Da’wah
Compiled notes of a workshop hosted by Dr. Munir El Kassem

Concept of Da’wah: terms of reference.

Da’wah is an “invitation” or moreover, calling somebody to something. Invite acts as a verb, which indicates that it involves someone who is inviting as well as someone who is being invited.

Da’wah, by one, should be made to others in the following order, yet these circles run parallel, therefore da’wah may be done directly or indirectly to one group before the other.

*But there is a centre to this circle and this centre represents the individual giving da’wah. Invite yourself first; this is a lifetime commitment. If you do not possess something, you cannot give it to others. Educate yourself before others.

Why Make Da’wah?

1. Allah (SWT) told us to
   In Surat Al Imran, it states, “You were the best of nations ever brought out to mankind. That’s your duty.”

If Islam is the best way of life, why lock it in a closet.

2. Because the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was our last messenger, so it is our duty.

3. To keep it dynamic. Every generation will find something new in the Quran to keep our quest dynamic. We continue to dig deep.

4. To improve the image of Islam.

How to we do da’wah

Whether you do silent/passive or active da’wah you must possess 2 qualities to perform proper da’wah. Call to the way of your lord with:

1. Wisdom

2. Good (pleasant) advice.

*There is no single da’wah style but these 2 qualities describe every single style, every way. If da’wah does not have these 2 qualities than it will fail and it could backfire.

Active Da’wah vs. Passive Da'wah


We’ve been conditioned to believe that da’wah is active. Everything a muslim does is associated by action and associated with Islam.

History teaches that the most effective da’wah is passive.
Fitra – the nature of doing good

- each one is born innocent and pure so fitra cannot be bad

- we must work hard to maintain that fitra or good nature

- live Islam and things will start to come out

The prophet (PBUH) started crying and the sahaba asked him ‘why are you crying’ and he said ‘because I miss my beloved’. They said ‘Aren’t we your beloved’ and he said ‘my beloved are those who follow me but cannot see me’.

Passive Da’wah

1. Islamic Dress and Appearance

2. Do not lose your temper

3. Develop your Imam (no recipe for that)

4. BE AN OPTIMIST = Don’t be hard on yourself

5. Say what you do and do what you say

6. Speak less, listen more

7. Initiating/Maintaining relationship with community or with target da’wah group

8. Question your intentions and deeds before being questioned

9. If you keep company of certain people, soon you will be like them

10. Do not put yourself in a questionable position

11. Monitor yourself

Characteristics of a Da’wah Worker

1. The da’wah worker should have adequate knowledge

2. Does not resort to personal knowledge unless he/she has exhausted all other proper steps of reaching conclusions (must establish that etiquette of difference and should have proper Islamic terminology)

3. Do not overwhelm audience

4. Da’wah worker has a big heart and loves others

5. Loves all people, hates nobody, may feel sorry for them, continues pulling and finding hope or think that there is still hope (is in the business of winning hearts not in the business of winning arguments)

6. Always be humble; if you don’t know the answer then you should refer it to someone who knows more (If someone says ‘I don’t know’ it is equivalent to giving a fatwa)

7. May be contented with doing da’wah at there individual level (recognizes his/her limitations)

8. Confidentiality of information

9. Nothing wrong in getting specialized field in da’wah

10. Do not rush, plan your strategy

Sources of seeking knowledge

- Quran
- Hadith
- Analogy
- Consensus
- Igtihad (fatwa)

Common Tips on Da’wah

(involves the actual da’wah)

1. Do not preach (if you are asked a question answer the question but do not go into detail).

2. Don’t give the impression that you are insecure about Islam or that you have to defend Islam. Put yourself in the ‘in control’ mode, always take control of the discussion – do not be aggressive.

3. Show others around you that you are interested (you don’t have to start da’wah work by talking about Islam).

4. Never attack anything that others stand for. Respect what others are doing, but stand up for who you are and what you represent. The prophet (PBUH) never attacked his enemies with words.

5. Don’t spend all your time convincing them that the Quran is the only true words of God. You may take things out of the Quran without even saying that it is from there. The Quran says “And we have created the heavens with power and we are causing the heavens to expand.”

6. You should know in what circumstances you should give da’wah. Choose the right time, place, etc. to give da’wah.

Methodology of Da’wah

a) Personal approach: To another individual
b) Personal approach: To a group
c) Regular classes
d) Lectures and seminars
e) Displays
f) Adequate literature (be critical before taking responsibility)
g) Media outlets
h) Electronic mail

Always have a balance. ‘ You are the nation of balance, once you lose that balance you lost the ability to do da’wah work’.

Da’wah on Campus

- Always smile
- Answer questions after class or when you have a sufficient amount of time and always act as if you are in control
- Be on good terms with your professors and colleagues
- Build a relationship with others first so that they trust you and trust your advice

Da’wah through involvement in non-muslim areas of concern
It is important to get involved in the community. We must not plant in the minds of non-muslims that we are all about religion. We must be apart of parent teaching associations, blood donor clinics, food banks, etc.

Conclusion

Live as a Muslim and know that Allah (SWT) is watching.
Learn and Apply, begin with doing da’wah to yourself.
Faith goes with action, build faith with knowledge, and develop your knowledge.

Islam is the best way of life, enlighten yourself and invite others so that they may live this way of life.