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Wa alykumussalam wa Rehmatullahe wa barakaatuh, Careful study of the following article might enable you to understand
the technique. Your brother in Islam Khalid Latif ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Individual Dawah in Islam 1.Meaning In individual Dawah the address is made to one or a few persons and to
no multitudes. Apart from this, most of the times it is performed without any
pre-plan; for example, this opportunity is obtained in incidental meetings,
social get-togethers or friendly tete-a-tete. 2. Characteristics This type of Dawah has different characteristics among which the
following are very obvious: (a) It is an oft-recurring thing and every man finds an opportunity for
this Dawah many times a day. (b) There is no need of particular labour and efforts in it. Moreover
it is often performed along with other works. Not much time is spent in it. For
example, its opportunity can be procured on the occasion of condolence or
visiting a sick person or going for lending congratulation on the birth of a
child. (c) This Dawah is easy. It needs much less mental labour than the
collective meetings or discussions and in this the instigator is free also from
every kind of critical bindings. (d) It is very easy. Everyone who keeps faith in Dawah can participate
in it whether he is uneducated and has no specialization in it. In this way,
this method of convocation is also an excellent field of practice and exercise
for the work of Dawah in which many opportunities of testing abilities occur. (e) Since this Dawah is performed in a secret manner, the instigator is
guarded against every kind of hypocrisy and show. So it comes to general
observation that many orators and instigators and propagators suffer from the
mania of “loud speaker” and “Sickness of
presidentship”. (f) In this kind of Dawah many new ways of meditation and deliberation
open up, because every person gets an opportunity of conveying his view points;
accordingly he often comes across many new problems, and questions arise in his
heart in this connection. No one is available in the general crowd, who may give answer to his
questions. Hence he keeps continuously grouping for its answer, till he gets
the answer to his question at last. (g) Again, a man presents his doubts and suspicions very freely in the
discourse which takes place in a free atmosphere, and may remove them by mutual
interchange of opinions. Undoubtedly, this method of discourse is very useful and beneficial and
the atmosphere of brotherhood and love is also created in such discourses. (h) Its paths are never blocked. This Dawah continues advancing even
under the hardest circumstances and difficulties and keeps stepping forward
with full earnestness. The more the authorities try to suppress it, the more it rises quickly,
because in such situations the call of all hearts is only one and the problems
and difficulties of people are nearly similar. This is a time when the forces
of tyranny and violence fail miserably. (i) It also has blessings of apostle hood, for, the beneficent prophets
started their Dawah in the same manner and it was their way throughout their
lives. 3. Effect In the beginning it is felt that the effects of individual Dawah are
very slow and its results seldom prove fruitful. The critic can also say that
in this vast society it is not within the capacity of a few hundred or a few
thousand people to be able to gain the expected benefit by their limited Dawah.
Their objection is correct to a limit, and this is an accepted fact
that when the opportunities are provided, the collective Dawah is also very
important, but in the long run, only the individual Dawah plays the basic role
in the success of Dawah. And those people who come closer after gaining satisfaction from
individual Dawah prove to be the real essence of every Dawah. Only such persons
have been playing an important role in reformative movements of the past
centuries. Their example is similar to the disciples of the prophets and the
followers of reformers. In this way, the example of individual Dawah is like a foundation on
which the edifice is erected but that foundation is concealed beneath the
earth, and the example of collective Dawah is like the building itself and both
of them are interdependent. Also, it is not necessary that the effects of individual Dawah are
limited in every case. Contrary to this, sometimes it so happens that this is
quicker in effect than the collective Dawah, and is far from failures. Etiquettes In the preceding lines we have said that the individual Dawah is
extremely delicate. Hence, it is extremely difficult to introduce Dawah and
avoid its, adverse results. The propagator commits a blunder when he thinks that he has convinced
the addressee, though he should not be satisfied in any way, for it is not
necessary that he who has the great capability of _expression_ will necessarily
be able to present his opinions in the best way, and it is also not necessary
that he who has expressed his opinion in the best way, might also have
convinced the addressee too. Again, it is also not certain that he should expect any good result
from him whom he has succeeded in satisfying well. For, the task of turning all
the abilities of thought and deed of human beings towards good is very
difficult. Because human nature tends to escape to other paths, and human
beings are equally impressed by their inner emotions as well as wisdom. So, in this connection, we would like to mention the following thing: Mildness and Forbearance: It is essential for performing the task of Dawah in the best manner
that the instigator should manage it with mildness and forbearance, and since
he is in dark about the nature of persons, it is necessary that he should first
understand them and find out their inclinations towards virtue and vice. For performing the task of Dawah, possession of its knowledge is very
necessary. He should not tell such a thing to him, the consequence of which he
may not know. Surely the instigator has such a message which is unfamiliar to most of
the people of society and there is also an attraction in this for them, nor
have they strength to bear this burden in themselves. So it is sometimes
unavoidable to have any opposition from their side. It is, therefore, our responsibility to know the quality of the land
before ploughing and sowing seeds in it, for some land is absolutely barren
without any capacity of growth. “Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the
hearer.” (Al-A’la: 9) Consideration of Addressee’s Sentiments: Another thing which should not be ignored is that you should regard the
addressee’s feelings fully, although he may be opponent, also because
difference in opinions is natural and it is not such a thing for which mutual
relation may be broken. So it is essential that you should listen to others just as you want
others to listen to you. You should be your own critic and keep thinking about
the vices of your own. Do you speak very much? Does your voice rise while
talking? Is your method of discourse bitter? Are you proud of your knowledge?
Do you use harsh words? Again, if you are aware of your mistake, adopt the true path without
hesitation even if you have to apologize for that. Be an ideal man so that the
enemies who always keep tracing your faults may not defame you; and deviating
from the main topic do not be diverted towards personal gains, because there
you will have to take the support of wealth and property, rank and dignity
also. Then this will reach the government and the court and in this way the
Satan will have an opportunity of taking a firm footing. Contrary to this, if you adopt the reasonable way from the beginning,
your discussion will be good and uncomplicated. If you bear in mind the respect
and regard of the Ulamaa (scholars), mutual differences will not get an
opportunity to crop up. Your opponent who differs from your viewpoint will have now only two
ways-he will either agree with you or set himself apart from you in a good way.
He will either be thankful to you or beg your pardon. Being impressed by
yourway of speaking, he may be desirous himself to see you again, which will be
the proof of the fact that you’re are successful to some extent. Analysis of Circumstances: God has given knowledge and wisdom to every nation. There is a hadith
of the Prophet: “ Every nation possesses knowledge.” And considering the conditions of a nation, the knowledge which is very
necessary for it may be absolutely unnecessary for other nations. So it is not
suitable for any one to think or call other deviators from the right path.
Because of this, Deen (religion) has been made easy and flexible, so that it
may adjust itself with the changing circumstances. No one ever has the right of
thinking that religion has only one form for all the times. Undoubtedly “Truth” is one but it has many angles and
various aspects. And as knowledge will continue to increase, the differences
among the people will keep on increasing. “(Of Religion): it was only After knowledge had been Granted to
them that they fell in schisms.” (Al-Jathiyah:17) No doubt, knowledge is the field of the solution of difficulties but
the evolution of knowledge itself produces many complications. So it is
necessary for the instigator that he should learn this art, and maintaining
relations with people he should understand their views. He should keep searching
for truth amidst doubts and suspicions and finding an opportunity of serving in
a new society, he should try to understand the society patiently and quietly
for some time. This may take much more time, in knowing the society fully. Finally, he
should start his work only after he has learned the way of working in the
society. If he starts working without knowing the society, he will have to face
many troubles, which will cause many impediments to come in the path of Dawah -----Original Message----- Assalamu alaikum rahmatu Allah wa barakatu. It seems many people
(christians) have been trying to tell about their religion or mention it
passively. (probably b/c of the hijab). The thing is whenever some one tries to
do this I get very angry inside/nervous especially since I am a revert and hate
shirk and lies. But for some reason they always get me at the wrong moment.
Maybe it's because I don't know how to give dawah. Does anyone have any
suggestions on how to reply to these people? Quran:surahÂl-'Imrân,ayah 15. Shall I inform you of things far better
than those?For Al-Muttaqûn the pious there are Gardens( ________________________________________________________________________ Try Juno Platinum for Free! Then, only $9.95/month! Unlimited Internet Access with 1GB of Email Storage. Visit http://www.juno.com/value to sign up today! *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam)
with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) 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.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah
(believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His
Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous
deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By
Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best
types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said,
"Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the
one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at
all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended: http://www.islamonline.net http://www.islam-guide.com http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do
not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or
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[EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily
digest". Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) 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.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended: http://www.islamonline.net http://www.islam-guide.com http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest".
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