Dawah needs hard work, pure intention
Raashid Ul Nabi Khan
Daee is a person who invites people to understand Islam. I would like to provide few tips about how to become an effective
Daee.
You write about Islam and can cater a website or blog. By writing, you can propagate about Islam. You can visit Google and can go through authentic Islamic websites to increase your knowledge. You can also give Islamic literature to Muslims and non-Muslims so that they are guided towards Islam. You can also give authentic addresses of websites to Muslims and non-Muslims such as Islamqa so that they can be benefited.
To demonstrate Islam practically, you can be a regular visitor to the mosque to offer Salah and you can grow beard and put your pants above ankles. For girls, they can wear hijab in order to demonstrate Islam practically.
We should always call people with love and mercy, greet them
Salam and take care of your fellow beings. You should always show good morals to the poor, needy, orphans, widows, oppressed, children etc.
Internet can be the best and most powerful tool which can help us in spreading Islam among the people. On should obey Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in word and indeed. You can use your talent and combine it with Islamic concept whether you are doctor, lawyer or belong to any other profession.
One should only propagate those things about Islam which one has full knowledge of. First read and understand Quran and Hadith and then propagate it accordingly. Be strict in following Quran and hadith and it will definitely help in Dawah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Seeking of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.” (IbnMajah, 1/224. Tirmidhi 218).
Allah Almighty praised those who have knowledge and asked a question to such people. “Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?” (39:9)
“Allah will raise up, to ranks those of you who believe and have been granted knowledge,” (58:11).
Daee should not hide knowledge, Allah (SWT) says in Quran:
“Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which we have sent down, after we have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers,” (Quran, al-Baqarah: 159) Prophet (PBUH) has stated:
“Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the branding iron from the hellfire,” (Ahmad) Do not call people to any group or sects call them to Islam that is the best way to display Islam at global level.
Daee must have strong belief. He should know what he is calling to which is Quran and hadith.
Daee must have sincerity and his intentions must be pure while propagating Islam. He should be knowledgeable person and should have in-depth hold on Quran and hadith.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said , “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately,” (SahihBukhari 8/470). Daee should practise what he preaches and demonstrate Islam practically in his life in order to be and effective Daee . He should be aware of various socio economic issues of the society as well and should be able to solve any problem according to Quran and hadith.
Daee should always use wisdom ( hikmah) in Dawah and should display good manners and practice patience. Daee should be able to hide the short-comings of others and should not disclose weakness in public of any person.
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided,” (Verse 16:125).
Daee should maintain the balanced approach in order to give equal respect to all sections of the society whether poor or rich, old or young. The essential characteristic of Daee is to cooperate with other Daees and
Dawah organizations so that peace and harmony is maintained in the society.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam),” (SahihBukhari-Book 3, Number 69).
Daee should kept in mind this verse while giving Dawah: “And who is better in speech than he who (says: ‘My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness),’ and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and) invites (men) to Allah (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: ‘I am one of the Muslims,” (Quran, Fussilat: 33).
Regarding reward to a Daee, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said: “Whoever guides (another) to a good deed will get a reward similar to the one who performs it,” (Sahih Muslim) Also: “By Allah, if Allah were to guide one man through you it would be better for you than the best type of camels,” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Giving Dawah to non-Muslims is not an easy task; it needs hard work and proper knowledge of the texts. While giving Dawah to a Christian, you can quote from Bible. For instance, you can choose a topic concept of God, you can quote verses from Bible to prove the oneness of God and you can also prove that Jesus is not a God but a prophet of God.
A Daee can quote some statements from Bible for instance:
“My Father is greater than I,” [The Bible, John 14:28]. “My Father is greater than all,” [The Bible, John 10:29]. “…I cast out devils by the Spirit of God….” [The Bible, Mathew 12:28]. “…I with the finger of God cast out devils….” [The Bible, Luke 11:20]. “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my Judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me,” [The Bible, John 5:30].
Similarly, when you interact with Hindu you can quote from Vedas to prove oneness of God. Vedas are considered the most sacred of all the Hindu scriptures.
There are four principal Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda and Atharvaveda. The following verses from the Yajurveda echo a similar concept of God:
“natasyapratimaasti”—–”There is no image of Him,” [Yajurveda 32:3];
“shudhamapoapvidham” “He is bodyless and pure,” [Yajurveda 40:8]; “Andhatamapravi
shanti ye asambhutimupaste” “They enter darkness, those who worship the natural elements,” (Air, Water, Fire, etc.); “They sink deeper in darkness, those who worship sambhuti,” [Yajurveda40:9] Sambhuti means created things, for example table, chair, idol, etc.
The Yajurveda contains the following prayer, “Lead us to the good path and remove the sin that makes us stray and wander,” [Yajurveda 40:16].Similarly, you can quote verses from Rigveda, Atharvavedaetc in order to give a Hindu a concept of God.
One thing a Daee should kept in mind that his or her aim should not compel a non-Muslim; instead they (non-Muslims) should take their decision out of free will. There should be no pressure on them whatsoever.
When you choose to give Dawah to any non-Muslim, first of all know his background; know about his profession, family, and friends so that it will help you in Dawah . Never quote from Quran or Hadith to a non-Muslim straightaway but first begin with brochures and small booklets, when they will complete small booklets then give them a copy of Qur’an and a book on the biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for instance , “The Sealed Nectar”.
Do not get emotional while talking to a non-Muslim about Islam; also don’t be insulting but be kind, humble and gentle in approach. Do Dawah with patience when you choose a topic to present before a non-Muslim, present it in a very simple manner so that non-Muslims can understand Quran and Hadith easily.
When you interact with the non-Muslim let him take his own time and experience, give him space to think rationally and logically. Daee should exchange his ideas about Islam and conversation should be real, it should be like a dialogue.
Some non-Muslims have little understanding about Islam but their belief is very near to the Islamic values. Sometimes, there are five to ten persons in a group, give them simple talk on Islam and comparative religion and follow it with a question and answer session so that misconceptions can be removed. A Daee can also give them small booklets on Islam and comparative religion.
Many a times you can debate with the non-Muslim but the main purpose of the debate should be to win the heart and mind of a non-Muslim rather than to win only arguments.
A Daee can give free copies of Islamic literature and also provide them with addresses of different Dawah organisations which are present in your city so that a non-Muslim can get benefit from it.
“And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): ‘We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One (that is Allah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims),”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:46].
The main aim should be to present beauty of Islam such as oneness of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the final messenger of Allah. Do not invite a non-Muslim to any particular sect or a group rather invite him to Islam. Convey the message of Islam in a universal way and tell a non-Muslim that we are here on this earth only to worship Allah (SWT).
Comparing Islam with other religions, you stick to explain the teachings of Islam, tell a non-Muslim that Islam covers all the aspects of life. Prove your point that Islam is the way of life whenever you interact with a non-Muslim.
Do not be afraid of criticism rather accept criticism with open heart and remove the misconceptions with wisdom ( Hikmah) so that you are able to win the heart of a non-Muslim.
Giving Dawah to a non-Muslim in the street is indeed most challenging, many a times you face hostile reaction, you should hear with patience.
Allah says in the Quran: “{O Prophet), call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and reason with them in the best manner possible. Surely, your Lord knows best who has strayed away from His path, and He also knows well those who are guided to the right way,” (An-Nahl 16:125).
You can also use social networking in order to interact with non-Muslim by creating a Facebook page exclusively for non-Muslim. Your Facebook page should update daily Islamic notes, videos, links etc.
Dawah is a duty which we all should take up to the best of our ability in order to please Allah (SWT). Do not wait doing Dawah to a non-Muslim who knows your one word from Quran and Hadith can change the life of a non-Muslim?
“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (that is Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful,” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104].
To become a Muslim simply declare: “Ash-haduanlaailaahaillallaahwa Ash-haduaana muhammadan abduhu warasulah,” (I testify there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah and i testify Muhammad is His slave and messenger.)
(The author holds masters in political science along with B.Ed. He is a member at JKIFTS Council of writers)
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