Obligation of witnessing to mankind by the Muslim Ummah is explained in the light of Quran and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (SAW)

2. And thus We have made you a community of the
middle way, so that you may be witnesses [to the
Truth] before all mankind, and the Messenger may be
witness [to it] before you (al-Baqarah 2: 143)
O believers, be ever steadfast in standing up, for the
sake of God, bearing witness to justice (al-Ma'idah 5:
8)

3. • You have been given Divine guidance,
• You have been shown the Truth.
• You must, therefore, establish by your testimony
and witness its authenticity and truthfulness
before all mankind
• Messengers were sent to the world; this was their
primary duty.
• After them, their followers were entrusted with
the same duty

4. • Man has been made accountable for his conduct
• He will be rewarded and punished in the Hereafter
under the Divine Law which rests entirely on this
witness.
• We sent all Messengers as heralds of glad tidings and
as warners, so that men may not have any argument
against God, after [the coming of] these Messengers;
God is indeed All-mighty, All-wise (al-Nisa' 4: 165)

5. • Ummah has the same crucial role and
responsibility as the Prophets
• If the Ummah properly fulfills its duty of witnessing
to the Truth and yet the people do not pay heed, it
will be rewarded and the people will be brought to
account
• If the Ummah neglects its duty, or if it gives false
witness, it will deserve to be punished more
severely than the people
• Ummah shall be accountable not only for its own
misdeeds, but also for the misdeeds of those who
went astray

6. • Why has man been placed on earth?
• We have made all that is on earth an adornment for
it, and so that we might test which of them is best in
conduct (al-Kahf 18: 7)
• What is the meaning and purpose of man's life?
• And I have not created Jinn and mankind except to
serve and worship Me. I desire of them no
provision, neither do I desire that they should feed Me
(al-Dhariyat 51: 5S7)

7. • Man's earthly life must be judged. He must give an
account of his conduct, and he must face the
consequences of how he lives his life
• And We shall set up just balance-scales on Resurrection
Day, and no human being shall be wronged anything;
even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, We shall
bring it forth, and sufficient are We as reckoners (al-
Anbiya' 21: 47)

8. • Through our speech and writing, we should
proclaim and explain Islam to the world
• Islam gives complete guidance in thought and
belief, in morality, in culture and civilization, in
economics and business, in jurisprudence and
judiciary, in politics and civil administration
• We must establish its truth and soundness, by
rational discourse and convincing evidence
• We must commit all our hearts and minds, all of
our resources, to this cause

9. • Warning (indhar)
• Bringing glad tidings (tabshir)
• Inviting and calling (da'wah)
• Communicating (tabligh)
• Teaching and instructing (ta'lim)
• Conveying and propagating (tilawah).

10. • Let our lives speak the truth
• Let the world taste in our conduct, individual and
collective, that sweetness which only the faith in
One God can impart to character and morality
• Our actions must show how every aspect of life is
set right, developed and enriched
• Principles and teachings which Islam proclaims to
be true are indeed true, and that they do improve
the quality of human life and raise it to better and
higher levels.

11. • Establishing Islam (Iqamatu 'd-din)
• Making God's guidance and way of life prevail over
all others (Izhar)
• Establishing justice (Qist)
• Enjoining right and forbidding wrong (Amar Bil
Maroof and Nahi Anil Munkar)
• Jihad or struggle

12. • Our Word-witness
• Witness of our landlords- The Islamic law of
inheritance is wrong
• Witness of our lawyers and judges- All the laws of
Islam are bad laws, and that their very basis the
sovereignty of God is unacceptable
• Witness of our teachers-Only true and valid knowledge
is that derived from the secular view
• Witness of our writers- their literature has the same
message to impart as that of the secular writers
• Witness of our media-best standards of
communication are those which bear the hallmark of
the secular media.

13. • Life of a typical, ordinary Muslim-in respect of all
immoral actions, the level of Muslim 'performance' is
no less than that of any secular person
• Witness of our social life-our customs, our
festivities, our fairs, religious gatherings, our
meetings, processions: in no aspect do we truly
represent Islam
• Our educational institutions- import everything from
secular models
• When we launch a struggle, our cause, our slogans and
demands, our issues and debates, our programs and
procedures, our resolutions, statements, and

14. • We are guilty of giving false witness, of perjury and
concealing the truth
• We are facing precisely the same punishment that
has been prescribed in the Law of God for such
grave crime
• When a people reject and turn away from God's
guidance, when they are guilty of disloyalty to their
Creator, and when they turn traitors to Him, then
God punishes them severely in this world as well as
in the world-to-come

15. • And who is a greater wrong-doer than he who
suppresses a witness entrusted to him by God (al-
Baqarah 2: 140)
• Look at the history of the people of Israel. When
given this task, they became witnesses to falsehood
rather than witnesses to the Truth.
And so, humiliation and powerlessness afflicted
them, and they earned God's anger.(2:61)

16. • Those who conceal the clear messages and the guidance
that We have sent down, after We have made them
clear, for mankind, in the Book they shall be cursed by God
and the cursers; (2: 159).
• Indeed, those who conceal what God has sent down in the
Book, and barter it away for a trifle price they eat nothing
but fire in their bellies 2:174

17. • Cursed were the disbelievers among the Children of
Israel by the tongue of David, and Jesus, the son of
Mary; this, because they rebelled [against God] and
persisted in transgression. They did not prevent one
another from the wrongs they committed. Surely evil
were the things they did
(al-Ma'idah 5: 78-9).

18. • You have the Divine guidance. You neither benefit from
it yourselves nor allow others to benefit from it.
• By calling yourselves Muslims, you are Islam's
representatives. The combined witness of your words
and deeds is being given mostly in favor of
materialism, and immorality and against Islam.
•
• O ye who believe! why do you say that which you do
not do? Grievously odious is it in the sight of Allah that
you say that which ye do not do. (Saff,61:2-3)

19. • You have the Book of God with you, but you have
put it on the shelf. In order to seek guidance, you
turn to persons who lead you to Kufr, and to
sources which lead you astray
• You claim to be the servants of the One God, but in
fact you are serving every false god and every
power in rebellion against God.
• You have friends and enemies, but it is always your
personal, selfish interests that determine your
friendship and enmity

20. Answers to this excuse-
• All the commandments of Allah (SWT) are to be
obeyed.
• No one can divide them into necessary and
unnecessary.
• We have pledged to surrender to Allah’s (SWT)
complete obedience.
• Therefore we can not fulfill this pledge by obeying
part of Deen and leaving aside the other part.

21. • This is indeed an objective of this Ummah but present
circumstances are not suitable for it any where. There
is no possibility of its success
• Answers to this excuse
1-Prophets started their work without the discussion of
circumstances or the possibility of success
Therefore expound openly what thou art commanded
and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah.
(Hijr, 14:94)

22. • 2. We are required to make utmost effort for this
obligation even though one person did not accept
his message
• 3. Allah (SWT) has promised his help for those
who engage in the struggle
On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. (Baqarah, 2:286)
Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause); for verily Allah is Full of Strength
Exalted in Might (Able to enforce His Will). Hajj, 22:40

23. • Answers to this excuse:
• 1-It is an obligation from Allah (SWT) and persons
are to fulfill it according to their own abilities and
limitations as is mentioned above
• 2. There is no place for despair or hopelessness
due to our weaknesses or circumstances. We are to
put our trust in Allah (SWT) and carry out our task.
• 3-We are to emulate and follow the examples of
Prophets and companions as the source of
inspiration and not reason for abandoning the
obligation

24. 1- This is an obligation from Allah (SWT) then we can
not delay our action dependent upon someone else’s
action.
2.If other’s performance in this way is less than
ideal, that does not justify for anyone to sit back and
just criticize. We are accountable for our deeds.
So announce the Good News to My Servants. Those who listen to the
Word and follow the best (meaning) in it: those are the ones whom
Allah has guided and those are the ones endued with understanding.
Zumar, 39:17, 18

25. Iman or belief
Ikhlas or
sincerity
Ibadah or
ritual worship
Complete
Obedience to
Allah
Dawah in
Family
Dawah to
Muslims
Dawah Non
Muslims
Organization Empowerment
Sacrifice

26. The Prophet believed in what had been revealed to him from his Lord as do the men
of faith. Each one (of them) believed in Allah His angels His books and His Apostles
"We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Apostles." And
they say: "We hear and we obey; (We seek) Thy forgiveness Our Lord and to Thee is
the end of all journeys.” Baqarah,2: 285
The answer of the Believers when summoned to Allah and His Apostle
in order that He may judge between them is no other than this: they
say "We hear and we obey": it is such as these that will attain felicity.

27. Verily it is we who have revealed the Book to thee in Truth: so serve Allah offering
Him sincere devotion. Zumar, 39:2
Say: Will ye dispute with us about Allah seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord;
that we are responsible for our doings and ye for yours; and that we are sincere (in
our faith) in Him? Baqarah, 2:138
And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah; and
Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees.
(Baqarah, 2: 207)

29. And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah offering Him
sincere devotion being true (in faith); to establish regular Prayer; and to practice
regular Charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight. (Bayyinah, 5:98)
Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad
is His Messenger, that you should perform Salah (ritual prayer), pay the Zakah
(alms), fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah
at Makkah), if you can find a way to it. (Part of Hadith Jibril:Muslim)

30. Verily, Allah has made duties obligatory, so do not neglect them; and
He has set limits, so do not transgress them; and He has remained
silent concerning things as mercy for you, not out of forgetfulness, so
do not search them out. (Al-Daraqutani 4316, Grade: Sahih)

31. O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a
Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones over which are
(appointed) angels stern (and) severe who flinch not (from
executing) the Commands they receive from Allah but do
(precisely) what they are commanded. Tahreem, 66:6
And admonish thy
nearest kinsmen.
(Shu’ara26:214)

33. • Borne in Muslim families or they have reverted to
Islam as their way of life who are unaware of or just
neglecting their Islamic obligations.
• There are others among Muslims who call
themselves progressive and talk about “making
changes in Islam to adjust to modern age”.
• There are those who are loosing their Islamic
character and values and sometimes even basic
beliefs
• It is an obligation upon conscientious Muslims to
remind them of true Islamic teachings and struggle
to keep them on the path of Islam

34. The believer men and women are protectors of one
another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is
evil: they observe regular prayers pay their Zakat and
obey Allah (SWT) and his Prophet (SAW). Allah (SWT)
shall shower his mercy upon them.
Verily, Allah(SWT) is mightiest and wise. Taubah, 9:

35. • Prophet (SAW) said, “When someone amongst you sees
an evil, he should remove it with hand. If he is not able to
do so, then he must speak against it. If he can’t do
that, then he must abhor it in his heart. This is the lowest
level of Iman.” Muslim

36. • There is no better patriotism or loyalty to this land than to
convey the formula of success, Al Islam to our fellow
countrymen.
• As a result of lack of proper divine guidance and imbalanced
thinking, society is facing host of socio economic and moral
problems. Islam has the answers to all these complex
problems.
• If Muslims do not come forward and share the guidance of
Islam to offer the true solutions to these problems, their
generations will eventually be afflicted with same ailments.
• America with its vast land, resources, material and military
power is influencing most of the world. If true guidance of
Islam is not taken here seriously, then it could continue to go
on a downhill course and lead the others same way.

37. • If others in the global community are led astray due to
this negative influence, then Muslims will not be
exonerated if they did not fulfill their responsibility
• If our fellow citizens face the chastisement of Allah
(SWT) on the Day of Judgment for shirk and
atheism, they will have the right to complain that they
were not told about Tauhid, Iman and how to succeed
in the hereafter.
• God forbid, if a chastisement of Allah (SWT) comes
due to following path of His disobedience, then no
one will be spared. Muslims and their generations
living here will be receiving the wrath as well.
• All the Prophets of Allah (SWT) from Noah to
Mohammad (SAW) came to bring people from the
darkness of Kufr and Shirk to the light of Islam. Last
Prophet of Allah (SWT) carried out the same mission.

38. Alif Lam Ra. A Book which We have revealed unto thee in order that
thou might lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light by
the leave of their Lord to the Way of (Him) Exalted in Power Worthy of
all Praise! Ibrahim, 14:1
Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good
enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones
to attain felicity. Ale Imran, 3:104.

39. • Witness to mankind can not be carried out in an
effective way just with individual efforts.
• Those who realize this mission and are willing to
fulfill it must come together in the form of a
Jama’ah or organization.
• That is why we find instructions in Quran and
Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (SAW) stressing upon
Muslims to be united and have their Ameer.
• Ameer is to be obeyed and honored.
• Struggle is to be carried out in a well planned and
methodical way under the guidance of Ameer.

40. O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle
and those charged with authority among you.
(Nisa, 4:59)
And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah
(stretches out for you) and be not divided among
yourselves. Ale Imran, 2:103

41. • Prophet (SAW) said:
• 1.When three of you travel together, make one of
you as your Ameer. (Mishkat)
• 2.Allah’s (SWT) hand is upon the Jama’ah.
• 3.Whoever stayed aloof from this Jama’ah even
equal to one hand, he removed ring of Islam from
his neck. (Tirmizi)

42. • Influence and empowerment are essential elements to exhibit true benefits and
blessings of Islam for the society.
• These are to be achieved through peaceful, methodical, planned steps within the
legal bounds in a democratic society.
• In free democratic society tools of empowerment include :
1. Means of communicating ideas ( media)
2- Academic institutions which develop scholars and intellectuals,
3- Think tanks which come up with new policy ideas good for future of this land,
4- Political action
5- Business and trade institutions,
6- Social service institutions and technology.
Muslims in America have to take all these steps towards empowerment

43. • We must come up with both human and financial
resources to develop academic institutions and
universities like Princeton and Oxford.
• In these institutions, we must have the best minds
both from Muslim and non Muslim community.
• They should study Islam and contemporary
American society
• They should come up with solutions of the
problems this society faces in the light of Islam.

44. • We must establish influential think tanks in
Washington
• They must be staffed by the best thinkers and
future forecasters- both Muslims and non Muslims.
• They should come up with policy papers in the light
of Islam
• They should write what is best for America and the
global community

46. • We need to train our youngsters in print, electronic
media and social media.
• They should have the knowledge and the true
moral values of Islam.
• They should also be best equipped with modern
techniques of writing and communicating to the
American public.

47. • We need to plan and establish financial and trade
institutions in America based on non interest
principle.
• We will need experts from Muslim community in
these fields.
• We need to develop credible and trustworthy
business enterprises where people- both Muslims
and non Muslims can invest without any doubt or
fear.
• Such institutions then will finance other endeavors
mentioned which obviously require tremendous
amount of capital.

48. • Social and human service is a prominent feature we
see in the life of our Prophet (SAW).
• He was truly a mercy to the universe.
• He was kind, forgiving and helpful even to those who
were his enemies, regardless of their social
status, position in the society or wealth.
• Shelters for homeless, soup kitchens, shelters for
children and battered women, free clinics for the needy
sick patients, food banks and clothes distribution
centers are to be established
• In case of natural disasters like hurricanes and
earthquakes, emergency assistance camps are to be
arranged.

49. • 1. Political awareness. Muslim community is to be
educated concerning the democratic process in
America, their rights and obligations and the
significance of political participation for
empowerment.
• 2. Voter registration. Efforts are to be made for
100% voter registration for all Muslim citizens.

50. • 3. Participation in political parties and local
elections. Muslim registered voters must
participate in local political activities and elections.
This may involve supporting right candidates or
Muslim candidates to seek political offices wherever
possible and practical.
• 4. Participation at the State and National
elections. Organized efforts are to be made to
participate in the state elections and national
elections. Again, this may require supporting
candidates who favor issues of concern for Muslims
and are good for America. We should also prepare
Muslim candidates to participate in these elections.

51. • This work requires lot of patience and
steadfastness.
• There could be lot of obstacles and hardships in the
way which may bring test of will power.
• It will require some sacrifice of time and resources.
• It is the love for this mission, desire to seek the
pleasure of Allah (SWT) and success in the
Hereafter which provides the constant motivation
and drive under any and all adverse circumstances
to continue the struggle.

53. • Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and his companions went
through very trying times.
• They were ridiculed, persecuted and then driven out of
their own homes.
• They were chased out of their towns and then
threatened with force.
• They were forced to defend themselves and their
families.
• However, nothing could stop them from carrying out
their mission which was dear to them.
• They continued their efforts till they fulfilled their
obligation as true witnesses of Islam to the known
world.