This questions is about the importance of Da’wah

Ref no: 0320#

Category

Da’wah

Title

This questions is about the importance of Da’wah

Question

This questions is about the importance of Da’wah. I’ve always considered Da’wah as important but a Hadith was narrated to me without reference and now i can’t find the Hadith.

The Hadith states that the Prophet (PBUH) said we should or must do Da’wah to forty houses in each direction of the house we occupy.

Is this legitimate? What is the reference?

I live in England (UK) and forty houses may accompass many non-Muslim households.

Answer

Muhtaram / Muhtaramah

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.

There is no Hadith that states “we should or must do da’wah to forty houses in each direction of the house we occupy”.

However, there is a Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (radiyallaahu anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The rights of neighbours extend to forty homes. He then indicated to the right, left, back and front.”  (Majma’ Al-Zawaaid, vol 8, pg 168, Qudsi / Musnad Abi Ya’la Al-Mawsili, vol 5, pg 368, Muassasah Uluum Al-Quran)

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) explained that the forty homes refer to ten homes in each direction. (Sunan Al-Baihaqi, vol 6, pg 276, Dar Al-Baaz)

From the abovementioned narrations it is understood that the forty homes that surrounds the home one occupies are regarded as neighbors. Therefore, there rights as neighbors should be fulfilled.

عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حق الجار أربعون داراً هكذا وهكذا وهكذا يميناً وشمالاً وقدام وخلف (مجمع الزوائدمسند ابي يعلي الموصولي)

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : أوصاني جبريل عليه السلام بالجار إلى أربعين دارا عشرة من ههنا وعشرة من ههنا وعشرة من ههنا وعشرة من ههنا قال إسماعيل عن يمينه وعن يساره وقباله وخلفه (سنن البيهقي الكبري)

And Allah knows best
Darul Iftaa

Madrasah Inaa’miyyah