The Goals of Da`wah 

It is necessary that we Muslims have a clear understanding of the primary goals of da`wah, in order to direct their efforts toward the correct ends and achieve the intended effect. We must know what specifically we intend to bring about and accomplish by making da`wah. Otherwise, we are likely to fail in ascertaining the priorities that are necessary for achieving what Allah (swt) wants from us by calling people to Him. 

A clear formulation of the aims of da`wah can be summarized is as follows: 

1. To guide people to the religion of Allah 
2. To establish evidence against those who decline from or oppose the religion 
3. To discharge the duty enjoined on us, the Muslims, by Allah 
4. To exalt the word of Allah on earth 

First

The first objective, of guiding people to Allah's religion and establishing worship of Allah alone, was the primary task of the Prophets and Messengers. The Prophets were calling people to the realization and fulfillment of the purpose of creation, which is worship of their Creator. Worship can be defined as "everything that Allah (swt) loves and approves of from the apparent and hidden sayings and deeds." [Ibn Taymeeyah] The Qur'aan makes it clear that worship is the specific reason why Allah created all that exists, animate or inanimate. 

"And I created not the Jinns and men except that they may worship Me (Alone)." [al-Qur'aan, adh-Dhaariyaat(51):56] 

"There is not a thing but glorifies His praise. But you understand not that glorification." [al-Qur'aan, al-Israa'(17):44] 

The aim of Muslims in da`wah is the same, calling all of mankind to worship of Allah alone and submission to Him according to the Deen that He chose for His Prophets to convey. At the same time, it must be realized that the actual results of our efforts in guiding people to Allah's religion are not in our hands, as it is only Allah who guides. Even the Prophet himself (s) was unable to guide his uncle Aboo Taalib, about which Allah (swt) said: 

"Verily you (O Muhammad) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And he knows best those who are guided." [al-Qur'aan, al-Qasas(28):56] 

Second

Establishing Allah's proof against the disbelievers and the rebellious is the second goal of da`wah, and is achieved by our relating the message in a proper way. Our success in this regard does not depend on whether Allah guides those whom we call or not. The Prophets themselves were sent as warners to the mankind, having as their duty only to convey the message and explain the obligations of the people towards their Creator, and to warn of a severe torment for those who rejected the message. Disbelievers are thus left with no excuse that can justify their disobedience to Allah. These concepts are explained in the following Qur'anic verses: 

"Messengers are bearers of good news as well as warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers. And Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise." [al-Qur'aan, an-Nisaa'(4):165] 

"Say: Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him (to convey the Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey [the Message] in a clear way." [an-Noor(24):54] 

Calling to Allah will therefore leave those who disbelieve without an excuse before Allah on the Day of Judgment, in case they do not respond to the call of the Messengers. Calling is our role, and responding is theirs. 

"Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): My Lord pays attention to you only because of your invocation to Him. But now you have indeed denied (Him). So the torment will be yours forever." [al-Qur'aan, al-Furqaan(25):77] 

Third

The third goal of da`wah is to fulfill our duty of calling people to Allah (swt). Our duty is only to convey the message, so our success in realizing this goal is also not dependent on the response of those that we are calling. Allah (swt) says to the Messenger in several places in the Qur'aan: 

"Your duty is to convey the Message." [al-Qur'aan, Ash-Shooraa(42):48] 

"The Messenger's duty is but to convey the Message." [al-Qur'aan, al-Maai`dah(5):99] 

"Whether we show you (O Muhammad) part of what We have promised them or cause you to die, your duty is only to convey (the Message) and unto Us is the reckoning." [al-Qur'aan, ar-Ra`d(13):40] 

Releasing ourselves from the duty of da`wah enjoined upon us by Allah is of particular relevance to those Muslims living in non-Muslim lands, as engaging in da`wah would in shaa' Allah justify their stay among the disbelievers. The Prophet(s) has also explained that fulfilling our obligations can provide us an excuse before Allah, otherwise we are bound to perish: 

"The people will not perish until they have no excuse left for themselves." [Authentic Hadeeth] 

Fourth

The fourth goal is establishing a Muslim nation and making the word of Allah dominant on earth. Allah explains in the Qur'aan: 

"It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth, that He may make it (Islaam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness." [al-Qur'aan, al-Fath(48):28] 

Allah (swt) also says in the Qur'aan: 

"He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, purifying them, and teaching them Book (the Qur'aan), and Al-Hikmah (Sunnah). And verily, they had been before in manifest error." [al-Qur'aan, al-Jumu`ah(62):2] 

The Messenger of Allah and the Sahaaba established an Islamic society here on earth. Therefore our aim in da`wah should also be to create a strong Muslim society that would exalt Allah's word in this world. This goal, like the first one, is dependent on the response of those we are calling and is therefore in Allah's Hands. However, Allah has promised to Muslims that He will establish them on earth if they believe and do righteous deeds: 

"Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islaam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." [al-Qur'aan, an-Noor(24):55]