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To be a Dai'ee
proudtobemuslim
03/07/01 at 05:02:19
Assalam-u-Alaikum, Thats what I want to be.  A Dai'ee.  I want to be able to call Muslims and Non-Muslims to Islam with Hikmah and Mauidhatun Hasanah (wisdom and sound preaching, correct?)  I want to learn.  I want to be confident. Where do I start?  What kind of questions should I be prepared for from the Muslims and non-Muslims?  What have been your experiences?  Whats the best method?  Allah (AWJ) help me. Will you help me?  Any good literature on the subject?  What are the topics I should reacquaint myself with so I can answer easily whatever confrontations I experience?  Make Dua' for me.  Please. Jazzakum ullahu Khair Wassalam-u-Alaikum Uzer

Re: To be a Dai'ee
Zahra
03/07/01 at 11:57:52
slm Masha'Allah Uzer...may Allah help you on your endeavor.   Well, dawaa is a science that I don't know enough about so I won't offer too much advice.  All I know is that the Prophet sallahoo alayhe wa salam, and his companions used the Quran a lot (if not all the time) when doing dawaa. I'm sure you could find some literature on this practice.  Also, I find that many times, people are apologetic to non-Muslims when giving dawaa.  For example, they make up excuses for why polygamy or even hijab are allowed.  Don't be apologetic and don't compromise what Islam is to bring others into the din.

Re: To be a Dai'ee
bhaloo
03/07/01 at 12:07:15
slm There is a good book I recommend you get called, "How to Tell Others About Islam" by Yahiya Emerick.  It has different strategies and techniques for different groups.  Also on my web page I have a book up there by Sabeel Ahmed called How To Tell Others About Islam, that's also very helpful, and another book I have is Muhammad in the Bible by a priest that converted to Islam.  There are many famous daiees out there and some of their techniques I don't like at all as they go on the offensive and just take apart the other person's beliefs (which isn't that difficult to do).  Show some compassion, get the person to become your friend, talk about similarities, do it gradually.  The important techniques I have learned is to focus on the similarities, and once you have something in common then you can go from there, insha'Allah.  Being too agressive can turn people away also. Of the famous daiees out there, these two in my opinion are the best, Shabir Ally and Dr. Zakir Naik of India (he actually has an online course you can take, its 30 lessons, its not bad).
NS

Re: To be a Dai'ee
se7en
03/07/01 at 14:28:07
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahmatAllah, I think proudtobemuslim you need to be equipped with a sound base of knowledge.  Studying islam intensively is important, as well as being well versed in other religions theologies and history. There are many different ways to perform daawah, it's not just limited to knocking on doors.  Publishing books, websites, interfaith programs, etc etc... even just being in the public eye, a respected Muslim lawyer, professor, journalist shows Islam in a good light.  I know of one brother who studied Islam academically, is becoming a professor.  Can you imagine the impact of having a Muslim teaching a Comparative Religion class?  I would definitely consider that daawah.  So there are many different roads you can take, basically it's all about showing Islam in a positive light.   So first and foremost study Islam seriously.  You need to have deep knowledge of everything from aqeeda to history to the sciences of the Qur'an to women's rights etc.  It's also very important that you have very strong eman and that your faith is not shaken by the arguments some people bring forth.  That's why it's necessary to be equipped with a lot of knowledge, because that prevents you from getting messed up. Here's something I wrote about daawah a while ago. some tips on daawah  First off, make sure you have both ikhlaas and i'tibaa - sincerity in intention and correction of action. Is your intention truly to bring this person closer to the truth? Or is it to prove him wrong? Or to show off your oratory skills? Make sure your intention is solely for the pleasure of Allah. To bring this person closer to the truth and to guide him to the deen of Allah, al-Islam. And make sure you are performing this daawah in the correct manner, at the proper place and time. - Know what you're talking about. Make sure you have a sound, deep knowledge of what you say. Remember that Rasulullah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, promised a seat in the Hell fire for whoever says a lie about him. Make sure what you say is absolutely correct. Be honest if you don't know. If you do not have a solid knowledge of what you are saying, your contribution may be negative instead of positive. - Have complete faith in what you're saying with no doubt. It is said that what comes from the mouth goes to the ear, but what comes from the heart goes to the heart. The Arabic saying goes, if you do not have it, you cannot give it. If you don't truly believe something, you can't get someone else to. Your sincerity and certainty in your faith plays a large part in your successfulness at daawah. - Practice what you preach. The best daawah is by way of example. Don't discuss the importance of truth and honesty in Islam when you lie and cheat constantly. Make sure your actions express the beautiful beliefs and commands of Islam. Hypocricy turns people away. - Don't compromise Islam or it's beliefs. Don't feel the need to hedge around the truth because it will turn people away. Can men have four wives? Why can't we date? Why don't we accept homosexuality? Don't be apologetic about certain aspects of Islam. Explain it in a way people can understand, but don't change it or act like it's incorrect or archaic. - Do not become angry. Don't let people effect you or cause you to change your conduct. Have adab always. If someone refuses to hear you out, walk away. Don't sink to their level. Allah says in the Qur'an what means, "Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant". He also says what means, "And when they hear vain talk, they turn away therefrom and say: 'To us our deeds, and to you yours; peace be to you: we seek not the ignorant.' It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one whom thou lovest; but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance." Don't waste your time or energy with those who refuse to listen. - Use proper functions. Go to interfaith programs and open discussions. - Stay away from missionaries. This cannot be emphasized enough. Their goal is to take your faith apart and cause you to doubt. Leave the missionaries to those who are trained to deal with them. Missionaries have been trained to seem friendly and willing to learn on the outside, when their sole goal and objective is to cause you to reject Islam. Do not talk to missionaries. Do not open a discussion of Islam with them. Do not visit their sites. Do not waste your time with them. Your time can be used in a much more beneficial way than trying to argue with someone who has been trained to cause you to doubt. - Don't insult the other person's faith. No matter how tempting it would be to talk about the errors and inconsistancies in other people's beliefs, don't do it. It offends people, and will possibly give them a bad impression of Islam. Talk about how Islam is different, and in that perhaps exposing the other belief's errors, but do not openly insult another person's faith. Be respectful. A daawah horror story: a Muslim was speaking at a local high school, and began his speech with: "You're all going to Hell." With that, he lost his whole audience before he even started his speech. - Discuss what makes Islam beautiful to you. Daawah doesn't have to mean repeating the five pillars. Sometimes we are so busy discussing the pillars of Islam we forget the actual building itself. Islam plays a part in every aspect of our lives. Talk about how it plays a role in how you sleep, how you dress, how you speak, how you marry, how you deal with animals, parents, elders, children, the opposite sex. Talk about Islam's respect for women, the concepts of purity or modesty, it's call to reflect and think about the world around us. I know that one brother became Muslim in part because of Islam's respect and honor for nature. Islam is a deen, a whole way of life. Go into more detail then the 9th grade social studies text book. And lastly, have sabr. Your job is not to convert people - it is not an obligation in Islam to make a certain amount of people Muslim. But it is your obligation to call people to Islam, to distinguish between right and wrong. Who is guided and who is not, however, is solely up to Allah. And Allah, the Guide, knows best.

Re: To be a Dai'ee
proudtobemuslim
03/08/01 at 08:26:14
Assalam-u-Alaikum, Jazzakum ullahu Khair all of you.  I really appreciate your help.  So, what do you think is the best way to approach MUSLIMS who are not practicing their religion? Wassalam-u-Alaikum Uzer

Re: To be a Dai'ee
BrKhalid
03/08/01 at 17:09:32
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) With respect to Muslims, I think you should try and find out what is keeping them away from Islam. Kind of like a doctor trying to make a diagnosis from a set of symptoms before he can administer the cure. Once you find the problem, then you can make a decision on how to make the patient better. Let them talk a lot, get a feel of where they're coming from and then formulate a plan as why their logic is incorrect and Inshallah give them convincing answers as to why they should change. Those tips above were great. A pure intention and patience are definately required. Just my two pennies worth
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