dawah in american context

It is an ObligationIt is an Obligation

InviteInvite all to the way of your Lord with all to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best (Q argue with them in ways that are best (Q 16, V 125)16, V 125)Now then, for that (reason) Now then, for that (reason) callcall (them to (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded…..(Q42, V 15)commanded…..(Q42, V 15)To every people have We appointed rites To every people have We appointed rites which they must follow: Let them not then which they must follow: Let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do dispute with you on the matter, but do thou thou InviteInvite them to thy Lord for thou are them to thy Lord for thou are assuredly on the Right Way (Q22, V67) assuredly on the Right Way (Q22, V67)

Qura’an

It is an ObligationIt is an Obligation

“ “ I command you to tell on my behalf, even I command you to tell on my behalf, even if it is only one verse from Qura’an” if it is only one verse from Qura’an” (Bukhary)(Bukhary)

“ “ By Allah, if a single person is guided by By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will better for you Allah through you, it will better for you than the red camels” (Agreed upon)than the red camels” (Agreed upon)

““He is not from us the one that have no He is not from us the one that have no mercy on our young ones and have no mercy on our young ones and have no respect on our elders and doesn’t enjoin respect on our elders and doesn’t enjoin what is good and forbids what is bad”what is good and forbids what is bad”

Sunnah

Importance of Da’wah to Importance of Da’wah to AllahAllah

The duty of the last messengerThe duty of the last messenger

– ““and as one who invites to Allah, by and as one who invites to Allah, by His Leave” (Qur’an: Al-Ahzab 33:46)His Leave” (Qur’an: Al-Ahzab 33:46)

The duty of all the messengersThe duty of all the messengers

– ““We have sent among every nation a We have sent among every nation a messenger proclaiming: Worship Allah messenger proclaiming: Worship Allah and avoid false deities” (Qur’an: An-and avoid false deities” (Qur’an: An-Nahl 16:36)Nahl 16:36)

The duty of the Muslim nationThe duty of the Muslim nation

– ““Say: This is my way, I invite unto Allah Say: This is my way, I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and whoever with sure knowledge, I and whoever follows me” (Qur’an: Yusuf 12:108)follows me” (Qur’an: Yusuf 12:108)


Its reward is greatIts reward is great

– ““Whoever calls to guidance, receives its Whoever calls to guidance, receives its reward and the rewards of those who reward and the rewards of those who followed him” (Hadith)followed him” (Hadith)

The prophet (PBUH) ordered The prophet (PBUH) ordered

– ““Whoever sees an evil should change it”Whoever sees an evil should change it”People are in loss without da’eahPeople are in loss without da’eah

– ““By the time, man is in loss. Except By the time, man is in loss. Except those who believe and do righteous those who believe and do righteous deeds and recommend one another to deeds and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another the truth and recommend one another to patience” (Qur’an: Al-Asr 103)to patience” (Qur’an: Al-Asr 103)


Distinguishes the believers from hypocrites Distinguishes the believers from hypocrites –The believers, men and women, are The believers, men and women, are supporters of one another; they enjoin supporters of one another; they enjoin Al-Maruf and forbid from Al-Munkar” Al-Maruf and forbid from Al-Munkar” (Qur’an: At-tawba 9:71) (Qur’an: At-tawba 9:71)

–The hypocrites, men and women, are The hypocrites, men and women, are one from another; they enjoin Al-Munkar one from another; they enjoin Al-Munkar and forbid from Al-Maruf” (Qur’an: At-and forbid from Al-Maruf” (Qur’an: At-tawba 9:67)tawba 9:67)

The most noble taskThe most noble task–““And who is better in speech than And who is better in speech than he who invites unto Allah, and does he who invites unto Allah, and does righteous deeds, and says: I am one righteous deeds, and says: I am one of the Muslims” (Qur’an: Fussilat of the Muslims” (Qur’an: Fussilat 41:33)41:33)


Allah (SWT) punishes for neglecting da’wahAllah (SWT) punishes for neglecting da’wah

– ““Those among the children of Israel Those among the children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawoud and Isa, son of tongue of Dawoud and Isa, son of Maryam. That was because they Maryam. That was because they disobeyed and were transgressors. disobeyed and were transgressors. They used not to forbid one another They used not to forbid one another from munkar which they committed. from munkar which they committed. Vile indeed was what used to do” Vile indeed was what used to do” (Qur’an Al-Ma’ida 5:78-79)(Qur’an Al-Ma’ida 5:78-79)

– ““If people see a wrong doer and they do If people see a wrong doer and they do not prevent him, Allah will soon punish not prevent him, Allah will soon punish them” (Hadith)them” (Hadith)


Most of what people utter is not Most of what people utter is not good except few things that good except few things that include da’wahinclude da’wah

–““There is no good in most There is no good in most of their secret talks save of their secret talks save him who orders sadaqa or him who orders sadaqa or ma’ruf or conciliation ma’ruf or conciliation among mankind” among mankind” (Qur’an: An-Nisa’ 4:114)(Qur’an: An-Nisa’ 4:114)

Excuses for not doing Dawah.Excuses for not doing Dawah.

I am not knowledgeable.I am not knowledgeable.

We should work on ourselves and MuslimsWe should work on ourselves and Muslims

Religion is a personal thing.Religion is a personal thing.

I don’t have time.I don’t have time.

I may loose friends/job/customers.I may loose friends/job/customers.

I feel embarrassed.I feel embarrassed.

I shall do it when I get old and retired.I shall do it when I get old and retired.

Daiyah’s Character.Daiyah’s Character.

Individual’s character speaks volumes.Individual’s character speaks volumes.Intention to please Allah(SWT).Intention to please Allah(SWT).Good listener.Good listener.Never curses/lies/breaks promises.Never curses/lies/breaks promises.Good student/employee/employer/---Good student/employee/employer/---Kindness and decency.Kindness and decency.Patience.Patience.Goes out of the way to helpl.Goes out of the way to helpl.Optimistic.Optimistic.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF A GOOD BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF A GOOD DAI.DAI.

Has clear concept of Tauhid and can present it Has clear concept of Tauhid and can present it from Quran, Bible and logic.from Quran, Bible and logic.

Can prove Quran’s divine origin.Can prove Quran’s divine origin.

Can present evidence on Prophet Mohammad’s Can present evidence on Prophet Mohammad’s prophethood.prophethood.

Can present clear and concise picture of Islam Can present clear and concise picture of Islam as compared to christianity.as compared to christianity.

Aware of Islamic history, secular civilization and Aware of Islamic history, secular civilization and current events and what Islam says about them.current events and what Islam says about them.

Things a Dai should have available.Things a Dai should have available.

Copies of Quran and Bible.Copies of Quran and Bible.

Islamic literature answering questions Islamic literature answering questions raised.raised.

Pamphelets and booklets.Pamphelets and booklets.

Audios and videos.Audios and videos.

Folders with relevant references and Folders with relevant references and telephone numbers and websites.telephone numbers and websites.

Some guiding principles for Some guiding principles for dialogue.dialogue.

Invite with wisdom, beautiful advice and discuss Invite with wisdom, beautiful advice and discuss in the best way. ( 16:125)in the best way. ( 16:125)Before answering ask,” What do you really Before answering ask,” What do you really mean.”mean.”Don’t answer y/n give background.Don’t answer y/n give background.Be extra polite even in the heat of debate.Be extra polite even in the heat of debate.Don’t get sidetracked.Don’t get sidetracked.Convey message of Tauhid and do not get Convey message of Tauhid and do not get bogged down in Biblical and social issues.bogged down in Biblical and social issues.Know answer to 20 frequently asked question.Know answer to 20 frequently asked question.

Frequently asked question.Frequently asked question.

About Islam: About Islam: 1.1. Who wrote Quran?Who wrote Quran?2.2. Who was Mohammad? His marriages?Who was Mohammad? His marriages?3.3. Who is Allah?Who is Allah?4.4. Status of women in Islam and permission Status of women in Islam and permission

for 4 wives.for 4 wives.5.5. Islam versus violence and terrorism.Islam versus violence and terrorism.6.6. Position of Jesus in Islam.Position of Jesus in Islam.

Questions relevant to christianity.Questions relevant to christianity.

Bible. Who wrote it, its contradictions and its Bible. Who wrote it, its contradictions and its corruption.corruption.Jesus.Jesus.Crucifiction.Crucifiction.Trinity.Trinity.Original sin.Original sin.Atonement and redemption.Atonement and redemption.Second coming of Jesus.Second coming of Jesus.Sects of christianitySects of christianity

Da’wah to Individuals or the Da’wah to Individuals or the public?public?

Da’wah of the Da’wah of the massesmasses–Features:Features:

Reaches a large Reaches a large audience,audience,

has small effecthas small effect


Personal contact (Da’wah Personal contact (Da’wah Fardiyya)Fardiyya)

–Features:Features:reaches selected reaches selected individuals, individuals,

increases the membership, increases the membership,

has deep and lasting has deep and lasting effect.effect.


Both outreach Both outreach methods are methods are neededneeded

A balance between A balance between the two methods is the two methods is neededneeded

Objectives of Da’wah FardiyyaObjectives of Da’wah Fardiyya

Building a Building a righteos righteos individual who individual who is ready to is ready to work for work for IIslam slam within a groupwithin a group

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the following Instilling the following conceptsconcepts

–CreedCreedbelief in Allah and proper belief in Allah and proper understanding of Allah’s understanding of Allah’s names and attributes,names and attributes,

belief in the messengers belief in the messengers and miracles of prophet and miracles of prophet Muhammad (PBUH),Muhammad (PBUH),

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the following conceptsInstilling the following concepts

–CreedCreedbelief in Allah’s books and belief in Allah’s books and that all what came in the that all what came in the Qur’an and authentic Qur’an and authentic sunnah is the truth, sunnah is the truth,

belief in the hereafter, its belief in the hereafter, its signs and events,signs and events,

belief in the divine decree. belief in the divine decree.

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the following conceptsInstilling the following concepts–Ideological concepts:Ideological concepts:

Islam is the final truth,Islam is the final truth,Islam is a comprehensive Islam is a comprehensive system,system,Islam is the solution to our Islam is the solution to our problems,problems,Islam is distinct,Islam is distinct,All the 20 principles of All the 20 principles of Fahm by Imam Hassan Fahm by Imam Hassan Albanna.Albanna.

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the following conceptsInstilling the following concepts

–Movement concepts:Movement concepts:It is mandatory to work for It is mandatory to work for Islam collectively,Islam collectively,

The loyalty should be to the The loyalty should be to the Islamic movement,Islamic movement,

The objectives, attitudes The objectives, attitudes and methods of the Islamic and methods of the Islamic movement.movement.

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the following behaviorsInstilling the following behaviors

–Ibada and Islamic characters Ibada and Islamic characters (khuluq):(khuluq):

performing the mandatory acts performing the mandatory acts and avoiding the forbidden and avoiding the forbidden acts,acts,

the wife dresses Islamicly,the wife dresses Islamicly,

basic Islamic characters: basic Islamic characters: truthfulness, courage, truthfulness, courage, generosity, etc. generosity, etc.


–Loyalty:Loyalty:loyalty (wala’) to the jama’a,loyalty (wala’) to the jama’a,

no loyalty (bara’) to people of no loyalty (bara’) to people of kufr and deviations,kufr and deviations,

respect of the jama’a regulations,respect of the jama’a regulations,

obedience to the jama’a obedience to the jama’a leadership,leadership,

correct intentions for joining the correct intentions for joining the jama’a.jama’a.


–Lack of psychological diseases Lack of psychological diseases that interfere in the ability to that interfere in the ability to function within a group:function within a group:

pessimism,pessimism,

depression,depression,

fear,fear,

sensitivity,sensitivity,

disorientation,disorientation,

etc.etc.

Steps of Da’wah FardiyyaSteps of Da’wah FardiyyaKnowing the personKnowing the personGaining his friendship and trustGaining his friendship and trustAwakening Iman in himAwakening Iman in himInstilling correct ibada and charactersInstilling correct ibada and charactersInstilling the comprehensiveness of ibada Instilling the comprehensiveness of ibada and Islamand IslamConvincing him that Da’wah is mandatoryConvincing him that Da’wah is mandatoryConvincing him that collective action is Convincing him that collective action is mandatorymandatoryConvincing him that the he should join Convincing him that the he should join Islamic movementIslamic movementNominating him for regular membership Nominating him for regular membership ICNA/MASICNA/MAS

Knowing the personKnowing the person

We need to know:We need to know:

–Name, address, Name, address, specialization, workspecialization, work

–Life historyLife history–Capabilities and attributesCapabilities and attributes–Ideological and Ideological and educational backgroundeducational background

–House and friendsHouse and friends

Knowing the PersonKnowing the Person

We get the We get the information through:information through:

–ExperienceExperience–HimHim–The jama’aThe jama’a

Gaining his Friendship and Gaining his Friendship and TrustTrust

Show love and compassionShow love and compassion

Offer helpOffer help

Share in happy and sad occasionsShare in happy and sad occasions

Visits and invitationsVisits and invitations

GiftsGifts

Address him in a nice mannerAddress him in a nice manner

ListeningListening

Love for him what you love for Love for him what you love for yourselfyourself

Awakening Iman in himAwakening Iman in himMajor problems with people:Major problems with people:

–Ignorance about AllahIgnorance about Allah–Rejection of submission to Rejection of submission to HimHim

–Attachment to this worldAttachment to this world–Heedlessness about the Heedlessness about the hereafterhereafter

–Rejection of the hereafterRejection of the hereafter

Awakening Iman in himAwakening Iman in himMajor cure:Major cure:

–Belief in Allah as Rab and Belief in Allah as Rab and the only Ilahthe only Ilah

–Rejection of TaghootRejection of Taghoot–Detachment from this Detachment from this worldworld

–Attachment to the Attachment to the hereafterhereafter

This means: Taghyeeb Al-Hadhir wa Ihdhar Al-Gha’ib

Awakening Iman in himAwakening Iman in himBasics of Da’wah: Stress onBasics of Da’wah: Stress on–Belief in Allah as Rab Belief in Allah as Rab and the only Ilahand the only Ilah

–Belief in Prophet Belief in Prophet MuhammadMuhammad

–Resurrection after deathResurrection after death–Importance of righteous Importance of righteous deeds in order to avoid deeds in order to avoid the Hellfirethe Hellfire

Awakening Iman in himAwakening Iman in him

Basics of Da’wah:Basics of Da’wah:

–Do not waste time Do not waste time on side issues if on side issues if they delay instilling they delay instilling the aqeeda in the the aqeeda in the heartheart

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the aqeeda:Instilling the aqeeda:–Showing Allah’s great Showing Allah’s great creation in birds, plantscreation in birds, plants

plants grow from dust and plants grow from dust and water,water,

differ in leaves, color, fruits, differ in leaves, color, fruits, taste though it is receiving taste though it is receiving same dust and water,same dust and water,

scientists cannot create one scientists cannot create one wheat seedwheat seed

This translates intoThis translates intoInstilling the aqeeda:Instilling the aqeeda:–Presenting other aspects of Presenting other aspects of aqeedaaqeeda

belief in the hereafter and being belief in the hereafter and being accountable for our deedsaccountable for our deeds

purpose of creation is purpose of creation is submission to Allahsubmission to Allah

Correct aqeeda is necessary for Correct aqeeda is necessary for happiness in this life and the happiness in this life and the hereafterhereafter

This translates intoThis translates into

Instilling the aqeeda:Instilling the aqeeda:–Presenting other Presenting other aspects of aqeedaaspects of aqeeda

the real achievement is the real achievement is winning paradisewinning paradise

the prophet’s advice to the prophet’s advice to Ibn Abbas: “Ihfadhil-laha Ibn Abbas: “Ihfadhil-laha yahfadhk …”yahfadhk …”

This translates intoThis translates into

Instilling the aqeeda:Instilling the aqeeda:–Useful booksUseful books

Meaning of the Qur’an: Juz’ Meaning of the Qur’an: Juz’ 2828

To Be a MuslimTo Be a Muslim

General Introduction to IslamGeneral Introduction to Islam

Forty Hadiths of An-NawawiForty Hadiths of An-Nawawi

In the Shade of the Qur’an: In the Shade of the Qur’an: Juz’ 30Juz’ 30

Instilling correct Ibada and Instilling correct Ibada and CharactersCharacters

The goal in this stage is:The goal in this stage is:

–Knowing Knowing obligatory ibadatobligatory ibadat

–Practicing ibadatPracticing ibadat–Avoiding sinsAvoiding sins–Practicing Islamic Practicing Islamic characterscharacters


This is done through:This is done through:–regular contactsregular contacts–choosing his friendschoosing his friends–isolating the bad influencesisolating the bad influences–mosque atmospheremosque atmosphere–being a good examplebeing a good example–reading about life of the reading about life of the messenger(PBUH) and messenger(PBUH) and righteous peoplerighteous people


This is done through:This is done through:

–advice indirectlyadvice indirectly–suggestions, not suggestions, not ordersorders

–face savingface saving–praise good deedspraise good deeds–encourageencourage


This is done through:This is done through:

–du’adu’a–gradual stepsgradual steps–patiencepatience–consultationconsultation


Useful booksUseful booksTo Be a MuslimTo Be a Muslim

Forty Hadiths of Forty Hadiths of An-NawawiAn-Nawawi

Light of CervitudeLight of Cervitude

Fiqhus-SunnahFiqhus-Sunnah

Instilling Comprehensiveness of Ibada Instilling Comprehensiveness of Ibada and Islamand IslamIn this stage we stress on:In this stage we stress on:

–Ibada is prayer, fasting, zakat Ibada is prayer, fasting, zakat and haj, and also includesand haj, and also includes

eatingeating

dressingdressing

workwork

marriagemarriage

physical exercisesphysical exercises

taking care of otherstaking care of others

etcetc


–Actions become Actions become ibada whenibada when

done as obedience to done as obedience to Allah: right intentionAllah: right intention

and they are and they are according to shari’aaccording to shari’a


–Islam is a Islam is a comprehensive system. comprehensive system. It covers:It covers:

ibadaibada

aqeedaaqeeda

khuluqkhuluq

mu’amalatmu’amalat


–Proper aqeeda requiresProper aqeeda requireslove of Allah, fear and hope in love of Allah, fear and hope in Allah (SWT)Allah (SWT)

trust in Allah (SWT)trust in Allah (SWT)

following the messenger (PBUH)following the messenger (PBUH)

love of the messenger (PBUH) love of the messenger (PBUH) and his companions and his companions


–Essential Halal and Essential Halal and Haram itemsHaram items

–Attributes of IslamAttributes of Islam–Shortcomings of non-Shortcomings of non-Islamic systemsIslamic systems

–Refuting misconceptionsRefuting misconceptions


–Islam is distinctIslam is distinct–Balanced personalityBalanced personality–Islam’s attitude and Islam’s attitude and solutions to contemporary solutions to contemporary problemsproblems

–Selection of the books to Selection of the books to readread


–Essential concepts:Essential concepts:Deeds are according to intentionsDeeds are according to intentions

avoiding bid’aavoiding bid’a

nationalism stinksnationalism stinks

no loyalty to people of kufr and no loyalty to people of kufr and bid’abid’a

preferring the hereafterpreferring the hereafter

following the authentic hadithsfollowing the authentic hadiths

etc etc

Instilling Comprehensiveness of Ibada Instilling Comprehensiveness of Ibada and Islamand Islam

Useful booksUseful booksGeneral Introduction General Introduction to Islamto Islam

To Be a MuslimTo Be a Muslim

Forty Hadiths of An-Forty Hadiths of An-NawawiNawawi

Zad Alat-TareeqZad Alat-Tareeq

Convincing him that Da’wah is Convincing him that Da’wah is mandatorymandatoryIn this stage we stress on:In this stage we stress on:

–Islam is a system to be Islam is a system to be establishedestablished

–Concern for the affairs of Concern for the affairs of the muslimsthe muslims

–Feeling an urge to work for Feeling an urge to work for Allah (SWT)Allah (SWT)

–Obligation of da’wahObligation of da’wah

Individuals sought for Personal Individuals sought for Personal ContactContact

““In a hundred In a hundred camels, you rarely camels, you rarely find one fast-find one fast-running she-camel” running she-camel” (Hadith: Al- (Hadith: Al-Bukhari)Bukhari)


We seek individuals with We seek individuals with many of these features:many of these features:

–ActiveActive–CreativeCreative–ProductiveProductive–BraveBrave


–InfluentialInfluentialsocially,socially,

ideologically,ideologically,

politicallypolitically


–With good personal With good personal attributesattributes

clever,clever,

helpful,helpful,

open minded,open minded,

flexible,flexible,

forgiving,forgiving,

trustworthytrustworthy


–Undesirable personal Undesirable personal attributesattributes

arrogance,arrogance,

argumentation,argumentation,

violence,violence,

pessimism,pessimism,

disrespect of rulesdisrespect of rules

Road to SuccessRoad to SuccessModeling before invitingModeling before invitingRepresenting before presentingRepresenting before presentingWinning hearts before disseminating Winning hearts before disseminating knowledgeknowledge– Invitation is for a causeInvitation is for a cause– Be gentleBe gentle– Love goodness for himLove goodness for him– Don’t be pickyDon’t be picky– Discuss and dialogueDiscuss and dialogue– Advise in privateAdvise in private– GiftsGifts– Motivate himMotivate him– Avoid Fiqhy differencesAvoid Fiqhy differences

Road to SuccessRoad to Success

Explain and disseminate information Explain and disseminate information before assigning dutiesbefore assigning duties

Be Gradual in assigning dutiesBe Gradual in assigning duties

Be easy, not harshBe easy, not harsh

Be simple, not complicatedBe simple, not complicated

Emphasize basics, not detailsEmphasize basics, not details

Emphasize reward before punishmentEmphasize reward before punishment

Reason up Reason up

Strong Tarbiyyah foundation Strong Tarbiyyah foundation

ConclusionConclusionDawah is mandatory on Muslims especially Dawah is mandatory on Muslims especially members of Islamic movement members of Islamic movement The reward of Dawah is so greatThe reward of Dawah is so greatBoth public Dawah as well as Dawah for Both public Dawah as well as Dawah for individuals are neededindividuals are neededDawah need great organized and continuous Dawah need great organized and continuous efforteffortDawah is an art and Muslim workers should Dawah is an art and Muslim workers should master itmaster itProper Dawah for individuals brings best results Proper Dawah for individuals brings best results for the movementfor the movementQura’an and Sunnah provides wonderful Qura’an and Sunnah provides wonderful guidelines for Dawah principles and techniques guidelines for Dawah principles and techniques

QuestionsQuestions

?

dawah in american context

Spiritual

allah allah swt

dawah ila allah

importance of dawah

worship allah

neglecting dawah

almaruf quran

almunkar quran

muslims quran