.
That is also the main concern of our Daa‘iyah sister: she is as active as a bee, moving from one lesson to another, from one circle of teaching Quran to a gathering of Thikr (remembrance). She always does what is good.
But let us raise the following question to you, both Daa‘iyah brother and sister:
What is the share of your children in this Da‘wah (call) to Allah?
Dear caregiver,
It is true that you spend your time, effort and money in the cause of Allah The Almighty, and in the way of Da‘wah to Allah The Almighty, but where is the share of your child from that vocation? Dear caregiver, this fact is painful. We see the children of those who abide by Islamic teachings -- Daa’iyahs and scholars (save those upon whom Allah The Almighty has mercy) -- smoking, cursing, abusing, insulting, and uttering obscene words. They neither pray nor memorize the Quran, nor even attend gatherings of religious knowledge.
How disastrous it is to see children of the Daa’iyahs, the best of people, in such a state. It is an amazing contradiction between what we call for and how we and our children live. This contradiction deprives us of credibility, displeases Allah The Almighty, and contradicts our method which we call others to abide by, that is: "Each of you is a guardian and responsible for those under his care."
{And warn[O Muhammad] your closest kindred} [Quran 26:214] is a clear method for the leader of the Messengers, 
.
Dear caregiver and Daa‘iyah, your ideal, the leader of Daa’iyahs, Prophet Muhammad, , started his call first with his closest kin, in response to the command of Allah The Almighty (that means): {And warn, [O Muhammad], your closest kindred.} [Quran 26:214] One's relative is the one dearest to us, then, how do we withhold religious advice from our dearest ones, especially such advice that is the best gift for every dear one?
Observing the right of kinship and family relations requires the Daa‘iyah to play a great role within his family, kindred and children. If he indulges in calling them and neglects guiding them, let him then reconsider whether he is true to his love for them, and be cautious of incurring the wrath of Allah The Almighty Who Says in His Book (what means): {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.} [Quran 66:6]
Dear Daa‘iyah, your role with your family and children is obligatory on you, but do not care too much about the outcome, for it is your duty only to warn, lest you would be raised as being negligent on the Day of Judgment.
Dear caregiver and Daa‘iyah, put the following verse before you in which Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And warn, [O Muhammad], your closest kindred} [Quran 26:214] To obey the command in this verse, the Prophet, , suffered a great deal, and was driven out of Makkah, the dearest of homelands to him.
It is narrated that when the following was revealed: {And warn, [O Muhammad], your closest kindred} [Quran 26:214] the Messenger of Allah, , went out, ascended Mount Safa, and shouted: "O Sabaahah! (be on your guard)" The people said, "Who is that?" Then they gathered around him, whereupon he said: "Do you see if I inform you that cavalrymen are coming up the side of this mountain, will you believe me?" They said, "We have never known you to be a liar." Then he said: "I am for you a warner in the face of severe punishment." On that Abu Lahab said, "May you be ruined! It is only for this that you have gathered us?" On that Allah The Almighty Revealed (what means): {May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined and ruined is he.}[Quran 111:1]
Nooh (Noah), may Allah exalt his mention, was a Daa‘iyah at home
Dear caregiver and Daa‘iyah, the story of Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention, shows clearly how he was ardently fervent for his son.
Even at the last moment, and after he realized that he would be among the ruined, Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention, tried his best and spared no effort in attempting to advise and guide him.
Reflect, dear caregiver, on the Quranic Verse (in which Allah The Almighty Says what means): {And it sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called to his son who was apart [from them], "O my son, come aboard with us and be not with the disbelievers."} [Quran 11:42]
Dear caregiver, guidance is a lifeboat, so, do not ride it alone, but take care to save your child just as Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention, cared to save his son.
How do you engage in guiding all the people and yet fail to care about guiding the closest one to you -- your child who is a part of you and you are part of him? How do you regard your child taking refuge with evil companions, thinking that salvation and prosperity are with them? Why do you not do like Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention: {[But] he said, "I will take refuge on a mountain to protect me from the water." [Noah] said, "There is no protector today from the decree of Allah, except for whom He gives mercy." And the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned.} [Quran 11:43]
Dear caregiver and Daa‘iyah, you have to shoulder your responsibility towards your child before he goes astray in the oceans of darkness: {And it was said, "O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain]." And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Joodiyy. And it was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people."} [Quran 11:44]
Dear caregiver, you are the disciple of Muhammad, and the grandson of Nooh, may Allah exalt his mention.
Now, dear caregiver, let us do our best to rear our children the way we should, sparing no time or effort in this respect.