brother4ever
Junior Member
The Necessary Qualities of a Da'i
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1.The intention of the da'i should be to please Allah Ta'ala and not for any other reason e.g. riya (showing off).
2. The da 'i should have as broad a base of knowledge as possible. (S)he should read the Qur'an and the Hadith with commentary, also the Ihya 'Uloom ad-Din by Imam Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghazali (D 505 A.H). (S)he should understand not only why we should believe in Allah but also why Allah has sent prophets down. Comparative religion books are also of great benefit. These are just some pointers.
3. When the da'i begins da'wah(S), he should be constant in it. Results often take place only after some time, and so one should be aware of the stamina and efforts that are required.
4. The da'i should be aware that da'wah will test them with many situations that will demand patience, politeness and kindness.
5. When the da'i contacts the mad'u, (One who is invited), (S)he should keep up the contact. The power of supplication (du'a) should also never be underestimated. The da'i should persist in du'a, that Allah keeps the mad'u upon the Sirat al-Mustaqim and gives the mad'u strength to face all challenges during this period. The Muslims in general should always pray to Allah that non-believers will embrace Islam. The da'i should also be able to recognise the abilities and qualities of the mad'u. Praise of their abilities and qualities will soften the mad'u's heart and make them readier to listen.
6. The da'i needs to use wisdom and tact, for example, when informing someone not to continue in a prohibited act. This is not as easy as it seems, particularly today, when many people have come to regard some of the disliked or prohibited actions as simply ordinary so cannot understand any objection to them. Hikmah (wisdom) is required to make people see the error of their ways. It also takes hikma to recognise who will want to or be able to stop immediately and who will need a more gradual approach.
7. When the da'i approaches the mad'u, (S)he should find out what their interests are and make conversation with them around that point. The conversation can be supported by the provision of appropriate pamphlets, books and videos.
Many people are very interested in sport - Islam can easily be introduced into the conversation since many sports personalities have embraced Islam, (such as Muhammad 'Ali, Mike Tyson), although few actually know that their sports heroes are Muslims! If the da'i recognises that the person who they are talking to has a scientific mind, the da'i could refer to the writings of Maurice Bucaille and Harun Yahya who have done much service to Islam in this area.
If the da'i is speaking to people belonging to the Afro-Caribbean community, he can link his conversation to Islam by talking about Malcolm X.
If the mad'u is a woman, the da'i should provide them with the booklet 'Why British women are turning to Islam?'.
If one reflects, there are many ways to begin a conversation before easing Islam into the discussion. The above are just a few examples for consideration not a fully comprehensive list.
8. The da'i should provide literature to the mad'u according to their interests:
- A doctor could be given Maurice Bucaille's 'The Bible, the Qur'an and Science; - A lawyer could be given books on Islamic Law; - An interest in comparative religion could be met with the videos of Ahmed Deedat, Jamal Badawi, and Hamza Yusuf; - A spiritually minded ma'du could be given 'The Way of Muhammad' of Shaikh 'Abdal Qadir al-Sufi and the literature of Shaikh Nuh-Ha Mim Keller and their videos. A number of organisations provide free literature on a wide variety of subjects, including those mentioned above. Search around your local and distant community for such organisations.
9. A da'i approaching a mad'u should have the intention to convey the message of Islam not the intention to debate/embarrass/insult the mad'u. It is not a matter of winning or losing since if it were, the mad'u would spend more time concentrating upon defending himself rather than listening to the message that is being conveyed. Sometimes a da'i can win the debate but lose the mad'u.
One day, Imam Abu Hanifah came across his son Hammad debating with someone. After he had finished, Imam Abu Hanifah approached his son and informed him that it was not permissible to debate. Hammad was very surprised and asked his father:
"I see you every day debating with non-Muslims. If it is not allowed why do you do it?" His father replied: "There is a difference between the way I debate and the way you do. The way I debate is permissible because my intention is to please Allah and convey the true message, not to please myself. When I saw you debating, you were not delivering the message but were trying to win the argument. You were pleasing yourself and not Allah Ta'la. When I am debating, I do not make eye contact with the person, since if the person is struggling to provide answers to my questions, I do not want them to feel any shame as this might be a barrier to them taking in the message."
(Preface of The Hidaya, by Mulla Ali Qari)
10. When the da'i approaches the mad'u, he should correct misconceptions. For example: when talking to a Christian, he could mention how the Qur'an makes numerous references to Mary and Jesus. Indeed there is a whole chapter on Mary in the Qur'an, the only woman who is mentioned with such a high status. This would make them curious and want to read the Qur'an to see for themselves what Allah has revealed concerning it. If necessary, he could talk about the points where there are disagreements between Islam and Christianity - such as the Bible being the word of God, the trinity, the crucifixion of Jesus, atonement etc. He should then provide literature that contains answers to these areas, such as the Izhar al-Haq of Maulana Rahmatullah Kairanvi (may Allah be pleased with him) or the videos or pamphlets of Sheikh Ahmad Deedat.
11. The da'i should be generous and hospitable, not miserly and reclusive. Hospitality is a very effective way of performing da'wah. If you have been very hospitable but the mad'u has not yet accepted Islam, the da'i should not become angry or disheartened because it is only Allah Ta'ala who has the power to change the hearts of people. It was the custom of Prophet Ibrahim to eat with a guest. One day, while sitting with a guest, he began talking about the oneness of Allah to which the guest remarked that he did not believe in this. This made Ibrahim so upset, he asked him to leave - before they had eaten the meal. Soon after, the angel Jibreel came to him with a message from Allah Ta'ala: "Ibrahim, why did you become upset, and prevent your guest from eating the food? I have been providing his food for 60 years and he has not listened to me but I am not upset." At this Ibrahim went out to find the guest and reinvited him for a meal. The guest questioned his motives and Ibrahim recounted the visit of Jibreel. The guest returned for the meal and was so impressed that he embraced Islam.(Qasas al-Anbiya', chapter on Prophet Ibrahim)
12. The da'i should talk to the mad'u according to his intellect and understanding, without overloading the ma'du with information but at the same time making steady progress.
13. The da'i should be friendly and easily approachable so that the mad'u feels at ease around him/her and not afraid to ask questions. The mad'u should never feel under personal attack.
14. The da'i should not be afraid to say, 'I don't know, but I will find out for you.' No-one is expected to know everything.
15.If the mad'u becomes a Muslim, it is the responsibility of the da'i to teach him/her the basic teachings of Islam and to bring them into contact with other Muslims. In this way Allah Ta 'ala ensures they are protected, in good company and guided on Islamic matters. If the da'i approaches a mad'u who accepts the invitation of Islam, there is a great reward from Allah Ta'ala. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that if a non-believer becomes Muslim as a result of one person's da'wah, the reward for that da'i is so great that it is better than the world and all it contains. (Sirat al-Nabi, chapter on Khaybar, by Hafidh Ibn Kathir)
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1.The intention of the da'i should be to please Allah Ta'ala and not for any other reason e.g. riya (showing off).
2. The da 'i should have as broad a base of knowledge as possible. (S)he should read the Qur'an and the Hadith with commentary, also the Ihya 'Uloom ad-Din by Imam Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghazali (D 505 A.H). (S)he should understand not only why we should believe in Allah but also why Allah has sent prophets down. Comparative religion books are also of great benefit. These are just some pointers.
3. When the da'i begins da'wah(S), he should be constant in it. Results often take place only after some time, and so one should be aware of the stamina and efforts that are required.
4. The da'i should be aware that da'wah will test them with many situations that will demand patience, politeness and kindness.
5. When the da'i contacts the mad'u, (One who is invited), (S)he should keep up the contact. The power of supplication (du'a) should also never be underestimated. The da'i should persist in du'a, that Allah keeps the mad'u upon the Sirat al-Mustaqim and gives the mad'u strength to face all challenges during this period. The Muslims in general should always pray to Allah that non-believers will embrace Islam. The da'i should also be able to recognise the abilities and qualities of the mad'u. Praise of their abilities and qualities will soften the mad'u's heart and make them readier to listen.
6. The da'i needs to use wisdom and tact, for example, when informing someone not to continue in a prohibited act. This is not as easy as it seems, particularly today, when many people have come to regard some of the disliked or prohibited actions as simply ordinary so cannot understand any objection to them. Hikmah (wisdom) is required to make people see the error of their ways. It also takes hikma to recognise who will want to or be able to stop immediately and who will need a more gradual approach.
7. When the da'i approaches the mad'u, (S)he should find out what their interests are and make conversation with them around that point. The conversation can be supported by the provision of appropriate pamphlets, books and videos.
Many people are very interested in sport - Islam can easily be introduced into the conversation since many sports personalities have embraced Islam, (such as Muhammad 'Ali, Mike Tyson), although few actually know that their sports heroes are Muslims! If the da'i recognises that the person who they are talking to has a scientific mind, the da'i could refer to the writings of Maurice Bucaille and Harun Yahya who have done much service to Islam in this area.
If the da'i is speaking to people belonging to the Afro-Caribbean community, he can link his conversation to Islam by talking about Malcolm X.
If the mad'u is a woman, the da'i should provide them with the booklet 'Why British women are turning to Islam?'.
If one reflects, there are many ways to begin a conversation before easing Islam into the discussion. The above are just a few examples for consideration not a fully comprehensive list.
8. The da'i should provide literature to the mad'u according to their interests:
- A doctor could be given Maurice Bucaille's 'The Bible, the Qur'an and Science; - A lawyer could be given books on Islamic Law; - An interest in comparative religion could be met with the videos of Ahmed Deedat, Jamal Badawi, and Hamza Yusuf; - A spiritually minded ma'du could be given 'The Way of Muhammad' of Shaikh 'Abdal Qadir al-Sufi and the literature of Shaikh Nuh-Ha Mim Keller and their videos. A number of organisations provide free literature on a wide variety of subjects, including those mentioned above. Search around your local and distant community for such organisations.
9. A da'i approaching a mad'u should have the intention to convey the message of Islam not the intention to debate/embarrass/insult the mad'u. It is not a matter of winning or losing since if it were, the mad'u would spend more time concentrating upon defending himself rather than listening to the message that is being conveyed. Sometimes a da'i can win the debate but lose the mad'u.
One day, Imam Abu Hanifah came across his son Hammad debating with someone. After he had finished, Imam Abu Hanifah approached his son and informed him that it was not permissible to debate. Hammad was very surprised and asked his father:
"I see you every day debating with non-Muslims. If it is not allowed why do you do it?" His father replied: "There is a difference between the way I debate and the way you do. The way I debate is permissible because my intention is to please Allah and convey the true message, not to please myself. When I saw you debating, you were not delivering the message but were trying to win the argument. You were pleasing yourself and not Allah Ta'la. When I am debating, I do not make eye contact with the person, since if the person is struggling to provide answers to my questions, I do not want them to feel any shame as this might be a barrier to them taking in the message."
(Preface of The Hidaya, by Mulla Ali Qari)
10. When the da'i approaches the mad'u, he should correct misconceptions. For example: when talking to a Christian, he could mention how the Qur'an makes numerous references to Mary and Jesus. Indeed there is a whole chapter on Mary in the Qur'an, the only woman who is mentioned with such a high status. This would make them curious and want to read the Qur'an to see for themselves what Allah has revealed concerning it. If necessary, he could talk about the points where there are disagreements between Islam and Christianity - such as the Bible being the word of God, the trinity, the crucifixion of Jesus, atonement etc. He should then provide literature that contains answers to these areas, such as the Izhar al-Haq of Maulana Rahmatullah Kairanvi (may Allah be pleased with him) or the videos or pamphlets of Sheikh Ahmad Deedat.
11. The da'i should be generous and hospitable, not miserly and reclusive. Hospitality is a very effective way of performing da'wah. If you have been very hospitable but the mad'u has not yet accepted Islam, the da'i should not become angry or disheartened because it is only Allah Ta'ala who has the power to change the hearts of people. It was the custom of Prophet Ibrahim to eat with a guest. One day, while sitting with a guest, he began talking about the oneness of Allah to which the guest remarked that he did not believe in this. This made Ibrahim so upset, he asked him to leave - before they had eaten the meal. Soon after, the angel Jibreel came to him with a message from Allah Ta'ala: "Ibrahim, why did you become upset, and prevent your guest from eating the food? I have been providing his food for 60 years and he has not listened to me but I am not upset." At this Ibrahim went out to find the guest and reinvited him for a meal. The guest questioned his motives and Ibrahim recounted the visit of Jibreel. The guest returned for the meal and was so impressed that he embraced Islam.(Qasas al-Anbiya', chapter on Prophet Ibrahim)
12. The da'i should talk to the mad'u according to his intellect and understanding, without overloading the ma'du with information but at the same time making steady progress.
13. The da'i should be friendly and easily approachable so that the mad'u feels at ease around him/her and not afraid to ask questions. The mad'u should never feel under personal attack.
14. The da'i should not be afraid to say, 'I don't know, but I will find out for you.' No-one is expected to know everything.
15.If the mad'u becomes a Muslim, it is the responsibility of the da'i to teach him/her the basic teachings of Islam and to bring them into contact with other Muslims. In this way Allah Ta 'ala ensures they are protected, in good company and guided on Islamic matters. If the da'i approaches a mad'u who accepts the invitation of Islam, there is a great reward from Allah Ta'ala. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, told 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that if a non-believer becomes Muslim as a result of one person's da'wah, the reward for that da'i is so great that it is better than the world and all it contains. (Sirat al-Nabi, chapter on Khaybar, by Hafidh Ibn Kathir)