Lakum deenukum waliya deen...

Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.

[Al-Kafiroon : 6]

When this particular ayah is read, it looks like as if ALLAH has given us the greatest excuse to not do da3wah. But look at it closely, and read the surah from the beginning.

1 قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ

Say: O disbelievers!

2 لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ

I worship not that which ye worship;

3 وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ

Nor worship ye that which I worship.

4 وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ

And I shall not worship that which ye worship.

5 وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ

Nor will ye worship that which I worship.

6 لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ

Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.

Qul ya ayyuhal kafiroon!

Say: O disbelievers!

When you want to sell something to someone, of course you would talk about its purpose and the quality of the product. When the person refuses to buy even after you explain everything, then it is up to them because that is their right. However, if we haven't talked about the product to that person, would you expect him or her to buy your product? Of course not, and that is why we have to promote it to them. Until they are told about the details on the product, they are potential customers, that is, until proven otherwise.

The same goes to religion. You don't call a Non-Muslim a kaffir before you even 'promote' about Islam to them. If they didn't know about the beauty of Islam, how can they accept it? The disbelievers(the kaffirs) are those who reject faith. The keyword, REJECT FAITH. Just like the Quraisy tribe. Even after they knew the truth, even when our beloved prophet had shown a lot of miracles, they still REJECT Islam and that is why they are labelled as kaffirs.The non-believers.

If you had preached about Islam to someone and still they don't want to accept it, only then the ayah(Al-Kafiroon:6) is applicable. But that doesn't mean you have to preach only once. Preach to them over and over again. If not by speech, do it by showing Islamic akhlaq. I was touched when one day, my Indian roommate asked me when I was wearing a lycra hijab(tudung Ariani tuuu).

Actually I was just wearing it because I want to recite the Quran in my room. She asked me why I was wearing that tudung, because she used to see me wearing the jilbab(tudung labuh bulat). I told her that I wasn't going to go outside. She nodded and I was pleased to know that she knows the difference between the proper way and the unproper way of covering up. Another incident is when we were talking about something and she told me that good Muslims will wear like me. I was shocked because all these while I thought all non-Muslims are afraid of my type of dressing. That means she knows that a Muslimah will cover up their aurat the way I did and she respected(well, respect is such a strong word but that is what she told me) me for my obedience to my religion. I was somewhat embarassed because I feel that I am not a good Muslim but at least, I thought, well, she thinks that I portray Islamic akhlaq. Alhamdulillah. :) Actually I always feel awkward when I talked about me being a revert with another non-Muslims, because I was afraid they might think that I am trying to convert them or something but alhamdulillah, I manage to supress that thought. So when my roommate ask me about Islam, I was really happy to share with her and also included a few misconceptions about Islam and what is actually right. Alhamdulillah, so far she has been taking it well. :)

Remember, in the hereafter, when we are judged in front of ALLAH, if our non-Muslim friends died as non-Muslims, they can point fingers at us for not telling them about Islam and we are accounted for it. Nauzubillahi minzalik. The hidayah is not in our hands to give, but we can direct them towards it. InshaALLAH.

Da3wah is compulsory, if you think you are a Muslim.

If your excuse is you don't know how to, then LEARN.

People assumed that being a revert means that I can easily do da3wah to people. No, that is not the reality. You need to have the knowledge to start preaching.

If your excuse is you don't have the knowledge, then SEARCH for the knowledge.

These things are doable, the only thing blocking your way is your own WILLPOWER.

If there's a will, there's a way.

 ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۖ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ

Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. [An-Nahl: 125]