Content of the Call

 in principle, may be presented as the essential element in the call to accept the Truth. According to the creation plan of God, man shall have to give an account of himself ‘whether you disclose what is in your minds or keep it hidden.’ (2:284), when ‘men’s hearts will leap up the throats and choke them,’ (40:18). This day has also been referred to in the Quran as ‘the Day of Gathering’ (42:7), and ‘the Day of Meeting.’ (40:13). This is the subject that dominated the verses revealed in Makkah, that is, during the dawah period. 1. We cite below some examples to show the difference between calling people to accept the essence of a religion and inviting them to join an organized religion. Chapter 102 of the Quran revealed in Makkah reads: ‘Greed for more and more distracted you [from God] till you reached the grave. But you will soon come to know. But you will soon come to know. Indeed, were you to know the truth with certainty, you would see the fire of Hell. You would see it with the eye of certainty. Then on that Day you shall be questioned about your worldly favours.’ It was this chapter which had initially made an impact on the German neo-convert Leopold Asad. 2. When the Prophet was ordained by God to invite people to accept Islam, according to the Arab custom, he climbed the Mount Safa and addressed those who had assembled there. According to Ibn Abbas, the speech was as follows: “Tell me, would you believe me if I were to say to you that there is an army behind this mountain, heading towards you to destroy you?’ The people gathered there exclaimed, ‘Yes!’ Then the Prophet said, ‘I warn you of the imminence of a severe punishment.’” (Al-Bidayah wanNihayah, Vol. III, p. 38) Once the Prophet conveyed the message of Islam to Abu Sufyan ibn Harb and Hind bint Utba in the following words: “By God, there will come a day when you shall die. You will be thereafter raised from your graves: the virtuous will then enter heaven and the evil will go to hell. What I have said is the truth, and you two are the first among those I am warning.” (Ibn Asakir, from Muawiyah) 3. Umar Farooq once said: “Woe to the ruler on earth on the day he meets the Ruler in heaven. Only he shall be spared who decides Calling People to Tread the Path of God