Title: A Narrative Ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) Relating to Da`wah Question/Comments: In your response to the question regarding on joining group for the propagation, you have written that: "In fact, the very idea of propagating Islam outside one's own area is not based on either the Qur'an or the Sunnah . " then I would like to know what Prophet (pbuh) means by saying in his last sermon "TAKE THIS WORD TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY". jazaakallahu khairan Answer: The cited words ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh), in my opinion, simply imply that those who had the opportunity to be present on the referred occasion should consider it their responsibility to deliver the Prophet's message to those who could not be there. The Prophet's words did not imply that those, who were present on the occasion, should travel through the earth and individually inform every soul of the Prophet's message. On the contrary, it only implied that every one from amongst those who were present should deliver the Prophet's message to all those, who could not be present at the occasion, who are accessible to them and to whom they can meaningfully deliver the Prophet's message. This is precisely how the direct and the first addressees of the Prophet (pbuh), at the time, understood the Prophet's statement, as is also evidenced by their subsequent attitude. It is quite clear that if the addressees of the Prophet (pbuh) had understood the referred statement to imply that they were all individually supposed to deliver the Prophet's message to the whole of mankind, they would all have then left for a tour of the world. Anyone who would have avoided such a propagation tour would have been guilty of ignoring the Prophet's directive. Nevertheless, it is more than obvious that such was not the case. The companions of the Prophet (pbuh) delivered his message to the rest of mankind, in their collective capacity, not in their individual capacities. In view of the above explanation, I really do not think that the cited statement ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) could be interpreted to imply that Islam requires a Muslim to leave his place of residence for the purpose of teaching Islam to those who live in far off places. 25 th June 2000