We know that “Da’wah” means inviting non-muslims to Islam. But the question is how is it done properly?
How should a Muslim talk to a non-Muslim who is interested in Islam?
What “angle” should they take in illuminating their minds on Islam?
Later I would like to share a few ideas that I have forwarded somewhere else in this forum recently. But I would like to see your ideas first.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
They shoot partypoopers, don’t they?
i think that the Word of Allah(SWT) should be our guide....
"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom (hikmah) and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best." (AL-QURAN Surah An-Nahl 16:125)
[This message has been edited by hk (edited November 23, 2000).]
one of the most important and effective ways to dawah is our actions.
I have read tons of stories of muslim converts.....according to most of them, the kindness and humbleness of the Muslims these people observed, one of key things that sparked their interest in Islam.
Alright from an islamic perspective, we give da'wa not only because we want to establish Allah swt's deen wherever we go, but for us as muslim's calling people to islam is an obligation.I mean in surah an-Nisaa, its says: 'Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.'
How you ask?
The best form of da'wa is undertaken by example as opposed to preaching.
When we call people to Islam, we must remember to do so with kindness, gentleness, honesty, compassion, patience, and most importantly with knowledge...one cannot invite people blindly without proper knowledge, proper understanding of islam..there is even a verse, where Allah swt commands the Prophet (saw) to say, 'This is my way; I invite unto Allah with **sure* knowledge...'* (12-108).
Here's something i wrote in answer to another thread a few months ago..
'Inviting people to our places of worship, allowing them to take part/witness our celebrations is a means of showing them islam. Islam does not 'bribe', it does not take the missionary..(ie.evangelistical) approach of christians, to illustrate this point we need not look further than our own backyard...the natives in north america...even south america for that matter.
There is NO force in islam, a desire to believe has to come from within, and faith...IMAN can only come from Allah swt.'
Da'wa is not preaching, its not criticizing...it is showing, by not only our words, but our actions, our manner, our character, our example.
'And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says: 'I am one of the Muslims.'
(41:33)
GFQ: interesting post, jazakallah.
Are you by any chance from UK?
hk and GFQ,
you both raised extremely important points. Is there any further that a Muslim should go?
If there is a non-muslim who is generally interested then what should a muslim say if he doesn't know about a particular issue?
Another question is how would you respond if somebody criticised and attacked Islam directly when talking to you?
They shoot partypoopers, don't they?
If there is a non-muslim who is generally interested then what should a muslim say if he doesn't know about a particular issue?
It's important for the muslim to be careful, especially when he/she does not have full or proper knowledge of the issue concerned. I think there is a hadith (in Muslim) where the Prophet sallallaho alaihe wa sallam says, "It is sufficient falsehood for a person that he narrates everything that he hears" (Muslim). I mean a person who is trying to spread islam has to be careful and knowledgeable of everything he says, hears and reads. Hmmm but wry smile that wasn't what you were asking me. Alright, well then when a person is in that position, he/she can either direct the person to someone who does have knowledge of that issue, or they can provide them with other resources/materials that can help them gain an islamic insight into that particular issue (ie.literature,audio tapes,etc), or the muslim can educate him or herself in regards to that issue and then go back possessing an understanding of the topic/issue and explain to that person whatever it was they wanted to know.
Another question is how would you respond if somebody criticised and attacked Islam directly when talking to you?
There's a verse in surah muzzammil, where..hmm let me just quote the translation. 'Tolerate patiently what (unbelievers) say and part from them in a polite manner.'(73:10) In my opinion that says alot. When someone criticizes islam..you know many ppl take criticism as something negative and it is not necessarily so...if someone criticizes islam, its like a challenge it gives you an opportunity to not only prove them wrong-but to also enlighten them. But if someone says something incorrect then you should correct them...politely and respectfully. If they attack islam then its your position to defend it.
Be moderate, honest, patient, and respectful. Don't let yourself become angry..you should not let people affect you or cause you to change your conduct. If someone refuses to hear you out, walk away---don't sink to their level. There is another verse i want to quote, Allah swt says in the Quran,* 'Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant.'* Remember you have to have patience, your job is not to convert people---thats not what da'wa is about...da'wa is to call people to Islam and that is your obligation...to distinguish between right and wrong. There is no force in islam, a desire to believe has to come from within, and faith...IMAN can only come from Allah swt.
rueful smile hope i answered your q's somewhere in there. No i'm not from the uk.
I agree with HK...be the best muslim you can be and that is the best dawah...no one will understand islam untill it is enacted by someone the right way.
looking muslim, talking muslim, acting muslim...thats what attracts people to ask questions...islam is so beautiful it shows from our actions. Its islam through our actions that is so attractive.