Mission is a term commonly used for Christianity. It means the systematic activities carried out to spread the religion. The source of this formation is based on the New Testament texts in the Christian faith. [1] There is no mission in Islam. The spread of religion in Islamic sources was ensured by ‘tabligh’ (to make Islam’s message known to people). [2]
The same meanings are attributed to tabligh and mission in some societies. Although both aim at inviting people to their religion, there are some differences between them. Here are some differences between Christian mission and Islamic tabligh:
- Principles are not compromised in order to get results in tabligh to Islam. Paul who is accepted as the founder of Christian mission defines how to do the missionary work as follows; “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. [3] The methods mentioned here are not used in tabligh. The expression “by all possible means” is incompatible with Islam as it can also be perceived as “by force”. The expression “There is no compulsion in religion” in the verse 256 of Surah al-Baqarah shows that people who do not convert to Islam cannot be pressured or coerced.
- A group of people specially trained only for missionary work undertakes this mission and invites people to the religion. In Islam, however, the duty of calling to Islam and goodness and forbidding evil (tabligh) is ordered not to a specific group, but to every Muslim. [4]
Mission and tabligh which have many differences in themselves are considered completely different according to Islam.
Allah has declared that no one will remain around those who behave in a stern and rude manner. [5] In addition, the manner that the person who conveys the message of Islam and thus makes it known to people should adopt is taught in detail in many verses of Qur’an and detailed as nice words [6], appropriate and positive words [7], balanced words [8], reliable and truthful words [9], kind words [10], gentle and beneficial words [11], respectful words [12], clear and effective words [13] and facilitating words [14].
[1] Matta, 28/19-20; Markos, 16/15; Acts of the Apostles, 1/8
[2] Maide/99
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): “Even if it is one verse from Qur’an conveyed by me, convey it to people!..” (Buhârî, Enbiyâ, 50; Tirmizî, İlim, 13/2669; Dârimî, Mukaddime, 46; Ahmed, II, 159, 202, 214)
[3] The First Epistle to the Corinthians, 9/19-22
[4] “Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil” (Surah Ali ‘Imran, 104)
[5] Al-i İmran/159.
[6] İsrâ/53; Bakara/83.
[7] Bakara/263.
[8] En’am/112.
[9] Ahzab/70.
[10] Hac/24.
[11] TâHâ/44.
[12] İsrâ/23.
[13] Nisâ/63.
[14] İsrâ/28.