Page 22 - The Importance of Following the Good Word

their efforts were sincere. The Qur'an gives the following ex-
amples:
… Say, "I do not ask you for any wage for it. It is sim-
ply a reminder to all beings." (Surat al-An`am, 90)
[Hud said,] "My people! I do not ask you for any wage
for it. My wage is the responsibility of Him Who
brought me into being. So will you not use your intel-
lect?" (Surah Hud, 51)
[Salih said,] "I am a faithful Messenger to you. So
heed Allah and obey me. I do not ask you for any
wage for it. My wage is the responsibility of no one
but the Lord of all the worlds." (Surat ash-Shu`ara´,
143-145)
Thus far, we have emphasized that the believers call oth-
ers through the good word, no matter what the circumstance,
and that they expect no reward in return. But, here we should
note that the Muslims' sole responsibility is to admonish peo-
ple. As verse 256 of the Surat al-Baqara informs, "There is no
compulsion where the religion is concerned.…"
Responding to these admonitions can benefit only those who
conform to them; yet, if these people insist on persisting in
denial, and reject this sincere advice, then they are doomed to
loss. This fact is related in the Qur'an as follows:
So remind them! You are only a reminder. You are not
in control of them. But as for anyone who turns away
and disbelieves, Allah will punish him with the
Greatest Punishment. Certainly it is to Us they will re-
turn. Then their Reckoning is Our concern. (Surat al-
Ghashiyya, 21-26)
When calling the people to Allah's way, through the good

20 THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THE GOOD WORD