How To Make Dawa Rules

Presenting Islam — A Practical Approach — 1
Section A
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF DA‘WAH
1. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
1). Allah has directed us in the Qur’an to: “Call (all people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best.” (Q.16:125) The Muslim should therefore purify his intention to comply with Allah’s command without pride or any ulteriormotive, out of a desire to help guide a fellow human being to know the truth. Da’wah involves anything that would help a person to come closer to Allah, whether by words or actions.
2). Da’wah involves an exchange of ideas and perceptions. Let it be a real conversation, not a monologue by the da’iyah. Many non-Muslims, despite having very little knowledge of Islamic teaching, have ideas and beliefs,which are very close to the Islamic ones.
3). “Conversion” is often a gradual process sometimes over several years. The pronouncement of the Shahadah is often just an acknowledgement of what has long been developing inside. It is like the ripening of a fruit which had its origins long ago when a seed was planted and nurtured.
4). Don’t be overzealous or overdo your Da’wah. When you see from hisface or body language that the other person is losing interest, stop the conversation. You could ease the tension by suggesting you both have a cup of tea, or by introducing him to someone else at a gathering etc. Remember that Da’wah is a long process, and cannot be achieved in a single session, or even in a few sessions. It demands consistent effort and a lot of patience.
5). No one does worsethan the person who, because she/he could only do a little good, decided to do nothing. Don’t underestimate your ability (with Allah’s help) to change others, even if it is only increasing the good in someone to from 5% to 6%.
6). Be humble, and don’t overestimate your ability to change others. Our duty is only to try, it is for Allah to guide.
7). Remember that “in the end, the sword is alwaysconquered by ideas”. Falsehood by its nature is bound to perish in the presence of truth just as darkness by its nature vanishes where there is light.
8). Differences of opinion may not necessarily be deviations, but just healthily different and useful perspectives.
9). Difference of opinion does not automatically imply disunity.
10). Truthfulness may only be established by the evidence orproof for it, not by who puts the idea forward, or his reputation, qualifications, titles etc.
11). A scholar in one area is not a ‘master of all’. An ‘expert’ is usually one who knows more and more of less and less.
12). Priority areas to change are a person’s ideas, values and beliefs, followed by the apparent, visible aspects of their life styles.
13). “Do not put all your eggs in one basket.”Let Da’wah groups and organizations have diversity in their approaches but unity in their long term objectives, like the various branches of the State Health Services, such as specialist hospitals, emergency services, research institutes and so on.
14). Remember that laws and policies can affect behavior, which can change people’s attitudes (for better or for worse). Therefore it is important tobe involved in moves to influence policies and/or policy-makers.
15). There is no “best Da’wah program” for every place and time. “Best programs” are limited to place, environment, level of development, time, culture, level of education, age, gender, local priorities, and who is handling the da‘wah.
Presenting Islam — A Practical Approach — 2
16). Considering the importance of Da’wah, it isworth remembering that in the Qur’an, Allah blamed the Jews for concealing truth from others. For many Muslims, Islam is also their “best-kept secret”.
17). Healthy argument awakens reasoning and “practice makes perfect”.
18). The requirement to use wisdom and the best of speech when presenting Islam is well served by broadening one’s knowledge of Islam as well as other world religions. In this...