Introduction to Daʿwah in Islam

Daʿwah means 'issuing a summons' or 'making an invitation'.

A person practicing daʿwah is called a dāʿī.

The plural of daʿwah is duʿāh.

Daʿwah has no specific purpose in Islamic theology.

Daʿwah is considered a modern invention in Islamic thought.

In the Qur'an, daʿwah can refer to Allah's invitation to live according to His will.

All Muslims must actively engage in daʿwah as part of their religious duties.

Daʿwah was used interchangeably with sharī‘a and dīn in the early centuries of Islam.

The primary audience of daʿwah is exclusively non-Muslims.

The message of the Qur'an preaches polytheism.

Etymology and Definition

Daʿwah (دعوة) translates to "invitation" and can also mean "issuing a summons."
The root of the term is d-ʕ-w (د-ع-و), meaning "to summon" or "to invite."
Practitioners of daʿwah are called dāʿīs (داعي), with plural duʿāh (دعاة).
Dāʿīs engage in inviting others to understand Islam through dialogue and education.

Historical Context

In the Qur'an, daʿwah has broader implications, such as the call to resurrection on the Day of Judgment (sura 30:25).
Early interpretations of daʿwah included the message of Allah and were often equated with sharī‘a and dīn (religion).
Encouragement of fellow Muslims in following piety is considered a core aspect of modern daʿwah.

Purpose

Daʿwah aims to invite both Muslims and non-Muslims to comprehend the worship of God as represented in the Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him).
It serves as a vehicle for sharing the message of monotheism and the principles laid out in the Qur'an.
Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) initiated daʿwah to spread Islam globally, viewing his mission as universal rather than limited to a specific community.
He actively communicated with non-Muslim leaders to promote conversion to Islam, thereby expanding the reach of his teachings.

This quiz explores the concept of Daʿwah, or the invitation to Islam. Discover the etymology, significance, and role of a dāʿī in the practice of inviting others to the faith. Test your understanding of the various aspects of this important Islamic practice.