How to

DO
Dawah?
By Brother Zaid Patel

Dawah Training Course

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1. Know the priorities in Dawah

The First priority in Dawah is Tawheed

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Fussilat 41:331

And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does
righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Yusuf 12:108

Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:64

Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable

between us and you - that we worship none but Allah

The biggest sin, wrongdoing, evil is "Shirk" (Associating partners with

Allah)
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Nisa 4:48

"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives
what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others
1 The Quran translation quoted is from the English translation by Saheeh International, available in
print by Al-Qaasim Publishing House, also available on the internet at www.islamsmessage.com

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with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin."

Shouldn't we start where Allah has started.

Throughout the Qur'an Imaan is mentioned before "Amal-us Saleh"
(righteous deeds)
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Baqarah 2:82,

But they who believe and do righteous deeds - those are the
companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
Also see Surah Al- Asr 103:1-3, also in Surah Tin 95:7

Even when Imaan is mentioned after Righteous Deeds it has been

mentioned as a condition, giving it more importance again.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Nahl 16:97

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a

believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely
give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what
they used to do.
[Also see Surah Nisa 4:124]

This is as per the guidance of Muhammed

Ibn Abbas

narrated,

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How to do Dawah? Guidelines for Dawah Workers

"When the Prophet of Allah

sent Muadh
to the
people of Yemen he said to him, "You are going to a nation from the
people of the Scripture, so let the first thing to which you will invite
them, be the Tauheed(oneness) of Allah. If they learn that, tell them
that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers to be offered in one day
and one night. And if they pray, tell them that Allah has enjoined on
them Zakat of their properties and it is to be taken from the rich among
them and given to the poor. And if they agree to that, then take from
them Zakat but avoid the best property of the people."
2

[NARRATED BY IBN ABBAS

RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 9:469, ALSO IN SAHEEH

MUSLIM :28]

The Prophet of Allah

commanded Muadh
to
begin his Dawah process with the call towards Tauheed i.e. the oneness
of Allah. This was also the primary Dawah of all Prophets as mentioned
throughout the Quran.
The primary stage of Dawah includes Tawheed, Risalah (Prophethood of
Muhammed
, Akhirah (life after death), Wahee (revelation,
specially about the Quran), Angels and Destiny (Allah knows all in
advance).

2. Make things easy, do not make them difficult

Abu Hurairah

narrated,

2 All References from Saheeh Bukhari are from the English translation by Muhammed Mohsin Khan (9
volumes) printed by Kitaab Bhavan also available on the internet at www.islamsmessage.com
3 All References from Saheeh Muslim are from the English translation by Abdul Hamid Siddiqi (4
volumes with continuous numbering) printed by Kitaab Bhavan also available on the internet at
www.islamsmessage.com

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How to do Dawah? Guidelines for Dawah Workers

"The Prophet
[NARRATED ABU HURAIRAH

Abu Burda

said, "Religion is very easy"

; RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 1:38]

narrated,

The Prophet
sent my father and Mu'adh bin Jabal
to Yemen and said (to them), "Make things easy for the people and do
not put hurdles in their way, and give them glad tiding, and don't let
them have aversion (i.e. to make people to hate good deeds) and you
both should work in cooperation and mutual understanding."
[NARRATED ABU BURDA

; RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 9: 284]

3. Invite them to Islam.

There is a difference in plainly tell them about Islam and inviting them to
Islam. A clear "invitation" to Islam needs to be given. Human nature is
such that we need someone to "Invite" us before we do something. For
example - If your neighbour was to tell you that he is cooking very tasty
food today. You will not go to his home unless he clearly invites you
there.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah An Nahl 16:125

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and
argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most
knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of
who is [rightly] guided
For the mention of "Invite" also see 3:104, 28:87, 12:108, 23:73, 7:193,
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13:36, 22:67, 40:42, 42:15

4. Use a suitable approach

Some people have a dominance of their intellect while other people have
a dominance of their heart in their thinking. In the Qur'an we find both
approaches

An example of the intellectual approach

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al Ambiya 21:22

Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they
both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne,
above what they describe.

An example of the emotional approach

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al Infitar 82:6

"O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the
Generous.. "
Do not use the same approach with everybody. Rather use a suitable
approach.

5. Feel care and concern for the person being invited

Allah says in the Quran in Surah At Tawba 9:128

"There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves.

Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to
the believers is kind and merciful.
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- The intention should never be to defeat or win. The intention should be

to save the person from the fire and be his sincere well wisher.

6. Speak straight, don't beat round the bush

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al- Ahzab 33:70-71

O you who have believed, fear Allh and speak the straight thing. He
will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And
whoever obeys Allh and His Messenger has certainly attained a great
attainment."
-What is wrong.. call it wrong.

7. Speak only authentic, proven things

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Yusuf 12:108

"Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allh with evidence, I and those who
follow me. And exalted is Allh; and I am not of those who associate
others with Him."
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Isra 17:36

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the
hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be
questioned.
One of the biggest problems today is Daees speaking without
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How to do Dawah? Guidelines for Dawah Workers

knowledge.
Prophet Muhammed

said,

"Pass it on from me even if it be one verse... And whoever tells a lie on

me intentionally, will surely take his place in (Hell) Fire."
[NARRATED BY ABDULLAH BIN AMR

; RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 4:667]

Pass it on from me i.e. Muhammed

. He
gave us the Quran and the authentic Hadith. We need to pass from
these authentic sources. And the last part of the Hadith gives a very
severe warning. Whoever lies in the name of Muhammed
will surely take his place in Hell fire.
Hence if you dont know a particular thing then say these words, I dont
know. These are words, which we should not have the least hesitation
to say. We are responsible for passing on only what we know. What we
dont know we should not speak out of ignorance. Deen is from its
authentic sources, it is not what we think or we speculate. Our
purpose in Dawah should be to seek the pleasure of Allah alone. The
intention should not be to gain the praise of people or any worldly
benefit. In that case it becomes difficult for a person to say, I dont
know since he is more concerned about what people will think of him.
Dont play with the fire of Hell by letting your desires enter into your
Dawah.
We should rather refer the matter to scholars and people of knowledge.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah An Nahl 16:43 and in Surah Al Ambiyah
21:7

So ask the people of the message, if you do not know

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8. Give good news

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Maryam 19:97

So, [O, Muhammad

], We have only made Qur'an easy in
the Arabic language that you may give good tidings thereby to the
righteous and warn thereby a hostile people.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Furqan 25:56

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a bringer of good

tidings and a warner.
-This is human nature. For example if a tired person is told that there is
a confirmed treasure of gold outside his which he should take before
anyone else does. He will surely forget his sickness and work hard for it.

9. Warn
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al Anaam 6:19

And this Qur'an was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and
whomever it reaches.
-Even this is human nature. Human beings need warnings to make them
act. For example, if a tired person who is unable to move is told that
there is a poisonous snake in the same room. He will surely forget his
tiredness and run out of the room.

10. Do not unnecessarily raise objections to answer them

yourself
Contrary to what most people expect a majority of people are very
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simple minded and do not have objections against Islam. In fact they are
in their normal lives least bit interested in these allegations against
Islam. Some Daees during their Dawah raise objections unnecessarily
and then answer them themselves. However, this becomes a diversion
from our main Dawah which is Tawheed, Prophethood, Akhirah,
Revelation, Purpose of life and so on. It is also possible that the Daee
may end up not being able to answer the objection satisfactorily!
However, if there is sufficient reason to believe that the person has that
question in his mind but is not asking it, then the case would be
different.

11. Convincing a person about a couple of secondary aspects of

Islam is not complete Dawah.
Even if a person gets convinced about Non-vegetarian food, Hijab or
polygamy, we have not yet completed our Dawah. There are many NonMuslims who agree with these concepts but yet continue to be NonMuslims! Our Dawah will not be complete until we do not satisfactorily
explain the fundamental aspects of Iman (mentioned in 1 above) and
until we invite them to Islam.

12. Use the best opportunites and create opportunities too.

Ibn Abbas

narrated,

When the Verse: -- 'And warn your tribe of near kindred.' (26:214) was
revealed. Allahs Messenger
went out, and when he had
ascended As-Safa mountain, he shouted, "O Sabahah!" The people said,
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How to do Dawah? Guidelines for Dawah Workers

"Who is that?" "Then they gathered around him, whereupon he said, "Do
you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the side of
this mountain, will you believe me?" They said, "We have never heard
you telling a lie." Then he said, "I am a plain warner to you of a coming
severe punishment."
[NARRATED BY IBN ABBAS

Ikramah

RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI6: 495]

narrated from Ibn Abbas

Preach to the people once a week, and if you won't, then preach them
twice, but if you want to preach more, then let it be three times (a week
only), and do not make the people fed-up with this Qur'an. If you come
to some people who are engaged in a talk, don't start interrupting their
talk by preaching, lest you should cause them to be bored. You should
rather keep quiet, and if they ask you, then preach to them at the time
when they are eager to hear what you say
[NARRATED BY IKRAMAH

Ibn Masud

RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 8: 349]

narrated,

"The Prophet
used to take care of us in preaching by
selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored.
[NARRATED BY IBN MASUD

RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 1: 68]

13. Law of Averages

- People may accept or may not accept. If they accept there should be
no arrogance. If they don't accept there should be no depression.
- Consider the large number of people who live on the earth. Surely
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How to do Dawah? Guidelines for Dawah Workers

there are many people who desire guidance.

The law of averages is that there is a certain average that a Daee will
find for himself (e.g. one in 10 etc). The Daee should not loose heart but
go on until he finds that person who is sincere and open to listening to
the truth and accepting it.

14. If you don't know the answers then ask for time.
-The example is that of Prophet Muhammad
when the
people asked him the 3 questions about the Ruh, Zul-karnain, Ashaabul
Kahf as mentioned in Surah Kahf (Surah 18)
[TAFSEER IBN KATHEER VOL 6, PAGE 112, UNDER THE SECTION, WHY THIS SURAH WAS REVEALED4]

- Never argue without knowledge and evidence

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-e- Imran 3: 66

Here you are - those who have argued about that of which you have
[some] knowledge, but why do you argue about that of which you have
no knowledge? And Allah knows, while you know not."
- It is part of knowledge to say that "I don't know". At-least you know
that you don't know!
- This is not "zillah" (insulting), rather this is the shariah!

15. Have patience

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Ahqaf 46:35

So be patient, [O Muhammad ] , as were those of

determination among the messengers and do not be impatient for
them.
4 Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Printed by Darrusalaam (10 volumes)

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- There should be no haste for results

-While talking to an argue some or insulting person, don't react to
everything that is said.
-Some people try to provoke..
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-e- Imran 3: 186

You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you
will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and
from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are
patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of
determination.
-Don't react as he wants.. react as Allah wants.

15. Argue in the best way: Repel evil with good

Allah says in the Quran in Surah An Nahl 16:125

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and
argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most
knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of
who is [rightly] guided.
-Don't forget that argue is at number 3 in the above mentioned verse.
-Even when they are bad we should continue to be good.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Fussilat 41:34-35

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And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that
[deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and
him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend. But none
is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except
one having a great portion [of good].
- Manners should be soft.
- Words should be refined. Bad language should be avoided.
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Taha 20:43-44

Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed. And speak to

him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear
[Allah]."
When Musa and Haroon (Peace be on them) were advised by Allah to
speak gently with the Firaun then surely we need to be gentle in speech
with all disbelievers today who are of a lesser level than the Firaun.

16. Ignore and overlook foolish talk

-Let us see the example of Musa (my peace be upon him)
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Ash-Shuara 26:23-30

Said Pharaoh, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?"

[Moses] said, "The Lord of the heavens and earth and that between
them, if you should be convinced."

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[Pharaoh] said to those around him, "Do you not hear?"

[Moses] said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers."

[Pharaoh] said, "Indeed, your 'messenger' who has been sent to you is
mad."

[Moses] said, "Lord of the east and the west and that between them, if
you were to reason."

[Pharaoh] said, "If you take a god other than me, I will surely place you
among those imprisoned."

[Moses] said, "Even if I brought you proof manifest?"

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Araaf 7:199

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the
ignorant.
See, how Musa (Peace be on him) is not reacting to what the Firaun is
saying and is consistently ignoring arrogant, foolish remarks.

17. Be a good listener too

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Allah says in the Quran in Surah At-Tawba 9:61

And among them are those who abuse the Prophet

and
say, "He is (all) ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that
believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who
believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah
- for them is a painful punishment.
- If we want to speak, we have to learn to listen too.
-Some people don't want to listen. But are only interested in
speaking. We fear for them:
Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Mulk 67:10

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would
not be among the companions of the Blaze."
-Also observe,
-From the expressions on the face and in the eyes of the person you can
estimate what effect your talk is having on him and appropriately change
the matter.

18. Do not abuse their deities

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Anaam 6: 108

And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult
Allah in enmity without knowledge. Thus We have made pleasing to
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How to do Dawah? Guidelines for Dawah Workers

every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He
will inform them about what they used to do.

19. Avoid putting the person in the "argue" mode

The Prophet

said:

"People did not go astray from guidance on which they were except due
to arguing"
[NARRATED BY
JAAMI

; RECORDED IN TIRMIDHI. HAAKIM, AUTHENTICATED BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL

5633]

Aisha

narrated,

Prophet Muhammed
said, "The most hated person in the
sight of Allah, is the most quarrelsome person."
[NARRATED BY AISHA

; RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI 3:637]

20. Be humble: Don't be proud

Allah says in the Quran in Surah An-Nisa 4:36

Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
The Prophet

said,

He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not
enter Paradise.
[NARRATED BY ABDULLAH BIN MASUD

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21. Remember that guidance is in the Hands of Allah alone

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Al-Qasas 28:56

Indeed, [O Muhammad
], you do not guide whom you like,
but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly]
guided.
- Remember that Allah is much much more merciful than us. If the
person is worthy in the sight of Allah of receiving guidance then Allah will
surely guide.
- Forgetting this important principle makes a person:
a. Impatient
b. Display bad Akhlaq (character)

22. Do Duaa for Allah's help and the persons guidance

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Taha 20: 25-28

[Moses] said, "My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance].

And ease for me my task. And untie the knot from my tongue. That they
may understand my speech."

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