How do we respond to those who say: The call to Islam is only for scholars?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, how do we respond to those who say that the call to Islam is only for scholars, and that no one may call others to it until they reach the level of scholars? And is the one who distributes pamphlets and tapes considered to be doing knowledge that benefits after death?

Answer:
Yes, without a doubt, the call to Islam is only from the people of knowledge, because the ignorant person is not fit to call others, as he may forbid things or permit things without evidence. Likewise, he may be asked questions and answer them out of ignorance, because he is ignorant. So there is no doubt that the call to Islam is only from the people of knowledge, as Allah the Exalted said: meaning with knowledge; insight is knowledge wisdom is knowledge. The caller must be qualified for the call. But the clear matters—commanding people to pray, commanding them to be dutiful to their parents, commanding them to abandon shirk (associating partners with Allah)—these are clear matters. One forbids them and commands tawhid (the oneness of Allah). But the details are not entered into except by the people of knowledge.