Class 6

‘Right of Knowledge -II’

Dawah | Patience

DAWAH

“By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience.” (Surah Al Asr)

We studied about Faith (which comes with Knowledge) and implementing it. But it is not sufficient that a person learns knowledge and acts himself and does not call to Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. Rather he must call and invite others so that he benefits himself and benefits others, and because this knowledge is something he is entrusted with, it is not your personal property which you can hoard away and withhold from the people, when the people are in need of it. So what is obligatory upon you is to convey it and to explain it and to call the people to good. He the Most High said:

And when Allaah took the solemn agreement from those who were given the scripture, you must make it clear to the people and not conceal it[3:187]

This is a solemn agreement which Allaah took from the ‘ulemaa (people of knowledge) that they would make clear to the people that which Allaah has taught them, in order that the good should spread, and to bring the people out from the depths of darkness into light, and this was the work of the Messengers and of those who followed them. He the Most High said:

Say: “This is my way, I call to Allaah upon clear knowledge, I and those who follow me, and Perfect is Allaah and I am not from the people of shirk (those who associate others with Allaah).”[12:108]

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Convey from me even an Ayah of the Qur’an….” [Al-Bukhari].

This is the way of Messenger ﷺ and the way of his followers: knowledge, action and calling to Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. So whoever does not call, and he has the ability to call, and he has knowledge and he conceals it, then he will be given a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection as occurs in the hadeeth.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “He who is asked about knowledge (of religion) and conceals it, will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection.” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, classed as Hasan Sahih by Albani).

Giving da’wah is in general a communal obligation. But practically in our times, one can argue that in many cases it becomes an individual fard that we’re all required to practice. This is because there are so few Muslims who have any correct knowledge of the religion, and so many who’re giving improper da’wah, teaching people innovations in religion and often shirk. In order to combat the da’wah of shaytan, we need to build the habit of calling people to Allah.

VIRTUES OF DAWAH

Allah says,

• “And who is better in speech than one who calls to Allah and works righteousness and says: ‘Surely I am of the Muslims.’ ” (41: 33)
• “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining Al-Ma’roof (Islamic monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (Polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are successful.” [Qur’an: Chapter 3, Verse 104]

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

• “The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).” He ﷺ went on to say, “Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge.” [At-Tirmidhi, classed as Hasan].
• “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Sahih Bukhari, Tirmidhi & Abu Dawood)
• “By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than a whole lot of red camels.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
• “When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three – an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge or a righteous son who will pray for him.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1631)
• “Whoever calls people to right guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their reward in the slightest, and whoever calls people to misguidance will have a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their burden in the slightest.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2674)
• “Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Allah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Giving Dawah is the way of the Prophets, It is the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. and those who followed him in righteousness. It is a sign of completeness of tawheed and strength of eeman. You are only comfortable in telling others to do something if you yourself believe it to be true. So giving da’wah is a fruit of eeman, it also strengthens one’s eeman by bringing one closer to Allah.

PILLARS OF GIVING DAWAH

The pillars which support the correct da’wah are clearly shown in the Book and the Sunnah, and can be summarized as follows:

• Knowledge of that which one calls to
• Acting in accordance with that which he calls to
• Purity Of intention (al-ikhlaas)
• Beginning with what is of primary importance (intellect, wisdom and the natural way necessitates that the starting point is to wage war against the danger of shirk and call towards Tawheed, and that the was call of the Prophets and their followers), then with that which comes next in importance, and so on
• Patient perseverance in facing difficulties encountered in calling to Allaah, and in facing harm from the people:
• The caller must be a person of good manners
• The caller must remain firm in his expectation and hope for good

SIMPLE WAYS TO DO DAWAH

It is from Allah’s grace upon us in these times that there are many ways to give da‘wah and sufficient opportunities for everyone to participate and benefit from its great rewards.

We should also direct our invitation to everyone, including immediate family, relatives, servants, guests, neighbors, colleagues and his friends.

Cooperation or collaborating in da‘wah is also important as there are many others striving to give the invitation whose skills and experience may benefit you and yours may benefit them. Learning from their experiences will help you to be more creative and upgrade your knowledge and da‘wah skills.

Since people are often at a loss as to how they should go about giving da‘wah, and use their ignorance as an excuse not to do anything, the following list of suggestions have been compiled from among the many possible ways to give da‘wah in order to make the way easier:

At Home:

• Household library. Share books with family, friends and neighbours.
• Family lessons. Learn a portion from the Qur’aan and hadeeth together as a group.
• Family Competitions.
• Family Magazine. Create a family magazine by having family members participate writing essays or in cutting articles and pictures related to Islam from the magazines and newspapers which you bring home.
• Participation in Islamic Social Work. Have your brother or son accompany you to the prayers, lectures or to visit a sick person or a scholar or the offices of Da‘wah.
• Righteous Acts in Public. Do some righteous acts in front of the family, such as prayer, reading Qur’an and giving charity, as an example for them to learn from.

At School:

• Morning Assembly. For those who can, help to prepare da‘wah oriented material for the morning assembly and the school’s morning broadcast.
• Bulletin Boards.
• Lectures
• Competitions. Organize Islamic and academic educational competitions between the students and schools and distribute Islamic prizes.
• Facilitating Student Input.
• Islamic Library.
• Exhibitions and Expositions.
• Islamic Week. Request that the school dedicate a week annually to Islamic exhibitions, displays, posters, artifacts, videos, books and tapes.
• Summer Camps.

At the Work Place:

• The Islamic Example. This is the most important thing, lead by example. Do your job to the best of your ability at all times as a good Islamic example to your co-workers.
• Your Desk. Do not be ashamed, keep Da‘wah material on your desk at all times, among your books, in a rack.
• Invitations. Invite interested co-workers to lectures and other Islamic events, as well as to visit Islamic da‘wah offices.
• Congregational Prayer. Establish congregational prayer in the office or invite co workers to accompany you to the nearby mosque. How many stories of reverts have we heard that they started learning about Islam after they saw people praying.
• Open Discussions. As mentioned in the questions above.
• Social Projects. Andshare about how the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the virtues and rewards mentioned about these good acts.

General Means of Da’wah:

• Da‘wah Posters. Posters at social media or at home as Art but also helps remind.
• Da‘wah Album. Collect awe-inspiring pictures and powerful Da‘wah slogans in da‘wah albums which may be kept for visitors and guests or given as a gift.
• Marriages. This is time a lot of people are present, a short reminder or book distribution can be of great benefit.
• Stickers. Arrange for the posting of stickers containing beneficial Islamic reminders in appropriate locations.
• Subscriptions. Give a subscription to an Islamic institute to someone as a gift or donate the amount of the subscription to a Da‘wah office so it can choose someone to send it to.
• Collect Used Magazines and Books. Start a project to collect used magazines and Islamic books, etc. from homes and institutions in order to ship them or distribute them where they are needed.
• Open Letters. Prepare letters for specific categories of people. For example, letters may be directed to the neighbor of a mosque, to the mosque’s imaam, to the public speaker, to the doctor, to the teacher, a trader, a security guard, or a prisoner.
• The Charity Clinic. Doctors concerned about da‘wah can provide free medical checks up from a supportive private clinic and then give Dawah.
• Islaamic Exhibitions. Arrange for book exhibitions by the major bookstores, cultural exhibitions by the Culture and Tourism Board or a cultural tent to visit schools and companies and participate in some of major science and technology expositions with the goal of da‘wah in mind.
• Join/Volunteer at Da‘wah organisations.
• Visit the Sick. It’s a time when generally a person is reflective and hoping for good from Allah, a reminder at this time can go a long way.
• Supplications. The Least we should be doing.

Tips on how to begin Da’wah (To Non-Muslims)

• What do you know or think about Islam?
• Current issues. Ex: What do you think about Hijaab or the War in Iraq?)
• Have you been to a Muslim Country? How do you feel about being in there? Discuss the differences between being in their country and being in a Muslim country as a means to clarifying misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.
• How has your impression of the Muslim Countries changed since coming here?
• Are you religious? What does your Religion say is the Purpose of Existence, Afterlife (especially Heaven & Hell)?
  
  

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

Allahs says,

“Do you enjoin righteousness upon others while you ignore your own selves, although you keep reciting the Book? Have you then no sense?”.(Surah Baqarah Ayah 44)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

• “The likeness of the scholar who teaches people good and forgets himself is that of a lamp which gives light to the people but burns itself.” (Narrated by at-Tabaraani; classed as hasan by al-Albaani).
• “A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and cast into the Hellfire, and his intestines will pour forth in Hell. He will go around them  as a donkey around a millstone. The people of Hell will gather around him and say: What has happened to you? Were you not enjoining good and forbidding evil? He will say: Of course, I used to enjoin good but I did not practice it myself, and I used to forbid evil but I practiced it myself.”(Bukhaari & Muslim)

DO NOT BE HARSH

Among the qualifications necessary for giving Dawah is that we should have patience, kindness, and gentleness with forbearing temperament as the prophets (peace be upon them) were.

Never should a Da`y be rushing, violent, or unduly strict. Rather, he/she has to be patient, forbearing and kind while practicing Da`wah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

• “Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.” [Surah Al-Nahl, 16: 125]
• “And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allâh).”[Surah Ta­Ha, 20: 44]

The Prophet ﷺ is authentically reported to have said: “O Allah, whoever gains control over some affairs of my people and is hard upon them, be hard upon him, and whoever gains control over some affairs of my people and is kind to them, be kind to him.” (Sahih Muslim & Ahmad)

So, it is obligatory for us, slaves of Allah, to be kind in our Da`wah, and not to be harsh with people. We should not make people turn away from Islam because of our harshness, ignorance or violent, harmful approach. It is thus obligatory for us to be forbearing, gentle, pleasant and lenient in speech so that our words may have an effect on the heart of our brother/sister, or that it may have an effect on one toward whom our Da`wah is directed. As such, people will receive our Da`wah better, will be affected by it and will show appreciation. On the contrary, the Dawah presented to the people in a way that they dislike and is made unpleasant and detestable by having harshness, severity and recklessness causes disaffection, alienation, and division, not unity. Since these matters are even disliked in the affairs of the Duniya let alone in the matters of the Deen.

Advising about Refuted speakers/scholars

There are many speakers who are well known amongst the Ummah now because of their strong online presence but they have been refuted by Scholars that we shouldn’t be taking core knowledge from them. Now we see general people having a go at these speakers (which is against the etiquette of Muslims) and it is purely counter-productive. We should not just criticize instead we should offer alternatives of trusted scholars.

One of the reasons the general people do not want to hear against them is that they became practicing because of these speakers and so hold a special place in their hearts. You having a go at them will only take them further away from the right scholars and likely make them fans of these individuals.

DO NOT ARGUE

As we studied in the signs of Non-beneficial knowledge, how often do we see a person who just starts learning tend to get into arguments, discussions/healthy debates are good but arguments generally end up leaving a bitter feeling and the person being called resenting and getting further away from the truth.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right…”(Abu Dawood, classed as Hasan by Albani)

Sufyaan said: “The scholar does not argue nor does he flatter (others). He only spreads the wisdom of Allaah. If it is accepted from him, he praises Allaah. And if it is rejected, he praises Allaah.”

Rules to follow to have a healthy and productive discussion

The general rule is that we do not get into arguments but that doesnt mean we avoid any kind of productive discussion or debate. If we make certain ground rules for our discussions we can hope for it to be rewarding InShaAllah.

1. Choose who you do it with. This is the most important rule, we should realise a healthy discussion is not for everyone. If a person is known to argumentative or vile and harsh in behaviour, it’s best not to get into discussions with him/her, there are high chances of the discussion taking wrong turns and ending up stirring hatred or making us things we might regret.
2. No one will lose. Remember you are doing it to for the sake of Allah, so either you will teach something or you will learn something, either way it is a win win and no one loses in its actual sense. The only loss is when we turn it into an argument and then we only want to win it.
3. You will be rewarded. Whether you teach or learn you will be rewarded by Allah, of nothing happens and it turns into an argument, choose to keep quite and be amongst those who the Prophetﷺpromised a house in paradise (hadeeth quoted earlier).

Having patience upon harm which is encountered whilst carrying this out

The fourth Ayah in Surah Asr “…and recommend one another to patience “, this is having patience upon any harm encountered whilst carrying it out (Dawah).

It is known that whoever calls the people, and commands the good and forbids the evil, then he will be exposed to harm from the evil-doers, because many of the people do not want good, rather they want desires and forbidden things and false whims, so when someone comes who calls them to Allaah and who deters them away from their desires, then there will certainly be a reaction from them either in speech or in action.

If building a physical structure needs effort and patience until it is complete, then building souls and guiding them to the truth also needs patience and sacrifice. The Messenger ﷺ called people to Islam, patiently bearing the persecution of the disbelievers and hypocrites. They made fun of him and disbelieved in him; they insulted him and threw stones at him; they said that he was a sorcerer or a madman; they accused him of being a poet or a soothsayer – but he ﷺ  bore all that with patience until Allah granted him victory and caused His Religion to prevail. So the da’iyah must follow his example:

“So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true; and let not those who have no certainty of Faith discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)” [al-Rum 30:60 – interpretation of the meaning]

Imam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: “Whoever proceeds upon the Straight Path that the Messengerﷺand his companions were upon, let him make himself get used to trouble from the ignoramuses and Ahlul-Bid’ah, such as them belittling him, attacking him, warning against him.”

So what is one who calls to Allaah and desires the Face of Allaah should do is to have patience upon the harm, and he should persist in calling to Allaah, and his example in that regard will be the Messengers ‘alaihimussalaatu wassalaam, and the best of them and their seal is Muhammad ﷺ, and whatever harm befalls him then it will be reward from Allaah the Perfect and Most High, upon the scale of his good deeds.

Allah rewards for the efforts

Allah SWT says:“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen – then he will be rewarded for it with the fullest reward.” (Surah An-Najm, 39-41)

As indicated in the verses above, Allah SWT won’t necessarily see who is number one on the results chart, but rather who used their maximum effort (in line with the correct intention for His sake). The human being will have nothing benefiting them except the efforts they made. Notice how Allah SWT never said ‘the perfect prayer or X or Y good deed’– he didn’t highlight the act itself – rather, he is highlighting the sa’ee (effort) – the striving, the struggle, the exertion.

What better judge than Allah? 

Part of the perfection of Allah and His infinite mercy, is that by looking at our efforts (& of course, intentions!), He is rewarding us for the hidden just as much as the apparent. Unlike the interviewer who didn’t appreciate the days you spent preparing for the interview, or the examiner who never saw the countless nights spent in the library, Allah judges us by something that often goes unrecognised by the human mind. By others, we are judged by our results, but by Allah, we are judged in the unseen, and in the best and most just of ways. After all, “…who is better than Allah in judgement for a people who are certain [in faith].” (Surah Al-Maidah, Verse 50)

May Allah make us all amongst the people who learn, implement and preach.

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TIPS OF TEST

1. Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
2. Remember the virtues.
3. Remember the warnings.