Dawa Essentials

Dawa Essentials

Why & How of Dawa

By Taha Ghayyur

Dawa Essentials: Definition

The word Dawa in Arabic simply means ‘to invite to something’; the idea of relaying and sharing something.

As an Islamic term, Dawa is understood as "Inviting to the way of peaceful submission to God."

Dawa Essentials: Definition

Tabligh, which means to convey, is another term for Dawa

Caller to Islam is a Daaee or Daaeeyah

In early Islamic literature, Dawa also referred Sharia & Deen (way of life); today, Dawa is often referred to voluntary Islamic work

Dawa Essentials: Why Bother?

It’s the Mission Statement for Muslims Given By God: “Let there arise among you a group inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. Those are the successful ones.” [3:104]


Allah’s Challenge to be better: “Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah, does righteous deeds and says indeed I am among the Muslims.” [41:33]


Just do it. It’s Prophet’s Command: “Convey from me, even if it be only a single verse.” (Bukhari)

“Learn the required precepts of Islam and the Qur’an, then teach to others, for I will not live forever.” (Bukhari)


Better than any Material Success: “For Allah to guide someone by your hand is better for you than having red camels.” (Bukhari)


Sadaqa Jariya for this Life & the Next:"Whoever calls to guidance will receive the same reward as the one who follows him without any decrease in the reward of his follower.“(Muslim)


Think, See & Breathe Outside the Box:Don’t seal “Islam”, the gorgeous flower, inside a box. Let some sunlight and air in and don’t deprive others from its beauty and benefit. Otherwise it will wilt and die!


Don’t let others Hijack your Dawa!If you truly love Islam as your way of life, prove it with your actions. Share it with the world! If you don’t tell your story, someone else will!

Dawa Essentials: Common Excuses for Not Doing Dawa

“I do not have enough knowledge to do Dawa.”

“I am a sinful Muslim. Let me practice Islam first.”

“There are hundreds of Muslims not practicing today! We need to first do Dawa to fellow Muslims!”

“I don’t have courage.”

Dawa Essentials: Common Excuses for Not Doing Dawa

“I am not a professional Daaee. My Dawa won’t be useful.”

“I don’t like to push religion on others. We should let everyone believe what they like. Quran says: There is no compulsion in religion.”

“I am too busy.” “There are lots of other

better Daaees out there.”

Dawa Essentials: Before You Hit the Field

Spiritual Preparation: Check your heart! Intent to practice what

you preach Prepare yourself for

the mission of Prophet Muhammad

Remind yourself that you are an Ambassador of Islam

Be humble

Perfection is not the pre-requisite for Dawa

See everyone as a potential Muslim

Ask Allah for refuge from Shaytan and ask Him to purify you from Riya

Stay positive and determined, no matter how many obstacles challenge you

Dawa Essentials: Before You Hit the Field

Mental Preparation: Use Hikmah (wisdom)

in the choosing the time, place, and setting for Dawa

Your job is to convey, not convert

Know your audience & customize your Dawa

Show how Islam can solve their problems

Do not to assume others’ beliefs and never tell them what they believe

Avoid generalization Don’t be distracted by

frivolous, secondary issues. Focus on basics

Focus more on ‘Why’ Think out of the box.

Get creative

Dawa Essentials: Dawa Best Practices

Think beyond Street Dawa. Be a Walking Dawa and be ready to share Islam anywhere!

Explore Soft Dawa. Non-preachy, subtle Dawa (eg. charity & cultural celebrations) goes a long way

Take Dawa to Social Media!


Presenting a Quran copy may not always be the best first Dawa tool for everyone

Tawhid is crucial, but need to be packaged with issues that matter to their lives

Use appropriate translations for Islamic terms


There is a time and place for Dawa through debates, literature, open houses, cultural festivals, lectures, booths and street

Specialize in medium & topics of Dawa

Don’t turn into a Dawa crusader!


Be prepared to address atheists, as many people don’t believe in any faith

Start with common grounds in arguments

Always be personable, professional and welcoming in presentation, manners & gestures

Dawa Essentials: Ready for Hot Buttons & Attacks?

Violence, Terrorism & Jihad

Oppression of Women (Veil, Driving, Forced Marriages, Education, Leadership, Wife-Beating, Honour Killing)

Sharia & Punishment Islam vs. Democracy

Dawa Essentials: Ready for Hot Buttons & Attacks?

Polygamy Religious Tolerance &

Freedom of Expression

Source of Quran Prophet Muhammad’s

Wars & Marriages Muslim = Arab Muslims hate the

West

Dawa Essentials: Beautiful Advice

“Dawa, prior to everything, is a state of mind, a world view, an attitude to life, indeed a kind of life. The critical prerequisite to Dawa is a consciousness, personal and collective, imbued with a true vision of Dawa in Islam.”

- Ustadh Khurram Murad

Dawa Essentials

Education

Transcript of Dawa Essentials