Q & A

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلوة والسلام على نبينا محمد وعلى اله واصحابه اجمعين

Tips to answer questions asked by Non-Muslims

• Tip #1 – Say, THANK YOU… Start by saying “Thank you..”, whenever they try to insult Islam with an abusive question like, “How come you Moslems hate Christians?” Our belief is, the best way to handle the problems of presenting Islam and putting an end to the abusive attitudes of people from other religions, is to follow the way of Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) and stop following the ways of the enemies of Islam. This was his way and we try to follow it. “Thank you for asking me about my religion!..” Imagine their faces when you come back with something very polite and simple. You continue, “You have an interesting question concerning Islam and I congratulate you for seeking correct knowledge about our faith”.
• Tip #2 – Now you make a statement that usually commits your listener to stay for the answers, “From your question, it seems you really would like to know the real truth about Islam and as a Muslim, it’s my duty to share the message of worshipping God as One God, Alone and without any partners.”
• Tip #3 – Now tell them – Islam is not what some Muslims do — Islam is what all Muslims are supposed to do.”
• Tip #4 – Do not debate or argue. This is against what Allah teaches us in Quran and not what our Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) taught us. I advise myself and all of us to stop looking for ‘loop-holes’ in other religions and not to debate with them if it is not necessary. Actually that is a very poor approach if you really want to help others learn the beauty of Islam. Now here are some more important “Tips & Points” to keep in mind:
• Tip #5 – Muslims cannot lie about anything, especially about our religion. As simple as this sounds, it is something I have found to be important to mention to people in giving Dawah. Islam insists on the truth even when it is against us.
• Tip #6 – Don’t be shy or hesitant to bring the proofs of Islam. Our sources are authentic and still available today in original Arabic language. This is most unique to Islam and not available in other ancient religions.
• Tip #7 – Listen closely to what the other person is saying and qualify it against what they really mean. Example: “son of god” may not mean the same to all Christians and may even be a good way to open up the dialog of the Unity of God and how He could not really have a “son” as this would imply many strange things.
• Tip #8 – Keep in mind sometimes questions contain statements that are false and should not be treated as questions until the falsehood is removed. Example: “Is your mother out of jail, yet?” This cannot be answered with “Yes” or “No” because either way it implies that your mother is or has been in jail and this is not true.
• Tip #9 – Don’t try to be funny, cute or sarcastic. This is distracting and not appropriate.
• Tip #10 – Watch for positive feedback. Very often while giving the answer, we hear the person we are talking to saying something like, “I didn’t know that.” Or they might say, “This is actually something good.”
• Tip #11 – Stay alert and when this occurs you can ask them, “Are you ready to rethink your position?” Or maybe something like, “Are you prepared to worship your God and your Lord without and partners?”
• After all, isn’t this Islam is really all about? The most important subject is the worship of Almighty God, without any partners or associates or gods beside
• Almighty God..

Is it allowed to quote the previous scriptures while doing Dawah?

Today we see that the Ummah has gone into two extremes concerning the usage of the other scriptures. A group of them considers it haram (prohibited) to quote the scriptures, whereas the other group has memorized a fair portion of these scriptures while not being able to recite the Quran properly. The moderate and correct view in this issue is that it is permissible to quote their scriptures to convince them about the mention of our prophet in their books, but at the same time the establishment of proof against the disbelievers can ONLY be done by the Quran and the Hadith. The other scriptures cannot serve as a means to establish the proof against the disbelievers.

On the authority of Ata’ Ibn Yasar, al-Bukhari reported in his Sahih:

“I met Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aa’s and asked him, Tell me about the description of Allah’s Messenger which is mentioned in Torah.

He replied, Yes. By Allah, he is described in [the] Torah with some of the qualities attributed to him in the Qur’an as follows: “O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, a giver of glad tidings, and a warner.” (33:45)

So it was a practice amongst the companions who accepted Islam, to look for the mention of Muhammad in their books.

Allah mentions in Chapter 3: Verse 93, the meaning of which can be translated as: All food was lawful to the Children of Israel, except what Israel made unlawful for himself before the Taurât (Torah) was revealed. Say (O Muhammad): “Bring here the Taurât (Torah) and recite it, if You are truthful.

Bukhari (Vol.8. Hadith No. 809):

Narrated Ibn Umar (RA): A Jew and a Jewess were brought to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) on a charge of committing illegal sexual intercourse.

The Prophet asked them: What is the legal punishment (for this sin) in your Book (Torah)?

They replied: Our priests have innovated the blackening of faces with charcoal and Tajbiya’ (being mounted on a donkey, with their faces in opposite directions, then mortified in public).

Abdullah bin Salaam said: 0 Allah’s Messenger, tell them to bring the Torah.

The Torah was brought, and then one of the Jews put his hand over the Divine Verse of the Rajm (stoning to death) and started reading what preceded and what followed it.

On that, Ibn Salaam said to the Jew: Lift up your hand.

The Divine Verse of the Rajm was under his hand. So Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) ordered that the two (sinners) be stoned to death, and so they were stoned.

Conclusion:

We can clearly see that it is permissible to use other scriptures during our Dawah, when it is required.

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلوة والسلام على نبينا محمد وعلى اله واصحابه اجمعين

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمَّا بَعْدُ

The Ummah seems to be split into two extremes in this issue: Some say that we need to reform the Ummah first and they underestimate the importance of Dawah to Non-Muslims, while others claim the opposite.
Allah says in the Quran:
3:104 (the meaning of which can be translated as):

Let there arise out of You a group of people inviting to All that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. 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 the successful.
3:110 (the meaning of which can be translated as):

You [true believers In Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; You Enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and All that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and All that Islam has forbidden), and You believe In Allah. and had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have Faith, but Most of them are Al-Fâsiqûn (disobedient to Allah – and rebellious against Allah’s Command).

Let it be known, that Al-Ma’roof includes all sorts of good deeds, the highest and greatest of which is proclamation of the Tawheed of Allah and Al-Munkar includes all sorts of evils, the gravest and most despicable of them being As-Shirk (associating partners with Allah).
So the command that Allah has given us, includes the responsibilities of Dawah and Islah collectively. The Madinan period of the Prophet’s life gives us various examples, that while he was reforming the Muslim society, he was also writing letters to kings inviting them to Islam.

When a governor complained to Umar ibn Abdul Azeez (May Allah have mercy on him) that due to large number of people accepting Islam, the Jizyah tax (tax paid by non-Muslims in an Islamic state) was constantly decreasing, the great Caliph replied: “Allah had sent down Muhammad as a guide, not as a tax collector” , implying that it was a happy thing to hear that people are embracing Islam.
So the Ummah today is greatly in need of people who carry out both responsibilities without underestimating the necessity and importance of either of them.
وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وعلى اله واصحابه اجمعينو الحمد لله رب العالم
Taken from my blog:https://message4mankind.wordpress.com/dawah-training/

Who should do Dawah?

Islam is a religion that is built on firm knowledge and there can be no two views about it. The very first verses that were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) commanded him to read / recite. In chapter Muhammad (Chapter 47), Allah commanded the prophet (peace and blessings be on him) to know that there is none worthy of worship except Him, The All-Mighty. For any Muslim, male or female seeking knowledge has been made obligatory. For a daee (caller) it is even more essential, since he calls people to Islam, the chosen religion of Allah. It cannot be that a person calls others towards something which he doesn’t have knowledge about.

Allah mentions in Quran Chapter 47: Verse 19, the meaning which can be translated as:  So know (O Muhammad Sal-Allahu ‘alayhe Wa Sallam) that Lâ ilâha ill-Allah (none has the Right to be worshipped but Allah).

Also in many verse of Qur’an and hadith show us the importanceof doing Dawah,

 

 

 

وَلۡتَكُن مِّنكُمۡ أُمَّةٌ۬ يَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡخَيۡرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ‌ۚ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ .

Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity. (3:104) Also in

 

قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُون َ

Say: “O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back, say: ye! “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s will).”(3:110)

 

 

 

Consequently, Allaah praises those who engage in this noble endeavor as being the best in speech…

وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ قَوۡلاً۬ مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ

“Who is better in speech than one who calls to Allaah, does righteous deeds and says

indeed I am among the Muslims.” Soorah Fussilat, (41): 33

The best words that any human being can speak are words of guidance inviting people to the purpose of their creation; the worship of God..

 

 

 

 

Prophet (pbuh) addressed the great reward for this righteous pursuit saying,

“Whoever directs someone to do good will gain the same reward as the one who does good.”

1.He was also reported to have said,

“Whoever calls to guidance will receive the same reward as the one who follows him without any decrease in the reward of [his follower].”

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to ‘Ali (RA):
“If Allah guides a person through you, it is better for you than all that is on the earth.”
(Bukhari No. 2783 & Muslim No. 2406)

the Prophet(pbuh) was also reported by Sahl ibn Sa‘d as saying: “For Allaah to guide someone by your hand is better for you than having red camels.”

Camels were considered the most valuable property in ancient Arabia and the red variety

was the most prized of all. This fact

Further reiterated in Chapter al-‘Asr where Allah declares humankind in a state of loss With the exception of “those who advise each other with truth.”

Allaah also hinged the label of honor, “best of humankind,” granted to the

Muslim nation on the fulfillment of their da‘wah-duty of calling humankind to righteousness and prohibiting sin among them.

 

In the hadith Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 4, p. 442, no. 667. of prophet mohammed pbuh”said “Convey from me, even if it be only a single verse.”9

whenever the Prophet (pbuh) addressed people, he used to say: “Let those present convey what they heard to those absent. For, perhaps he may inform one better able to understand it than him. ”

 

Allaah’s Curse

In order to stress the gravity of da‘wah as a duty on Muslims, Allaah warned those who did not fulfill their responsibility in this regard of His curse and the curse of all His creatures.

إِإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡتُمُونَ مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَٱلۡهُدَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا بَيَّنَّـٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ‌ۙ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ يَلۡعَنُہُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَلۡعَنُہُمُ ٱللَّـٰعِنُون

“Indeed those who hide the clear messages and guidance that I have revealed after I Have made it clear to people in the scripture; those are cursed by Allah and cursed by all who curse.” Soorah al-Baqarah, (2):159

To have knowledge of Islaam but not convey it to others constitutes “hiding knowledge.” Hiding knowledge may be a deliberate act where in a person has the intention to keep the knowledge away from other people. This may occur in cases where people are asked about Islaam but refuse to reveal its teachings due to racial or tribal concerns…

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CALLER..

The individual who as accepted the duty of calling others to Allaah must possess certain characteristics to effectively convey the message. These attributes are mentioned in the Qur’aan and preserved in the record of the divinely guided lifestyle of the Prophet (r).

 

1.Knowledge. The foremost quality that the daa‘ee (caller) is One must have sound knowledge of what one is inviting others to. Allaah, Most Great and Glorious, instructed the Prophet (r) to inform others that his call to Islaam was based on knowledge

. قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ

“Say: This is my way and I invite to Allaah with certain knowledge …”

(Soorah Yoosuf, 12: 108)

 

2. Kindness / Gentleness. It is essential that the daa‘ee be soft in conveying the message because harshness could Easily discourage people from listening to the truth. Allah addressed this issue with

regard to the Prophet himself saying:

 وَلَوۡ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلۡقَلۡبِ لَٱنفَضُّواْ مِنۡ حَوۡلِكَ‌ۖ

“If you were harsh and hard hearted, they would have fled from around you.”

Soorah Aal ‘Imraan, (3): 159

The prophet (r) also prayed saying:

“O Allaah, be hard on whoever acquires control over the affairs of my nation and is hard on them. And be kind to whoever gains control over the affairs of my nation and is kind to them. Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p. 1016, no. 4494.

Gentleness in da‘wah affects the hearts of those being invited and makes them want to listen to the message.

 

3.Wisdom.  To convey the message of Islaam, the daa‘ee must adjust himself or herself to each situation and use the most appropriate material.

ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِ‌ۖ وَجَـٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَن

ُ‌ۚ“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good preaching. and reason with them in the better way.   (Soorah an-Nahl, 16: 125)

Some scholars of tafseer explain that “wisdom” mentioned in this verse refers to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah due to the wisdom which they contain as well as the guidance to righteousness and happiness.(ibn kaseer)

 

4. Patience. Most people who come to Islaam do so after a faith-seeking journey. Consequently, only a very few begin their search and end it with the same person. When declarations of faith are given it is after many stops on the road. Someone may start the person off and many help on the way and someone else helps the person finally declare their faith. Therefore,the responsibility of the daa‘ee is to convey the message and not to put faith in peoples hearts. As Allaah informed His Messenger (r) and his followers:

فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَيۡنَا ٱلۡحِسَابُ

“Your responsibility is only to convey [the message] and the accounting is on Me.”

(Soorah ar-Ra‘d, 13: 40)

 

. Morality. Great stress has been placed in Islaam on good moral character. Prophet Muhammad (r)summarized the essence of the Islamic message

“Indeed, I was only sent to complete the most noble of character traits.”And Allaah said in the Qur’aan,       وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ۬

“Surely you (Muhammad) have a magnificent character.”

(Soorah al-Qalam, 68: 4)

The Prophet’s companion, Ibn ‘Abbaas explained that “character” here meant “religion”,

i.e., Islaam.7 By using the term “character” to refer to the religion of Islaam, Allaah stresses the importance of morality in relationship to the religion. It was also reported that when the Prophet’s wife ‘Aa’ishah was asked about the Prophet’s character, she replied,

“His character was that of the Qur’aan.”8 That is, his manners were according to Allaah’s instructions in the Qur’aan. Consequently, the development of good character depends on closely following the Qur’aan and the teachings of the Prophet (r). In this regard, Allaah also said in the Qur’aan:

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬

“Indeed you have in the Messenger of Allaah a beautiful example (of

conduct)…” (Soorah al-Ahzaab, 33 :21)

Thus, the rites and rituals of Islaam cannot be separated from good manners. An-

Nawwaas ibn Sam‘aan quoted the Prophet (pbuh) as saying, “Righteousness is good character and sin is what itches in your heart and you dislike that

people would find out about it.( Sahih Muslim, vol. 4, pp. 1358-9, no. 6196.)

Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Prophet (r) as saying,

“The believer whose faith is most complete is he whose character is best. (Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmithee, vol. 1, p. 340, no. 928.)…

I Ask Allah to help us fulfilling our duties of Dawah and following the guidance of Allah and his messenger in Making dawah and each and every actions of our life,
وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وعلى اله واصحابه اجمعينو الحمد لله رب العالم