Surah Fussilat (41) — Ayah 33

(Ayah 33) ➊ { وَ مَنْ اَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّنْ دَعَاۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ … :} In the previous verses, by giving glad tidings to those who believe and then remain steadfast, of the descent of angels, their friendship in this world and the Hereafter, entry into Paradise, and the hospitality of the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful, their hearts were granted peace, satisfaction, and comfort. Now, a deed is mentioned which is the natural demand of saying {’’ رَبُّنَا اللّٰهُ ‘‘}, that they do not keep this blessing limited to themselves, but their effort is to convey it to all the people of the world. Their desire is that the blessing granted to them be granted to every person. While performing this task, when they observe three things, then in speech, no one can be better or higher in rank than them. The first thing is {’’ دَعَاۤ اِلَى اللّٰهِ ‘‘}, that is, they call only towards Allah. Neither towards themselves, nor towards any personality, nor towards any tribe, group, race, or homeland, but their invitation is only towards Allah, that all become His servants and obedient, as He said: « قُلْ هٰذِهٖ سَبِيْلِيْۤ اَدْعُوْۤا اِلَى اللّٰهِ عَلٰى بَصِيْرَةٍ اَنَا وَ مَنِ اتَّبَعَنِيْ وَ سُبْحٰنَ اللّٰهِ وَ مَاۤ اَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ» [ یوسف : ۱۰۸ ] "Say: This is my way; I call to Allah with clear insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah, and I am not of those who associate others with Him." This is the work of the prophets and their successors, and it is such a great task that those who accept guidance through their invitation, a reward equal to that of those people will also be given to them. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَنْ دَعَا إِلٰی هُدًی كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ أُجُوْرِ مَنْ تَبِعَهُ، لَا يَنْقُصُ ذٰلِكَ مِنْ أُجُوْرِهِمْ شَيْئًا، وَمَنْ دَعَا إِلٰی ضَلَالَةٍ، كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ مِثْلُ آثَامِ مَنْ تَبِعَهُ، لَا يَنْقُصُ ذٰلِكَ مِنْ آثَامِهِمْ شَيْئًا ] [ مسلم، العلم، باب من سن سنۃ حسنۃ أو سیئۃ… : ۲۶۷۴ ] "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward like the rewards of those who follow him, without their rewards being diminished in any way. And whoever calls to misguidance will bear a sin like the sins of those who follow him, without their sins being diminished in any way."

That is why, even if the whole Ummah gathers, it cannot reach the rank of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), nor can those who come after the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) reach their rank, and the same is the case for those who later call to Allah. Then, who can be better in speech than the one who is also receiving the reward of deeds he did not do? No matter how much a person acts himself, how can he attain this status?

➋ The invitation towards Allah is both with the tongue and with the hand. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent with the Qur'an as well as the sword, and his Companions supported him. Then, with verbal invitation and striving in the way of Allah, Islam spread from east to west. This is the relevance of: « هُوَ الَّذِيْۤ اَرْسَلَ رَسُوْلَهٗ بِالْهُدٰى وَ دِيْنِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهٗ عَلَى الدِّيْنِ كُلِّهٖ وَ كَفٰى بِاللّٰهِ شَهِيْدًا » [ الفتح : ۲۸ ] being followed by: « مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ وَ الَّذِيْنَ مَعَهٗۤ اَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيْنَهُمْ …» [الفتح : ۲۹ ]. See also Surah Al-Imran (104, 110).

➌ The second necessary thing to be the best in speech is {’’ وَ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا ‘‘}, that is, along with inviting towards Allah, they themselves also do righteous deeds. Righteous deeds mean that they are purely for Allah and according to the way shown by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). (See the last verse of Surah Al-Kahf.) The person who invites others but acts contrary to it himself, there is a severe warning for him. See Surah Al-Baqarah (44).

➍ The third thing is {’’ وَ قَالَ اِنَّنِيْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ ‘‘}, that is, he openly declares being a Muslim instead of being a Jew, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Communist, Democrat, or Liberal, etc., is proud of it, and does not care about the blame of any blamer. {’’ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ ‘‘} That is, he is happy to be a member of the community of Muslims and does not consider any religion, creed, nation, or society better than Islam and Muslims. Not like some of today's atheists who were born among Muslims, but are so overawed by the disbelievers that sometimes they even say that unfortunately, we were born among Muslims. A poet has beautifully said:

Neither by the poetry of a sweet-voiced poet, nor by the prose of an unparalleled prose writer,
But I am happy with the servitude of the King of the universe, the Most Glorious, and with the love of the Prophet.

Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: [ ذَاقَ طَعْمَ الْإِيْمَانِ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِاللّٰهِ رَبًّا وَ بِالإِْسْلاَمِ دِيْنًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُوْلًا ] [ مسلم، الإیمان، باب الدلیل علٰی أن من رضي باللہ ربا… : ۳۴۔ ترمذي : ۲۶۲۳ ] "He has tasted the sweetness of faith who is pleased with Allah as his Lord, with Islam as his religion, and with Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as his Messenger."

33. 1. That is, along with calling people towards Allah, he himself is also guided, adherent to the religion, and obedient to Allah.

33. And who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah [41], does righteous deeds, and says, "Indeed, I am of those who submit (to Allah)."

[41]
Reforming Oneself Along With Preaching to Others:

In the previous verses, those people were mentioned who, after believing in Allah, remain vigilant over their commitment throughout their lives. In this verse, believers of an even higher rank are mentioned. That is, those people who not only remain steadfast in fulfilling the commands of Allah themselves, but also invite others towards the same. They first act upon it themselves and present a practical example of obedience to Allah. Then they call others towards the religion of Allah. For these people to first act themselves and then invite others to Allah’s religion is the most excellent deed.