Is calling to good the duty of all Muslims or only of one particular group?

Passing on the message of Islam is the duty of every Muslim. The verse about a particular group refers to people who are exemplary in a certain virtue and guide others in it.

Some read the first verse above as if only a small group needs to call to good, while everyone else may devote themselves to other tasks. But this verse speaks of something other than the preaching of the faith.

It concerns the good customs and values of a society. Whoever urges others to be honest must be honest themselves. Whoever warns against a bad habit must not have it. A society is never equal in everything. One person is strong in one area, another in a different one. The verse calls on those who excel in a particular virtue to promote it in others and to prevent the corresponding evil. That is why it speaks of a group and not of everyone.

Passing on the message of Islam is a different matter. The second verse above commands the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) to convey what has been revealed to him. Had he not done so, he would not have fulfilled his mission. Can anyone imagine that he alone was meant to do this work while the others sat idly by? What is commanded to him becomes a duty for all who follow him. The third verse says so clearly. He calls to God, and so do all who follow him.

Every Muslim can serve religion in many fields, according to their abilities. That is good and necessary. But it does not release anyone from the duty of passing the message on to others with wisdom and kindness. The hadith above shows how seriously the Holy Prophet (saw) took this duty.