PRINCIPLES OF MAKING DA'WA

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an, "Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way." and He says, "And there may spring from you a nation who invite to goodness, and forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful."

Da'wa is the term used, in Islam, to invite others to Islam. It is commonly and sometimes exclusively considered an invitation for non-Muslim, but this is where we’re wrong. We live in a very turbulent world. Preoccupation with this life and the ‘things’ contained herein has become all consuming. When I originally wrote this opening I had written it as an advice to my brothers and sister in Islam on how to deal with non-Muslims in giving da’wa, but I’ve come to understand my fellows and myself and I realize the da’wa is needed at both ends, for the non-Muslims and Muslims. As I read the steps below I see no contradiction in using these upon another Muslim, however, the intent perhaps is different. We need to want for ourselves what we want for our brother, our intention must be pure and with one pure focus; to bring them back to the Qur’an and Sunnah, but not just that. We need to revive the Sunnah, we need to bring it to life for others and ourselves. Imagine we are gears in a machine, each one of us performing our task and each one of us equally as important even if we have higher or lower roles. We are running by the permission of Allah and oiled by the Sunnah. Well, we’re running out of oil. This machine is not running right. We need to enjoin the good and forbid the wrong. I’ve edited the above, but below I haven’t… notice now the advice if we use it on another Muslim. Subhann Allah.

• Know who you are speaking with, that is to say, know where the person is coming from. What kind of background i.e.; Christian, Jew or other.
  
• Notice their posture, are they relaxed about talking about religion. Sometimes Da'wa begins not with conversation about religion, rather with something not related but that you may have in common with them.
  
• Debating is a no win situation in Da'wa. No one wants to be told they are wrong or incompetent.
  
• Try to let the person ask the questions. Let them feel that they are in control of the conversation. Bear in mind, with your good intentions to back you, you won't lose control of the conversation, Insha Allah.
  
• Be polite, what you say and do is a reflection, at least to them, of Muslims in general. The Da'wa you make today may not take effect for some time. That person you just made a good impression on will remember you later when Allah is ready to accept him, and they will thank you then.
  
• Da'wa is not usually immediate. For some people it takes years. Don't be disappointed if you don't get a reaction from them right away. When or if it is their time it will be up to Allah
  
• A very good point to keep in mind, and that is that we are all human beings and deserve the opportunity to know the truth, regardless of status, wealth, race, and so on. Be humble and remember that it is only by Allah that you yourself are a Believer.

  These points that I have just made are not a steadfast rule and there are always exceptions. So may Allahaccept from me, my good intentions and guide me as well as you all in our struggle to spread Islam.
  

  Um Noah