dawa essentials
TRANSCRIPT
Dawa Essentials
Why & How of Dawa
By Taha Ghayyur
Dawa Essentials: Definition
The word Dawa in Arabic simply means ‘to invite to something’; the idea of relaying and sharing something.
As an Islamic term, Dawa is understood as "Inviting to the way of peaceful submission to God."
Dawa Essentials: Definition
Tabligh, which means to convey, is another term for Dawa
Caller to Islam is a Daaee or Daaeeyah
In early Islamic literature, Dawa also referred Sharia & Deen (way of life); today, Dawa is often referred to voluntary Islamic work
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
It’s the Mission Statement for Muslims Given By God: “Let there arise among you a group inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. Those are the successful ones.” [3:104]
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
Allah’s Challenge to be better: “Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, does righteous deeds and says indeed I am among the Muslims.” [41:33]
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
Just do it. It’s Prophet’s Command: “Convey from me, even if it be only a single verse.” (Bukhari)
“Learn the required precepts of Islam and the Qur’an, then teach to others, for I will not live forever.” (Bukhari)
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
Better than any Material Success: “For Allah to guide someone by your hand is better for you than having red camels.” (Bukhari)
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
Sadaqa Jariya for this Life & the Next:"Whoever calls to guidance will receive the same reward as the one who follows him without any decrease in the reward of his follower.“(Muslim)
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
Think, See & Breathe Outside the Box:Don’t seal “Islam”, the gorgeous flower, inside a box. Let some sunlight and air in and don’t deprive others from its beauty and benefit. Otherwise it will wilt and die!
Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?
Don’t let others Hijack your Dawa!If you truly love Islam as your way of life, prove it with your actions. Share it with the world! If you don’t tell your story, someone else will!
Dawa Essentials: Common Excuses for Not Doing Dawa
“I do not have enough knowledge to do Dawa.”
“I am a sinful Muslim. Let me practice Islam first.”
“There are hundreds of Muslims not practicing today! We need to first do Dawa to fellow Muslims!”
“I don’t have courage.”
Dawa Essentials: Common Excuses for Not Doing Dawa
“I am not a professional Daaee. My Dawa won’t be useful.”
“I don’t like to push religion on others. We should let everyone believe what they like. Quran says: There is no compulsion in religion.”
“I am too busy.” “There are lots of other
better Daaees out there.”
Dawa Essentials: Before You Hit the Field
Spiritual Preparation: Check your heart! Intent to practice what
you preach Prepare yourself for
the mission of Prophet Muhammad
Remind yourself that you are an Ambassador of Islam
Be humble
Perfection is not the pre-requisite for Dawa
See everyone as a potential Muslim
Ask Allah for refuge from Shaytan and ask Him to purify you from Riya
Stay positive and determined, no matter how many obstacles challenge you
Dawa Essentials: Before You Hit the Field
Mental Preparation: Use Hikmah (wisdom)
in the choosing the time, place, and setting for Dawa
Your job is to convey, not convert
Know your audience & customize your Dawa
Show how Islam can solve their problems
Do not to assume others’ beliefs and never tell them what they believe
Avoid generalization Don’t be distracted by
frivolous, secondary issues. Focus on basics
Focus more on ‘Why’ Think out of the box.
Get creative
Dawa Essentials: Dawa Best Practices
Think beyond Street Dawa. Be a Walking Dawa and be ready to share Islam anywhere!
Explore Soft Dawa. Non-preachy, subtle Dawa (eg. charity & cultural celebrations) goes a long way
Take Dawa to Social Media!
Dawa Essentials: Dawa Best Practices
Presenting a Quran copy may not always be the best first Dawa tool for everyone
Tawhid is crucial, but need to be packaged with issues that matter to their lives
Use appropriate translations for Islamic terms
Dawa Essentials: Dawa Best Practices
There is a time and place for Dawa through debates, literature, open houses, cultural festivals, lectures, booths and street
Specialize in medium & topics of Dawa
Don’t turn into a Dawa crusader!
Dawa Essentials: Dawa Best Practices
Be prepared to address atheists, as many people don’t believe in any faith
Start with common grounds in arguments
Always be personable, professional and welcoming in presentation, manners & gestures
Dawa Essentials: Ready for Hot Buttons & Attacks?
Violence, Terrorism & Jihad
Oppression of Women (Veil, Driving, Forced Marriages, Education, Leadership, Wife-Beating, Honour Killing)
Sharia & Punishment Islam vs. Democracy
Dawa Essentials: Ready for Hot Buttons & Attacks?
Polygamy Religious Tolerance &
Freedom of Expression
Source of Quran Prophet Muhammad’s
Wars & Marriages Muslim = Arab Muslims hate the
West
Dawa Essentials: Beautiful Advice
“Dawa, prior to everything, is a state of mind, a world view, an attitude to life, indeed a kind of life. The critical prerequisite to Dawa is a consciousness, personal and collective, imbued with a true vision of Dawa in Islam.”
- Ustadh Khurram Murad