in Dawah activities among non-Muslims in Kuwait. The author provides for the readers authentic Islamic information based on the Noble Quran, sound traditions.
52 pages
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 32A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 32About the Author The author of this book, Zeinab Hassan Ashry, is a computer engineer, who spent 12 years in Islamic studies in Dar Al- da™wah (preaching Islam) in Kuwait for English speaking ladies, Muslims and non-Muslims; she spent decades of her for spreading awareness about Islam. She teaches courses, gives lectures, writes books, articles, and is actively involved in Dawah activities among non-Muslims in Kuwait. The author provides for the readers authentic Islamic information based on the Noble Quran, sound traditions of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), authentic Islamic books and references as well as the opinions of great respected Muslim scholars Table of Contents 1. Introduction 6 2. What is Da™wah? 11How to Deliver Da™wah 12Results are in Allah™s Hand 12Be Consistent in your Da™wah 16Coping with Undesirable Results 18 204. The Ruling of Da™wah 255. Who Should Give Da™wah? 335.2 The Role of Organizations and Institutes 395.3. The Role of Individuals and Small groups: 45Methods of Personalized Da™wah 47The Key for the Success of Personalized Da™wah 48Da‚wah by Example 49Problems of Personalized Da™wah 506. Da™wah should be Delivered Gradually and in Phases 53The Model of the Prophet™s Da™wah 53Guidelines for Priorities of Da™wah 567. The Successful Caller (Dai™ah) 59
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 54A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 548. Manners of Da‚wah 619. Presenting Islam to Non-Muslims 64Da™wah Approaches 6610. Misconceptions about Islam and Stereotyping of Muslims 6810.1 Present Situation 6810.2 The Source of Misconceptions Linked to Islam 6910.3 Muslims Responsibilities 7010.4 Da™wah and Stereotyping of Muslims 731- Education is the answer 742- Removing the Misconceptions 743- Presenting Islamic point of view 754- Exposing the Double Standard 75 5- Establishing Strong Relations with Media 766- Connecting with Non-Muslims 767- Unfolding the underlying Reasons 7811. Specialized Da™wah Institutions 8012. Da™wah Centers 8213. Da™wah and Modern means of Communications 85Electronic da™wah 8614. Our children and Da™wah 8915. Da™wah in History 9216. Could Da™wah fail? 94Test Your Knowledge 97Books of the Author 100Respected Dear Readers 101
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 76A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 761. Introduction I received an urgent phone call to meet with some body who was interested to get some information about Islam. but rather a whole family: father, mother, son and daughter. They have been in Kuwait for only two months.The father was an engineer in the oil company where he Islam that he has accepted it from all his heart within his he was not aware of it. He was working hard with his family to guide them; thanks to Allah his wife and children accepted Islam. He brought all of his family members to get more support and guidance. He encouraged them to ask questions and increase their knowledge about Islam.He wanted to educate himself and his family about Islam in order to be able to make Da™wah in their community after returning to their country. I was amazed how easily this family converted to Islam. in the True one God, Allah. Few years ago, I read a similar amazing story of a French although she had all what she can dream of. She decided to do some thing valuable in her life; she went to Afghanistan to help in the relief efforts for the refugees. There in Afghanistan, she discovered the true Islam. She converted to Islam, put the Hijab, quitted her work as a model, and dedicated the rest of her life for Islam. These enlightening and inspiring stories are happening repeatedly all over the world. As millions of people entered Islam in the past, there are, at present, millions of people from all races, and all nationalities, who have discovered the truth of Islam and found the solace of their souls and comfort of their hearts in its teachings, in spite of the relentless propaganda against it. These new Muslims come from a variety of backgrounds; they include simple people, intellectuals, scientists, priests, and artists, young and old, Christians and Jews, Hindus and Buddhists, as well as atheists.Islam gives them what they were missing; it enlightened their hearts, and made their life meaningful. They found in its guidance answers to their questions and solutions to their problems. They realized that by embracing Islam, they were actually
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 98A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 98reverting to their original pure state in which Allah created them. For this reason, many of the new Muslims see that ‚reverting to Islam™ is actually a more appropriate term for them than ‚converting to Islam™. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S.A and the world according to leading American news agencies (ABC NEWS, CBS NEWS, CNN, US NEWS) and magazines (Angeles Times, YORK TIMES, Seattle Times, and TIMES MAGAZINE)1This fast spread of Islam, in spite of the adverse conditions of the Muslims, is an evidence that Islam is a religion taken care of by Allah, the Almighty. Even with the misunderstanding and bias, Islam is gaining followers every day more than other religions. There are millions of potential Muslims around the world sincerely searching for the truth but they have no access to it; they have no guidance, simply because Muslims are not doing enough.I always ask myself: are not we the carriers of the Last and Final message? Is it not our duty to make the call of Islam reach everywhere in earth? Would Allah (swt) excuse us for not doing enough?It is true that the Muslim Ummah can not, at present time, compete with developed nations in material progress. 1 . See appendix IHowever, Muslims have a lot to contribute for the welfare of humanity. They are the carriers of Allah™s Guidance. Upon their shoulders lies the responsibility of conveying the Truth of Islam, the message of all the prophets of Allah, to all peoples wherever they are. They are entrusted with the task of rescuing humankind from the evil consequences of the disbelief and bringing them to the light of the true faith of monotheism.In fact, what Muslim Ummah can contribute for the welfare of humanity is much more important than food and water. Currently, there are many people, particularly in the developed societies, thirsty for the guidance of Allah. There are millions of people, who are unhappy with their modern give them the spiritual satisfaction they need. These people are in need for sincere Muslims who are capable of bringing them to the Truth of Islam; to a balanced and happy life. Let us not underestimate the power of Islam to win people™s hearts; it is tremendous and beyond our expectation. It is amazing how Islam brings hearts together; one only needs to visit any Islamic Da™wah center and see people who have come to Islam from all religions, cultures, colors and races in harmony and brotherhood; it reminds Muslims with the holy verse: fiIf you had spent all that is in the earth you could not have attuned their hearts, but Allah has attuned them fiQur™an (8-63)
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1110A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1110If Muslims intensify their efforts to portray the true image of Islam and expose its beautiful human nature to mankind, a mass conversion to Islam from among all races would surly happen.Many millions of people from allover the world are expected to embrace Islam in the future; it happened in the past, and it is happening now, and will certainly happen in the future of victory to Muslim Ummah: fiWhen there comes the help of Allah and the victory. And you see people entering the religion of Allah in companies. Then celebrate the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness; surely He is oft-returning. Qur™an (110 Œ 1:3) 2. What is Da™wah? The literal meaning of fiDa™wahfl in Arabic is to invite or call to something. When it is used in combination with Islam it means to invite mankind to submit to Allah willingly, meaning to worship Him alone, follow His Straight Path, and keep away from all sorts of disbeliefs and evil. Allah (swt) says:fiInvite to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching— (Qur™an (16:125) This is the call of Islam: the message, all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah preached the same message to their peoples. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta™ala) says, fiCertainly, We have raised among every nation a Messenger who declared, `Serve Allah and shun false objects of worship.™ Thus were some guided by the earth and see what befell those who rejected their Messengers.fl Qur™an (16 – 36) The ultimate aim of the Da™wah is the total obedience to Allah, sincerely from one™s heart, in his inward and outward, in his private as well as public life.
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1514A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1514Da™wah and abandons his duty. The Dai™ah should not worry about such obstacles because this Da™wah is taken care of by Allah (swt) . He (swt) promised to make its path easy and let it go in spite of the obstacles. As we see, although Muslims are doing almost no effort to spread Islam, Islam is the fastest growing religion in world.fiAnd We will make your way smooth to a state of ease. Therefore do remind, surely reminding unfortunate one will avoid itfl Qur™an (87- 8:11) Allah (swt) would guide through sincere Da™wah those who and are sincerely searching for the truth. And He will turn away from it those who chose to divert from His guidance His mercy. No compulsion in Religion Da™wah is not to allure people or put pressure on them to convert to Islam. The Dai™ah must be aware that his/her job is not to compel people to enter Islam exploiting their needs, weakness, circumstances, or poverty, as it is commonly practiced by the Christian missionaries. Allah subhanahu wa ta™ala said: fiThere is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path.fl Qur™an (2:255).He/She is only responsible to make the Message reach them in clear and appropriate manners but not responsible of forcing them into accepting his call, against their will or inclinations.fiSay: fiObey Allah and obey the Messenger but if you turn away know that he (the Messenger) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (conveying the Message) and you for that placed on you (accepting that). And if you obey him, you shall be rightly guided. fl Qur™an (24- 54:55) Moreover, one has to put in the back of his mind that he/she is not a guardian over people, as Qur™an says: fiIf then they turn away, we have not sent you as a guard over them, and your duty is only to convey (the message).fl Qur™an (42:48 ). fiSo remind them – you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them.fl Qur™an (88 – 21:22) The Dai™ah should respect people™s freedom of thought, expression, and belief. His aim is to help them take the right decision and make the proper choice. His ultimate goal is to enable them to recognize the truth and accept it, and recognize the falsehood and reject it, without exercising any pressure over them.He should do his best to present the truth to them in attractive and convincing manners. He should explain to them the changes it will bring to their life. The Dai™ah should remove the misconceptions about Islam and stress its great principles such as: tolerance, equality of mankind, justice, opposition to all types of exploitations in all their forms, freedom of worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. Islam works to emancipate people from all types of worldly slavery. Islam helps people live a decent, peaceful and happy life. Islamic societies have the
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1716A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1716lowest rates of social evils: crimes, child abuse, domestic abuse, incest, homosexuality, sexual diseases, premarital relationships, extramarital relationships, and the like.Be Consistent in your Da™wah The successful Dai™ah should stick to his Da™wah under all circumstances and never abandon it. If people turn away from the Dai™ah, he/she should exercise more patience and seed he sow, will one day prosper. It is natural, in the course of the Da™wah, to face hardships and obstacles; but this should not make the Da™iah think of mistakes or adopt more forceful methods for Da™wah. The Da™iah has a good example in Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) who faced stubborn resistance from his people, although they were aware that he was truthful in his call. He was sad because of their rejection but it did not make him stop his Da™wah. He felt so sorry for them because they made themselves eligible to a punishment from Allah in this world; and if they die as unbelievers, they would suffer the endless torment of the Fire. In spite of his sadness for them, frustration and despair had no place in his life (pbuh); he always prayed for them: fi O my Lord guide my people for they do not know.fl life experiences, disappointments, or painful events . Prophet natural for him to feel sad because of his people insistence on disbelief. In a number of verses in Qur™an , Allah (swt) consoles His Messenger for his sorrow over them:- fiSo destroy not yourself in sorrow for them.fl Qur™an (35:8) – fiAnd grieve not over them.fl Qur™an (16:127) – fiIt may be that you are going to kill yourself with grief, that they do not become believers.fl Qur™an (26:3) – fiPerhaps, you would kill yourself in grief, over their footsteps, because they believe not in this narration.fl Qur™an (18:3) These verses comforted the Prophet (pbuh); they do not instruct him to repress his natural feelings of sadness but rather advice him not to let their rejection trouble him by intensifying his sorrow for them. The message included in these verses is: fiYour duty is only to continue conveying the Message of Allah to them. Whoever follows the right path, then he does so only for the then he strays at his own loss. So be cautious not to exhaust yourself in grief over those who turn away.fl This message is not only for the Prophet but applies also for every Da™iah. On the light of these verses and the exemplary life of the Prophet (pbuh), the Da™iah should always bring his feelings of sadness, resulted from people™s negative responses, under control. In other words, the Da™iah must acquire the skills of coping successfully with these unpleasant feelings in healthy manners and positive attitudes. He should rise above people™s rejection; and not to let their displeasing responses incapacitate him.
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1918A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 1918Coping with Undesirable Results1) Open Not Doors For Devil If Da™iah was not appreciated, he should not think of himself as inadequate or incompetent for Da™wah. Do not despair and sink into debilitating grief. This is one of the tricks of the devil to make you stop your Da™wah. Maybe one day, those who refuse to respond to your Da™wah, turn to be its strongest supporters by the Will of Allah; this is happening in the present, had happened in the past, and will certainly happen in the future.2) No Place for Guilt There should be no place for guilt in the life of Da™iah so responsible for the results. Allah (swt) says: fiNot upon you (Muhammad) is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills.fl Qur™an (2 – 272). This also applies to all Muslim callers not only prophet Muhammad (pbuh).3) Self EvaluationOf course the Da™iah must always monitor his own Da™wah. He/She should evaluate his or her performance from time to time and determine the actions that could be taken to improve his/her Da™wah methodologies . He/She needs to assess his/her own strengths and weaknesses in each area of Da™wah activities. The Da™iah should learn lessons from his/her mistakes, analyze the causes that may have led to the undesirable results, and then take concrete actions to improve his/her skills. It will be a great help to share your experience of manner. 4) Be Patient and Continue your Da™wah The Da™iah™s attitudes must be balanced. Think positive, and do not allow your negative feelings of sadness or anger diminish your interest in Da™wah. Continue your Da™wah regardless of the adverse reactions you are facing; be careful not to lose interest because people are careless about your activities or respond in improper, impolite, or aggressive ways. Let not people™s inappropriate reactions discourage negative way. In other words, the Da™iah must acquire the skills to cope with these unpleasant feelings in healthy manners and positive attitudes. He/She needs to exercise more patience that the seed he sow, will one day prosper.
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A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 2120A GUIDE TO GIVING DA™WAH TO NON-MUSLIMS 2120 MuslimsDa™wah among non-Muslims occupies a very high rank in Islamic good deeds because it is the heritage of the prophets of Allah, the continuation of their mission, and the core of their message. Islam is for all peoples, not for Muslims only The Muslim Ummah is entrusted with the duties of Da™wah Allah to all mankind. Every prophet before Islam was sent to his people only. And after he left this world, another prophet carried his mission after him. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was not only the last Prophet but was also sent to all peoples; there are no Prophets coming after him to continue preaching the message of Allah as it used to be with previous nations. to mankind after him (pbuh) has been laid on the Muslim nation. Universality of IslamThis universal message of Islam is stressed in the Holy Qur™an in many verses: i) Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was sent as a mercy from Allah to all peoples at all times and ages. This mercy includes all mankind not only Muslims.fiAnd We have not sent you but as a mercy to all the worlds.fl Qur™an (21:107) fiBlessed is He Who sent down the criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all the worldsfl Qur™an (25:1) fiAnd We have not sent you but to all mankind as a bearer of good news and as a warner, but most people do not know.fl Qur™an (34:28) fiSay: fiO mankind! surely I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, of Him Whose is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; there is no god but He; He gives life and causes death; therefore believe in Allah and His Messenger, the illiterate Prophet who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him so that you may be rightly guidedfl Qur™an (7:158) ii) Qur™an is a reminder to all peoples: (38:87) – (68:52) – (81:27): fiIt (Qur™an ) is nothing but a reminder to all peoples.fl Qur™an (38:87) fiAnd you do not ask them for a reward for this; it is no less than a Message to all creatures.fl (Yusuf 12:104) iii) Qur™an is the only scripture that addresses all peoples saying : fiO mankind–.fl. Qur™an calls all mankind to worship Allah alone, and warns them against the evil consequences of rejecting His Message. Here are examples of these verses: fiSay: fiO mankind! surely I am the Messenger of Allah to you all (7:158)mankind! Worship your Guardian-Lord, Who created you and those who came before you, that you may learn righteousness; Qur™an (2-21)
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