Question
Assalamualaykum respected Mufti Sahib,
Just a few days ago, in a local gathering of Tabligh, a speaker said something in his Bayan that I wish to mention. He said:
‘My point is that the only cause for the completion of Iman (faith) is the work of Da’wah (inviting to Allah). Other than this, no other action can complete Iman. There is no form of worship that completes Iman.’
He went on to say:
‘I am openly saying that there is no evidence for the completion of Iman besides Da’wah. Allah’s oath — there is no other means through which Iman can be completed: not Tahajjud, not Tilawah (recitation of Quran), not Dhikr (remembrance), not fasting, not prayer, not Hajj — nothing at all.’
I am presenting this with full clarity and asking: Is this correct to say? Kindly issue a ruling.
Answer – Page 1
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer with the help of the One Who grants success
The question mentioned refers to a statement made by a respected speaker in a Tablighi gathering, in which it was said that the only cause for the completion of faith (Iman) is Da’wah and Tabligh (inviting others to Islam), and no other action completes faith, whether optional worship or otherwise. This statement is clearly wrong, not only contrary to Qur’an and Hadith but also a gross misrepresentation.
It is absolutely incorrect to say that the only means to complete Iman is Da’wah and that no other action has any role in its completion. There are many clear verses in the Qur’an and Hadith that point to the fact that righteous deeds like prayer, fasting, zakah, and so on, are essential components of a complete and accepted Iman. To disregard all of these and isolate Da’wah as the sole factor is a major error.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of Iman: that Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anything else; that he loves a person solely for the sake of Allah; and that he hates to return to disbelief just as he would hate to be thrown into fire.”
— [Bukhari & Muslim]
This Hadith shows that love for Allah and His Messenger, love for fellow believers, and hatred for disbelief are among the signs of true Iman. These involve internal states and actions beyond just Da’wah.
Furthermore, many Hadith explicitly mention that the completion of Iman includes avoiding sins, being upright in dealings, and fearing Allah in all situations. The Qur’an says:
“The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is they who are the truthful.”
— [Al-Hujurat: 15]
In another Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“None of you will have complete Iman until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
— [Bukhari & Muslim]
In the commentary of this Hadith in Mirqat al-Mafatih, it is explained that the phrase “complete Iman” refers to perfecting one’s character, worship, and dealings. The scholars of the four schools of thought agree that Iman includes actions of the limbs as well as beliefs of the heart and statements of the tongue.
In summary: To say that Da’wah is the only cause of the completion of Iman and that no other act like prayer, fasting, remembrance, etc., plays a role in completing Iman is an incorrect and dangerous statement. Iman is completed through a combination of belief, speech, and righteous deeds, including but not limited to Da’wah.
— And Allah knows best.
Answer – Page 2
The verse quoted by the individual:
Indeed, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remain steadfast…
This refers to all aspects of Islam and its commandments, not just Da’wah. The context of the verse, as well as many other verses and hadith, confirm that steadfastness includes following all commands of Allah, not just the act of inviting others (Da’wah). Hence, to exclusively interpret this ayah as referring to Da’wah is incorrect.
The claim that Da’wah is the only cause for the perfection of Iman is also unfounded because many scholars have written that there are various acts (including prayer, fasting, zakah, etc.) which perfect one’s faith. To isolate Da’wah and say it alone completes faith is an innovation and distortion of the religion.
Different types of obligations exist in Islam — some are obligatory on every individual (fard ‘ayn), like prayer and fasting, and some are communal (fard kifayah), like certain forms of Da’wah. Saying that Da’wah is the only obligation and everything else has no role is an open contradiction of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Allah says:
O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones…
— [At-Tahrim: 6]
This verse makes it clear that responsibility also lies within one’s family and inner circle, not just public Da’wah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock…
— [Sahih Bukhari & Muslim]
This proves that a person is responsible for guiding and correcting those under his authority — and that this is also a form of Da’wah.
As for the verse:
You are the best nation brought forth for mankind…”
It refers to collective virtue, not that every individual must engage in external Da’wah to strangers. The obligation of external public Da’wah (like what the Tabligh Jama’at does) is communal, not personal for everyone, and is based on the capacity and expertise of individuals.
Only a qualified and learned scholar may be appointed for detailed public Da’wah; others should limit themselves to what they know and are able to do correctly. Misrepresenting Islam with incorrect information can cause more harm than good.
In summary, the claim that Da’wah is the only means of completing Iman is baseless, exaggerated, and contradicts the teachings of Islam.
And Allah knows best.
Signed by:
- Mufti Abdul Mannan Niazi
- Mufti Abdul Hameed Azad
- Mufti Muhammad Fazlul Ali
Darul Ifta, Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi
23 March 2025
