Da'wah (دعوة) literally means “to call, invite, or summon.” In Islam, it refers to inviting people—Muslims and non-Muslims alike—towards the truth of Islam with wisdom, sincerity, and good character. It is the duty of every Muslim to extend invitation to non Muslims to Islam. An exclusive mention to this sacred duty is mentioned in Al Qur'an:
“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner.” (Qur’an 16:125)
However, this is not an easy task. Even chosen prophets found it difficult to extend invitation to the non believers who out rightly rejected following an unseen Divine Deity and preferred to follow the faith adopted by their forefathers. Sometimes the resistance can be so painful that Prophet Yunis (Jonah, عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) left his people utterly dejected, was swallowed by a giant fish and when repented for abandoning his given mission was accepted, he was thrown out on the land. And there he found that his people who denounced him had actually embraced the Divine path he taught to them.
(You may read the account of his apparently failed Da'wah already published by us and can be accessed from the link: Prophet Younis (Jonah) and Allah's Displeasure)
Thus, those Muslims who take upon them the sacred duty of Da'wah must be fully prepared with the guardrails of Da'wah, have complete grasp over Islam and its edge over the religion being followed by their target audience. However, it must be borne in mind that their effort is only to extend an invitation to Islam and that is about all. Whether their audience accept their invitation or otherwise is the Divine realm for it is Allah who knows the best whom to bless guidance and whom not to.
With this premise, we now share the 56th verse of Surah 28. Al Qasas (The Stories) the context and explanation which would make us understand the guardrails of Da'wah and a completely un-emotional approach for extending invitation, for the inviter may get demoralized if he doesn't succeed in his effort to convince someone, specially if someone happens to be one's wordily protector and mentor.
The Verse
اِنَّكَ لَا تَهۡدِىۡ مَنۡ اَحۡبَبۡتَ وَلٰـكِنَّ اللّٰهَ يَهۡدِىۡ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُؕ وَهُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِالۡمُهۡتَدِيۡنَ
“Indeed, you do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are guided.” (Qur’an 28:56)
A paired Daʿwah verse{ “So remind; you are only a reminder. You are not a controller over them.” (88:21–22) - This verse echoes 28:56 perfectly.
Immediate Historical Context (Why this verse was revealed)
This verse was revealed concerning the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his uncle Abū Ṭālib. It may be recalled that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a born orphan as his father passed away before his birth and his mother too left him when the little boy was merely six years old. Thereafter, his uncle Abū Ṭālib took over his grooming for many years of life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and stood by him when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ proclaimed Islam and was the subject of extreme oppression by the polytheists of Makkah. Unfortunately, and despite utmost effort and motivation of his nephew, he did not embrace Islam and died upon the religion of his forefathers. This failure deeply effected Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and rather demoralized him. It is at this stage of demoralization, the above quoted verse was revealed.
This verse came as consolation and clarification as we will explain herein under.
What is Da'wah?
Before we expand the meaning of the verse, we must understand what Da'wah really is:
Da'wah is the conscious, ethical effort to convey the message of Islam—its beliefs, values, and way of life—so that people may understand it clearly and freely choose their response, while guidance itself remains with Allah.
This means effort is by man and guidance is by Allah.
What are the types of “guidance”
The verse distinguishes between two types of guidance:
- Guidance of explanation (hidāyat al-bayān): This the part of the guidance which an inviter extends to the non Muslims by conveying to them to message of Islam, teaching them to clarify the truth contained in the verses of Qur'an. The Prophet ﷺ did this perfectly.
- Guidance of acceptance (hidāyat al-tawfīq): This is the part of guidance based on the Divine Wisdom. When one is Divinely invited to Islam, it opens even the most rigid and noncompromising hearts. They are this granted faith and enables them to accept the invitation. This part of guidance is in the exclusive domain of Allah. That is "It is not for any soul to believe except by Allah’s permission.” (10:100)
What the verse does NOT mean
When the revered prophet Muhammad ﷺ could not convince his dearest uncle to enter the fold of Islam, it did not mean that the Prophet ﷺ had failed, or that his preaching was pointless. Or in other words that human effort is irrelevant. Rather it meant that while one makes one's utmost effort to bring someone to accept Islam, the outcome of one's effort rests on Allah’s decision. Lucky are those whose hearts are opened Divinely to breath in the fresh air accompanying the message of Islam. Such are the blessed reverts.
Thus from this verse, we learn that Da'wah is not: (1) Forcing belief, (2) Winning arguments, or (3) Dominating others. For Da'wah is only invitation, not imposition.
Why this verse matters theologically
This verse makes the prophets and the later inviters to understand that:
- It protects pure Tawḥīd: That means no prophet, saint, or scholar controls guidance, grants faith for even the best of creation cannot. ensure this.
- It balances responsibility and reliance: While it is the duty of those involved in Da'wah to continue to call upon others to Islam, it is Allah alone Who open and creates faith in the hearts
Ethical Guiderails of Da'wah
In the light of above explanation, let us see what are the ethical guiderails of Da'wah:
- Calling, not coercion: “There is no compulsion in religion.” (2:256) - that is Daʿwah respects human freedom and conscience.
- Conveying truth clearly: “Your duty is only to convey the message.” (42:48) - that is Success is measured by faithfulness, not numbers. One should therefore not resort to supplying false information which may later result into hatred rather than love for Islam.
- Wisdom and mercy:
- Daʿwah must be: (1) Context-aware, (2) Gentle, (3) Patient and (4) Respectful. One must never ridicule the faith being followed by the target audience. Rather they should addressed respectfully, diginity and honour. For the Prophet ﷺ had advised: “Gentleness is not found in anything except that it beautifies it.” (Muslim)
- “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner.” (Qur’an 16:125) This means that Da'wah is not: Forcing belief, Winning arguments or Dominating others - Rather, Da'wah is invitation, not imposition.
- Balance with effort — not passivity: The verse 28:56 does not promote laziness but firm commitment by not bowing to slight resistance or counter arguments.
- No Burnouts: If the audience is nor receptive despite one's best effort, one should never lose patience and feel burnt-out for having failed. One should instead learn and apply different technique to make them understand their viewpoint.
- By words and by character: The strongest Dawah is often lived, not spoken. The Prophet ﷺ was described as “a walking Qur’an.”
- Da'wah is the sincere, wise, and ethical invitation to Allah’s way—through speech, action, and character—while leaving acceptance to Allah alone.
- Practical Dawah Applications Today: When someone doesn’t accept Islam, one should continue one's endeavours with kindness by maintaining integrity.
What Da'wah is NOT
Da'wah is a simple, plain and selfless effort to spread the truth. It should not in any way be a (1) Political propaganda, (2) Cultural superiority, (3) Aggressive debate, or (4) Emotional manipulation. Remember: Da'wah loses its soul when it loses akhlaq - that is good conduct, including ethics, morals, character, manners, disposition. One of the basic rule of Da'wah is utter humility and never losing control of oneself and storming out of the Da'wah session.
Does this verse apply today?
Yes, absolutely. Today, the non Muslims are more aware of their religion than ever before. Not only that, they also know a lot more about Islam, though generally a misleading information being fed to them.
Thus this verse teaches that (1) Parents cannot force faith on children, (2) Scholars cannot control outcomes and that (3) Daʿwah is sincere effort, not guaranteed success.
However, those involved in Da'wah today are more aware of their mission and educated in modern techniques of motivation to press home their motivational talks to the audience. I once came across a video wherein the Da'wah team read before meeting their audience their culture and traditions and wore their native typical dress. This instantly made their audience listen to them for they felt at home talking to the inviters as if they were one of them. Instead of forcing the faith, they won their hearts by looking as one of them.
In summary, Surah 28:56 teaches that while humans convey truth, only Allah grants the inner acceptance of faith—reminding believers to strive sincerely without assuming control over hearts. There is no ego at stake if one is unsuccessful, as many a times prophets have hit the dead ends. Even the context of this verse shows that despite his best efforts, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ could not convince his uncle to follow the faith he was preaching to the polytheists. But this did not deter him to continue to extend Da'wah and a day came when Islam rose gracefully which continues this day.
Note: Readers may refer to a number of posts we have already published on Da'wah links given in our reference page: Da'wah - calling non Muslims to Islam
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah (28) Al-Qaṣaṣ ( القصص “The Stories”) already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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