WhyIslam Da’wah Worker Etiquettes & Guidelines

1. WhyIslam Da’wah Worker Etiquettes & Guidelines Da’wah Worker Training Series – Volume 1 WhyIslam West

2. About this presentation • The purpose of Da’wah is to call to the way of Allah (swt), with wisdom and good advice, in a manner that pleases Allah (swt), for the sake of Allah • It is not about “winning” an argument or putting down the other faith • The intent of this presentation is to: • Define and explain the importance of Da’wah in Islam • Describe the characteristics of a Da’ee (caller to Islam) • Elaborate the do’s and don’ts of Da’wah • Explain the guidelines for WhyIslam volunteers

3. Objectives • After attending this presentation, you'll be able to: • Understand the definition and importance of Da’wah • Understand the etiquettes, manners and characteristics necessary for callers to Islam • Understand the guidelines necessary for WhyIslam volunteers • Appreciate a list of references in books and Ayaat from the Noble Qur’an that relate to Da’wah

4. Definition of Da’wah • Da’wah means to invite • Da’wah to Islam is to invite non-Muslims to accept the truth of Islam • Performing Da’wah involves both our words and actions • Every claim must have its proof, and faith is a claim which needs proof first by practicing it ourselves, and then inviting other human beings towards this faith

5. Importance of Da’wah in Islam – 1 • The Qur’an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) give numerous references on the importance and the obligations of Da’wah • The life of the Prophet involved spreading the message of Islam • Da’wah is also reflected in the lives of the Sahabas (the companions of the Prophet) • Now the responsibility of spreading the message of Islam rests on our shoulders

6. Importance of Da’wah in Islam – 2 • Allah (swt) commands Moosa (pbuh): “Go you and your brother with My Signs and be not faint in remembrance of Me. Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds. And speak unto him a gentle word, that perhaps he may heed or fear.” [Taha.42-44]

7. Importance of Da’wah in Islam – 3 • “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong, and these it is that shall be successful.” [Al-Imran.104]

8. Importance of Da’wah in Islam – 4 • “Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way.” [An-Nahl.125]

9. Characteristics of a Da’ee • Sincerity • Knowledge • Mildness and gentleness • Da’wah by example • Du’a

10. Sincerity – 1 • Da’wah is not about pleasing one’s ego • It is about Allah (swt) and the path to Him • It involves a lot of hard work, patience and perseverance • It is obligatory upon a Da’ee (caller to Islam) to have Ikhlaas • Sincerity and purity of intention and actions only for Allah (swt) • No desire for praises and accolades from people • “Say (O Muhammad): This is my way: I call to Allah, on the basis of a clear proof and so do those who follow me. And glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the idol worshippers.” [Yusuf.108]

11. Sincerity – 2 • “And who is better in speech than the one who calls to Allah, works righteousness, and says, I am of those who submit." [Fussilat.33] • Ikhlaas is the most important ingredient of Da’wah

12. Knowledge – 1 • Knowledge is an essential obligation in calling to Allah (swt) • A WhyIslam volunteer / Da’ee should: • Have Aqeedah according to Qur’an and Sunnah, accepted by Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’a, or mainstream Islamic scholars • Have insight, proofs and evidences to which he/she calls to • Exude confidence in Islam • Beware of: • Calling to Allah based upon ignorance • Speaking without due knowledge • Allah (swt) is the custodian of Islam; our duty is to present and clarify Islam as it really is and not as people like it to be • A Da’ee should also have some knowledge of other beliefs • Knowing people’s environment, society and upbringing makes them more accessible

13. Knowledge – 2 At a minimum, a Da’ee should be able to explain: • Concept of Tawheed (oneness of God) • Prophet Muhammad as being a real Prophet • News reports about violence by Muslims • Polygamy in Islam • Reasons for wearing Hijab • Reasons for praying five times daily • Qur’an and Science

14. Mildness and Gentleness – 1 • All messengers of Allah (swt) ‘alayhimus-salaatu-wassalaam were mild, forbearing and patient in their Da’wah • We look upon the non-Muslims with the eye of mercy, wishing for them to receive the blessing of Islam just as we have • Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way [An-Nahl.125]

15. Mildness and Gentleness – 2 • “Thus it is due to mercy from Allah that you dealt with them gently, and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you.” [Al-Imran.159] • The messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Softness is never put inside of anything, except that it beautifies (embellishes) it, and harshness is never put inside of anything, except that it makes it ugly!" [Muslim]

16. Da’wah by Example – 1 • Act in accordance to what you are calling to • “O you who believe! why do you say that which you do not do? It is most hateful to Allah that you should say that which you do not do.” [As-Saff.2-3] • A WhyIslam volunteer / Da’ee should be a practicing Muslim who frequents the Masjid for Salat • Involvement with the local Muslim community is necessary for guiding new Muslims / Muslimahs to the Masjid and community

17. Da’wah by Example – 2 • The messenger of Allah (saw) said: “A man will be brought on the Day of Judgment and he will be thrown into the hellfire, so that his intestines will come out and he will go around like a donkey goes around the millstone. The people of hellfire will gather around him and say, ‘O so and so! What happened to you? Did you not used to order us with good and prohibit us from evil?’ He will say, ‘I used to order you with good and not do it myself; and I used to prohibit you from evil and do it myself.’” [Bukhari ]

18. Du’a • No one has the monopoly on the Truth and no one knows everything • We all make mistakes and a Muslim is not inherently immune from error • Allah (swt) is the custodian of Islam; our duty is to present and clarify Islam and the hidayah (guidance) is only from Allah (swt) • It is Allah (swt) who grants success and failure; it is unto Him that we rely • We should make du’a that Allah (swt) guides the non-Muslims and enable us to spread the message of peace

19. Do’s of Da’wah – 1 • Do learn Islam so that you may present it clearly and convincingly • Allah’s messenger (saw) said: “There is no envy except in two; a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and person whom Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to others. Related by Imam Bukhari • Do have the best manners, choose the best words, avoid the slightest insult • Do use clear, straight forward, positive arguments • The basics of Islam are simple and as clear as daylight • Do praise people for the good that is in them • Allah’s messenger had praised certain qualities of Omar ibn Al Khattab and Khalid ibn Al Waleed while they were still non-Muslims • Do concede on a true point even if it weakens your argument • Do remain focused • If you are in a discussion do not allow it to stray. Keep it in control

20. Do’s of Da’wah – 2 • Do remain well informed about your audience, their beliefs, their concerns and their problems • Do keep your intentions pure for Allah (swt) • Be dedicated to His cause • Put your trust in Him • Know that your job is to convey the message in the best possible manner and the guidance is only from Allah (swt)

21. Don’ts of Da’wah – 1 • Do not attack others, hurt them with your words, make fun of them or their beliefs • Do not insist on winning every argument, proving yourself to be right • Do not engage in irrelevant discussions or arguments when the basics are not yet covered • Do not lose sight of your purpose or your intention of conveying the message • Do not apologize for Allah (swt) • Do not compromise on the principles of this Deen • Do not say things which you are not sure • If you don’t know, admit it and ask for getting back to them

22. Don’ts of Da’wah – 2 • Do not speak to the individual as if you are giving a lecture • Speak to them and not at them • Do not offer people words without actions • Let your actions testify the truth of your words • Do not try to let your disapproval of a person, group or idea mislead you to exaggerate their errors or cover their achievements

23. Guidelines for WhyIslam Volunteers • Activities • Chain of Responsibility • New Muslim Curriculum / Online Class • Email Contact Guidelines • Telephone Contact Guidelines • Face-to-Face Contact Guidelines • Methodology of Contact

24. Activities • A WhyIslam volunteer may participate freely in any organization as long as it reconciles with the Islamic concept, methodology and practice as understood by the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah • However, he/she should not in any way ask/canvass/propagate/solicit a new Muslim to join that organization

25. Chain of Responsibility • A WhyIslam volunteer should contact the local WhyIslam representative, then WhyIslam regional associate for any clarification or questions

26. New Muslim Curriculum / Online Class • WhyIslam has a curriculum for new Muslims, in hardbound books and ebooks. If you want to refer to these books for one to one teaching, formal/informal education, please contact your local WhyIslam representative or regional coordinator so that they can arrange to have these books mailed to you • Currently there is an online class on new Muslim education being conducted by WhyIslam New Jersey. This class can be accessed via PalTalk every Saturday between 11am and 1pm EST

27. Email Contact Guidelines • Start with Assalamu’alaikum (peace be unto you) • Then introduce yourself as a WhyIslam volunteer stating that you were referred by the WhyIslam local representative, regional associate, WhyIslam forum or 877-WhyIslam • Offer education about Islam, Aqeedah and practice • Ask about what particular aspect of education he/she would want to start with or what aspect is he/she impressed or intrigued about • Ask about what sort of contact, email / telephone or local representative would he/she prefer • End e-mail with your full name, city and state of residence

28. Telephone Contact Guidelines • Start with Hi and ask who is at the other end • Introduce yourself • Name • Calling from city, state • Mention that you were referred by the WhyIslam local representative, regional associate, WhyIslam forum or 877-WhyIslam to contact the person via telephone • Ask if the person wants to permit you to continue • After an affirmative reply, proceed to ask how you can help in educating the person about Islam’s concepts and practice • Ask about what particular aspect of education he/she would want to start with or what aspect is he/she impressed or intrigued about • Ask about what sort of contact, email / telephone or local representative would he/she prefer • Ask about the frequency of contacts that he/she would prefer • Ask about the where the meeting should take place • Ask whether he/she would like to be introduced to the local Imam/scholar

29. Face-to-Face Contact Guidelines – 1 • Always look in the eyes • Have a friendly smile • Start with Assalamu’alaikum (peace be unto you) • Introduce yourself • Do not be too emotional or flat effect, try to be your usual self, normal and friendly • Do not be too personal quickly • Do not overdo by trying to identify with the revert’s ethnic background or customs • Do not try to delve into historical oppressor and victim issues • Do not be too intrusive into revert’s job, previous religion, his/her opinions, family, his stance on patriotism or terrorism, unless asked or invited

30. Face-to-Face Contact Guidelines – 2 • Do not be too opinionated, especially about politics, culture, history, creed, Aqeedah and practice • State unequivocally if insistent on your stance on patriotism, terrorism, that you stand for US citizenship values and denounce hate, war, terrorism without any reservation • WhyIslam local representative, regional associate, WhyIslam forum or 877-WhyIslam will try not to assign volunteers to reverts of the opposite gender • But there may be occasional instances where a male volunteer will be assigned to a female revert, only to bridge contact with a local sister volunteer or the local Imam • When having discussions with the opposite gender, stay at a distance, not be too close, do not shake hands • If offered a handshake, politely apologize stating that handshakes between opposite genders are not allowed in Islam

31. Methodology of Contact – 1 The WhyIslam volunteer should: • Conduct face-to-face follow-up with the assigned revert on urgent basis • Work hard to build long-term and trustworthy relationship with new reverts. Be sincere and always be mindful of the higher goal of pleasing Allah (swt) • Be clear that WhyIslam: • Considers Qur’an and Sunnah as the primary sources of guidance • Always promotes democratic, legal and peaceful means according to Islamic principles • Not confuse reverts with cultural or innovative practices • Ensure that female reverts are assigned to sister volunteers, and male reverts to brother volunteers • Personally meet the revert at a convenient location after telephonic/email conversation. Examples of locations could be Masjid, volunteer’s home, etc. However try to meet in a public place, e.g. Masjid so that both volunteer and new Muslim feel comfortable, and any undesired encounters could be avoided

32. Methodology of Contact – 2 • Have revert take Shahadah again publicly, preferably in the local Masjid • Setup a weekly (or mutually convenient frequency) meeting time & location to teach the basics of Islam, i.e. Aqeedah and Practice, address concerns and answer questions • Help revert assimilate in the larger Muslim community • Introduce him/her personally to other members of Muslim community, friends and family members • Report progress back to 877-Why-Islam regional representative promptly and on regular basis; ideally this should be once a month, so we can update this information in our database, and make changes if desired after input by local volunteers • Contact your local WhyIslam representative immediately in case: • A favorable response is not received by the revert after case assignment • Contact cannot be made due to false info/incorrect info • Contact is not feasible due to long distances

34. Good References on Da’wah • How To Tell Others About Islam • By Yayha Emerick • Islam The Natural Way • By Wahid Abdul Hamid • Towards Understanding Islam • By Maulana Maududi • The Choice • By Ahmed Deedat • Jesus – Prophet of Islam • By Mohammed Ata-ur-Rehman and Ahmad Thomson • www.jamaat.net (Sh. Ahmed Deedat’s booklets on comparative religion) • www.harunyahya.com (Da’wah oriented books by Harun Yahya)