DW # 01/2000                                                                                                                                                                     June 30, 00 - ICNA Convention, Baltimore

 

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL

 

METHODOLOGY OF DAWAH & ITS PROBLEMS

 

[A Q/A Dawah Workshop]

 

QUESTIONNAIRE:

 

Q.   1.  What are the dimensions of Dawah Ilallah in American Perspective? Please spell out.

 

First Dimension: The Concept of Dawah Ilallah.  Problem # I: Concept of DI is itself not  clear?

 

Q.   2.  What is Dawah Ilallah? Can you define it?

 

Q.   3.  What are the salient features of Dawah Ilallah? [Please extract from the definition just we had]

 

Q.   4.  What conclusions you draw from this definition?

        Q.  A.   Is Dawah a means or an end?  Q. B.  What is the culminating point of DI?  Q.  C.  What are the stages of Dawah?

 

Second Dimension:  Problem # II: The Addressees are not pinpointed [All cannot be drive by one stick]

 

Q.   5.  Who are the addressees?

 

Q.   6.  Can you categorize them on the basis of religion and ethnicity?

 

Q.   7.   What are the important features of Jew, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists that A Da’ee must know? 

        Q.  7a.  What should we know about the people of the land?

 

Q.   8.   How to address the Jews, the Christians, the Muslims the Hindus and the Buddhists?

 

Third Dimensions:  Problem # III – Dearth of correct, effective and to the point Dawah literature for Intelligentsia + Masses.

 

Q.   9.   What is to present?

 

Q.  10.  What are the levels of presentation of DI?

 

Fourth Dimension; Problem # IV.  Non-availability of effective Methodology of DI in American Perspective.

 

Q.  11.  How to present the Dawah?  Or what should be the Methodology of DI in American Perspective?

 

Q.  12.  How far are you interested in Dawah Ilallah? Can you express your consent to work for it alone or with ICNA?

 

Fifth Dimension:  Problem # V.  Dearth of effective Da’ees

 

Q.  13.  What is an effective Dawah? How can we make ourselves as effective Da’ees?

 

Q.  14.   “ For Effective Dawah, We need effective Da’ees” – Who can be effective Da’ees?

 

      Q.   What are its requisites?

 

Q.  15.   Success of Dawah depends on the pursuance of correct Methodology of Dawah.  Do you agree with this statement?

               If you agree, then follow what we have shared so far.  May Allah bless all of us with Tawfeeq to be effective Da’ees.

 

Shamim A Siddiqi

Department of Dawah/Publications, ICNA

 

 

 

DW # 01/2000                                                                                                            June 30, 00 ICNA Convention, Baltimore

 

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL

 

METHODOLOGY OF DAWAH & PROBLEMS  

 

WORKSHOP:

 

1.  Dawah Ilallah in American Perspective has many dimensions. What are these dimensions? Please spell out.

 

First Dimension:  The Concept of Dawah Ilallah:  Problem # 1; The Concept of Dawah itself is not clear

 

Q.   2.  What is Dawah Ilallah? Can you define it?

 

       “It is to call the people of the land to the fold of their Creator and Sustainer, on the pattern Rasulullah (S) did, through a determined, an organized and a continuous effort as priority Number One of our life towards accepting Islam as a way of life to the extent that they are inclined to establish the Deen of Allah in the body politics of the country with the sole objective to get the pleasure of Allah here and Hereafter”.

 

Q.   3.  What are the Salient Features of Dawah Ilallah?

 

             i.   An organized

 ii.  A determined

iii.  A continuous effort 

iv.  Priority No. One of life

v.   Pattern of Rasulullah (S)

vi.  Establishing the Deen of Allah in body politics

vii.  For the pleasure of Allah

viii. Obligatory on each Muslim, especially when the Deen of Allah is nowhere in a dominant position on earth

        

Q.   4.  What conclusions you draw from this definition?

 

            Q. Is Dawah a means or an end? 

Q. What is the culminating point of DI? 

Q.  What are the stages of Dawah?

 

            i.    Dawah is a means not an end 

ii.   Dawah is the first step and the culminating point will come when the Deen of Allah  is dominant everywhere

iii.  Stages of DI: 

* Dawah to self; 

* Dawah to family;

* Dawah to the people of the land

 

Second Dimension:  Problem # II: The Addressees must be pinpointed –All cannot be driven with same stick

 

Q.    5.   Who are the addressees? 

 

Q.   6.   Can you categorize them on the basis of Religion and Ethnicity?

   

            * The people of America - The Judeo-Christian-Hindu-Buddhist community  + secular or atheists

* Caucasian-American; 

* African-American;

* Latino-American;

* Native-America; 

* Immigrant Muslims–Arabs +Indo-Pak Subcontinent; 

* Chinese, Koreans and Japanese origin;

 

Q.   7.  What are the important features of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists that Da’ee must know?

            Q.  What should we know about the people of the land?

 

        * We must know these people, their cultural background, religious dogmas, political affinities, historical developments, and economic potentials;

 

        * Equally we must know the people of the land, their socio-economic-political conditions and the issues they are facing.

 

Q.   8.   How to address: the Jews, the Christians, the Muslims, the Hindus, and the Buddhists?

 

        [Reference:  Page 2 of Workshop # 07 Dated April 18, 1999]

 

Third Dimension:  Problem #III: Dearth of correct, effective and to the point Dawah literature: for Intelligentsia + Masses

 

Q.   9.   What is to Present?        

 

       *  The Correction of man [or Correction of individuals – Fard ki Islah] based on the concept of:

           * Tawheed 

* Risalah 

* Amanah 

* Akhirah  = Aqeedah and its cohesiveness

* Need of Guidance and the guide

* Family values

* Position of women

 

      * CORRECTION OF AQEEDAH:

i.  What is the position of man on earth?

ii.  Allah created this universe for man 

iii.  Allah’s commitment to send guidance as and when needed by man through His Messengers to serve as MODEL

iv.  Accountability of man to Allah; How he used His AMANAH on this earth

v.  To correct relation between God & man

 

      *  Thought provoking material available in American English/Spanish, both for the Intelligentsia and the masses

 

Q.   10.   What are the levels of Presentation of DI?

   

             i.    Personal  

ii.   Group meetings 

iii.  Through Masajid  

iv.  Intelligentsia 

v.   Mass contact Programs

 

Fourth Dimension:  Problem # IV – Non-availability of an effective Methodology of DI in American Perspective.

 

Q.   11.   How to present the Dawah Ilallah? Or What should be the methodology of DI?

 

1.   No fixed method; It differs from person to person and situation to situation. BUT Allah and His Prophet (S) has laid down its main features as how to deliver the message and with what precautions.

 

       2.   With Hikmah and good exhortations  - Al-Nahal: 125

 

       3.   To start with a common denomination – “ O my two fellow prisoners [Joseph: 39]

              * It requires that you should know your contactee [the people] well;

              *  Al-Imran – 64: 

 

      4.    Better start from the burning issues of the day. You find him more interested and then bring him gradually to DI;

              * Khutabatul Jumaah: Discussion of the prevailing events People love to discuss their current affairs; * Al Rome; 1-3;

 

      5.    Speaking gently, in soft spoken words – [Ta’ha: 41]

 

      6.    Be respectful while presenting Dawah: Al- Rome –60:

 

7.    No animosity – no support to terrorist activities anywhere, rather condemn them; Islam does not support ‘Innocent killing”  [Al-Furqa’n: 68                                                             + Al-Isra’: 33]

 

      8.   Moderation in Presentation; Abdullah b Maswood ® Every Thursday, [Page 146]; not all a time;

 

      9.   Clarity in delivering the message: Vision, Goal, Process and conviction to attain it. This will create Confidence in the Da’ee;

 

   10.    Message of hope. Care and concern for the addressees

 

   11.    Regularity and follow up program is a must both at individual and collective levels. This is key point of DI;

 

   12.    Prayers for the contactee before and after the contact

 

13.    Service to humanity – the best means of Dawah; Develop an “Oasis” of love and care for each other around you, In your neighborhood and vicinity; people recognize you as a good guy, only then they will open their hearts for Islam.

 

   14.    Make Dawah Program for designated areas and around Masjid;

 

  15.    Develop your personal skills:

* Speaking power

* Listening attentively

* Be audible and imaginative in approach

* Be time-conscious; Must carry Dawah Literature with you and make sure to have studied it before hand

* Make short note about the contactees and the conversation. It will help you in future

 

16.    A determination to carry out the mission, even no body does it; It is the key point to success;

 

Recommendation: Read Chapter VII of Methodology of Dawah [now available in this website]; Pages 116 to 161 for detail study.

 

Q.   12.   How far you are interested in Dawah Ilallah? Can you express your consent to work for it alone or with ICNA?

 

FIFTH DIMENTION - Problem # V:  Dearth of Effective Da’ees.

 

Q.   13.  What is an effective Dawah? How can we make ourselves as effective Da’ees? 

 

Q.   14.  For effective Dawah we need effective Da’ees.  Q.  Who can be the effective Da’ee?

 

       Its requisites are:  

 

         i.  Clarity of vision and love for the Goal and conviction about success

        ii.  Having working knowledge of Islam

       iii.  Knows this country and the people well

       iv.  Is prepared to sacrifice time, talents and resources for his Dawah efforts

        v.  Expecting no reward from any one in this world

       vi.  Actively involved in Dawah activities

     vii.   Is a part of the Islamic Movement

    viii.   No compromising attitude with the vested interests    

      ix.   Involve in Dawah activities with Sabr, Shukr, and Azimah

       x.   Always repents to Allah, begs His Nusrah and shows no arrogance under any circumstances

 

A Da’ee with these qualities of heart, mind and character will be an effective Da’ee, irrespective of the fact where he works and what are his circumstances. Only such Da’ees will be effective in American Perspective.

 

May Allah give us Tawfeeq to build a team pf such Da’ees for Dawah work in America.  If we pursue correct Methodology of Dawah, we will, Insha Allah, get the desired results very soon. 

 

 

Shamim A Siddiqi