How this hadith: “Convey from me, even if it is one verse” should be understood

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated `Abdullaah bin `Amr رضي الله عنه: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single Aayah (Verse, sentence), and tell others the stories of Banee Israa’eel (which have been taught to you), for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3461) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2669)]

The Hadeeth, when quoted in full, gives the explanation that not everyone is suitable to propagate except when the person is sure that what he is saying is the truth. He should be sure that he is not attributing a lie against Allaah, His Book, His Deen and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. And this assurance only comes with seeking knowledge.

Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

“When a person has knowledge and insight into that which he is calling to, then there is no difference between the one who has a great amount of knowledge, or a student of knowledge who has recently started in pursuit of knowledge or a lay person – as long as he has certain knowledge of the issue at hand.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Convey from me, even if it is one verse.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

So it is not a condition upon the da`ee (the one calling) to attain a great amount of knowledge, but the condition is that one must have knowledge of what one is calling to. If this calling is established upon ignorance and built upon emotion and passion, then it is not permissible.

Thus, we see that some of the brothers who call to Allaah, they do not have except a little knowledge. We see them, due to their strong emotions, prohibiting that which Allaah has not prohibited, whilst making obligatory that which Allaah has not made obligatory upon His worshippers. This is a very dangerous matter, since permitting what Allaah has made Haraam (unlawful) is like prohibiting what Allaah has made Halaal (lawful). So when they begin prohibiting people for making a particular matter then others will rebuke them for making it Haraam.

Allaah تعالى says: {And do not say, concerning that which your tongues falsely put forward, ‘This is lawful and this is forbidden,’ so as to invent lies against Allaah. Indeed, those who invent lies against Allaah will never prosper.} [Surah al-Nahl (16):116-117]

As for the lay person, then he must not call to Allaah if he does not have knowledge. Rather, it is essential to have knowledge in accordance with the saying of Allaah تعالى: {Say: This is my path. I call to Allaah upon sure knowledge.} [Surah Yoosuf (12):108]

So it is a must to call to Allaah upon knowledge. However, if a matter is clearly known to be evil or good, then one can command it – if it is good, or forbid it – if it is evil.

So the callers to Allaah must start with knowledge. Whosoever calls to Allaah without knowledge, then such a person will cause greater harm than good – as is evident. So it is obligatory for a person to first acquire knowledge, then to do Da`wah. As for the clear evils and that which is clearly good, then the good is enjoined and the evil prohibited.”

[As-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (pp.59-60) of Shaikh lbn al-`Uthaymeen]