This excerpt is taken from Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah's book Al-Jawab al-Bahir fi Zuwar al-Maqabir, translated by Sheikh Ataullah Saqib.
The Position of the Messenger of Allah and His Invitation
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, invited the creation of Allah to Him by the permission (command) of Allah Almighty. The Ummah is explained by the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا ﴿٤٥﴾ وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا ﴿٤٦﴾
"O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, as a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and as one who invites to Allah by His permission, and as a shining lamp."
Reference: (33-Al-Ahzab:45-46)
The opponent of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, calls to other than Allah, and the one who follows the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, invites to Allah. The word "by His permission" refers to the divine commands. The statement is good.
قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ﴿١٠٨﴾
"Say to them plainly, 'My way is that I invite to Allah, I and those who follow me, in full clear light.'"
Reference: (12-Yusuf:108)
