Transcript wah Worker Etiquettes and Guidelines

WhyIslam Da’wah Worker
Etiquettes & Guidelines
Da’wah Worker Training Series – Volume 1
WhyIslam West
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
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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
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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
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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
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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]
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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]
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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]
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Characteristics of a Da’ee
Sincerity
Knowledge
Mildness and gentleness
Da’wah by example
Du’a
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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]
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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
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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
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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
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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]
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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]
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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
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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 ]
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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 nonMuslims and enable us to spread the message of peace
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Chain of Responsibility
A WhyIslam volunteer should contact the local WhyIslam
representative, then WhyIslam regional associate for any
clarification or questions
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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