New Delhi: In a stirring address at Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s (JIH) headquarters, Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer urged Indian Muslims to rise above fear, confront growing injustice, and fulfill their divine responsibility of Da’wah — the call to invite humanity towards the worship of one God.
Speaking on the theme “The Current National Situation and Our Da’wah Responsibilities,” Prof. Salim acknowledged the mounting challenges faced by the Muslim community, including systemic marginalization, Islamophobia, false terror cases, and political hostility. Yet, he emphasized that these circumstances should not deter Muslims from their core mission.
“Our obligation to convey the message of Islam is not conditional upon political or social circumstances,” he said. “It is a divine command. Strategies may adapt with time, but the duty of Da’wah remains eternal.”
Highlighting the injustice faced by Muslim youth, Prof. Salim noted that many have spent decades in jail under fabricated terror charges, only to be acquitted after losing the prime years of their lives. He decried the double standards in the justice system, where non-Muslims accused of similar crimes are often treated with leniency.
Despite this, he urged the Muslim community not to fall into despair. “A Da’i (preacher) is not someone who reacts emotionally or defensively,” he said. “Even in the darkest times, the mission is not to preserve ourselves but to reform society through truth, character, and unwavering commitment to Allah’s guidance.”
Prof. Salim emphasized that Islam begins with inner transformation, which then leads to social and systemic reform. “Allah’s religion came to establish justice and dismantle tyranny. The Prophets were sent to bring moral revolutions — and now, this responsibility lies with us as the final Ummah.”
He reminded Muslims that the ultimate goal of religion is to create a society where truth thrives and injustice is eradicated.
Prof. Salim drew parallels from the lives of Prophets Musa (AS), Nuh (AS), and Ibrahim (AS) — each of whom faced extreme hostility yet persisted in their mission with wisdom and patience.
“Even when confronting the most tyrannical rulers, a Da’i must speak with compassion and courage — not anger or hatred,” he said. “This is the moral standard set by our beloved Prophets.”
While acknowledging the increasing Islamophobic environment, he pointed out that such conditions have ironically opened new avenues for Da’wah. “Today, Islam is being discussed everywhere. People are curious. Every question they ask is a chance to introduce them to the truth.”
He stressed that Dawah is not merely a verbal act or limited to public preaching. “Our entire life — our honesty, patience, resilience, and interactions — must reflect the values of Islam.”
He also warned against adopting confrontational or number-focused methods of preaching, such as those used by some Christian missionary groups. “Our goal is not to win arguments or inflate statistics, but to sincerely deliver the message of truth.”
Concluding his address, Prof. Salim reminded the audience of the Ummah’s chosen status. “Allah has selected us to be witnesses over all of humanity. Just as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a witness over us, we must be living examples of Islam — in word, action, and integrity.”
He called upon Indian Muslims to stay hopeful, united, and wise, ensuring that their efforts in politics, education, and society always serve the higher mission of Da’wah and justice.
