1-300-WHY-ISLAM AN ICNA-IFAM PROJECT

1-300-WHY-ISLAM Dawah Workshop

February 23rd 2014

Workshop Agenda

Introduction Purpose of Dawah Know your audience Dealing with conflict Key Messages of Dawah conversations

Topic 1- Violence Topic 2- ChristianityTopic 3- Women and Gender Issues Topic 4 – Shariah and Western Values

Rockaway dawah activities – next steps

Purpose of Dawah

Define dawah and what are your responsibilities?

What are the benefits

What are the consequences of not doing this work?

Know Your audience

Customise the delivery of your message to their understanding.

Use analogy as a toolBuild on similarities and items that they

already appreciate.Drive the conversation

Ask questions to know your audience Understand their concerns so that you can address

them

Etiquettes of A Daee

First purify your intentions always before starting

Recite “Auzubillah” and “Bismillah” at startAlways remain calm no matter what the

situationSpeak politely using good words and avoid

slangsGive good facial expressions while speaking Listen carefully to others viewpoint without

interruptDo not be rude by cutting their conversation

or by arguing with them in high pitch voiceGive full respect and show best manners to

attract

Etiquettes of A Daee

If you don’t know answer to any question, don’t feel shy in saying, “I don’t Know” to the person

Always try to give reference from Quran & Hadith, and avoid any unauthentic stories of the past

Increase your knowledge of Islam by reading books or articles, watching lectures of scholars online, etc..

How to steer a conversation to Dawah?

Trying to make a connection between caller’s question and Tawheed.

For example question Of Hijab can be connected to Oneness of Allah and how we should respect His authority

Explain what is Tawheed, then link it to Risaalah and then Akhirah

Engage in a healthy discussion or conversation BUT avoid any arguments or debates. If you see other party doing that then politely excuse from that

How to Find an opportunity in every Dawah?

Golden Rule: Don’t just answer their question and query then stop!

Instead ask questions that provoke their interest into Islam, its beliefs and practices….this is engaging caller

If you feel caller has time and is interested to learn then give details about Islam, beliefs & practices

Remember you can impact more thru your Character than words out of your mouth, so present your best manners and etiquettes while talking to the person

Dealing with conflict

Avoid saying negative of other religionsAcknowledge that they have the right to

chose their belief systemBuild on similarities, before pointing out

differencesAcknowledge the good that you seeBe prepared to clarify the Islamic position on

issues, even if they won’t be accepted by the listener.

The responsibility is to give the message, the rest is from Allah.

Basic Messages

What are the key elements that must be conveyed with priority in a dawah conversation?

List in order of priority

Basic Messages of Dawah

Present Allah (Tawheed)Present Muhammad (saw)Present Life after death

Be prepared to respond to comments like I don’t believe in life after death Purpose of religion is high moral character. Why Islam? How can you arrogantly say you will go to Paradise and I will go

to Hell?Present the Quran

ViolenceWhy are muslims killing innocent civilians?Why are there verses that condone killing in the

Quran? “…Kill them wherever they are found…”(9:5)

Doesn’t the Quran state not to take the Jews and Christians as friends? (5:57)

Wasn’t Islam spread by the sword?Why do you have the concept of Jihad or Holy war ?Why do you believe your religion to be superior to

others?

Why are muslims killing innocent civilians?

Acknowledge the question “ I can understand why you might have that concern based on recent media coverage…”

Separate actions of muslims from teachings of IslamState clearly that Islam condemns the killing of

innocent people “…if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for

spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” Al Mai’da 5:32

Every religion has ‘good’ and ‘bad’ adherents to the faith Cite a recent terrorist act by non-muslims (e.g. Tucson) Last decade not representative of previous 1400 years

Why are there verses that condone killing in the Quran? “…Kill them wherever they are

found…”(9:5)

A set of words from any text can easily be taken out of context. The context of fighting here is specifically during a declared war Point out the verses before and after that refer to safety of those that

don’t want to fight If this verse was referring to anything other that the war setting

then why is there such a strong history of peaceful co-existence between muslims and non-muslims?

……If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith.

(But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.

But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.

Doesn’t the Quran state not to take the Jews and Christians as friends? (5:57)

“O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith…” 5:57

Translation issue – “awliyah” not acurately translated to “friend”

Distinguish “friend” from “spiritual friend” – ie. Someone you can consult with and trust in religious/spiritual matters.

Give example of muslim man married to a woman from the people of the book. The wife is a “friend” but not a “spiritual friend”

Emphasize the special relations and respect for “people of the book”

Wasn’t Islam spread by the sword?

Clarify islamic position on religious freedom “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256)

Vast majority of Islam spread through peaceful means Some instances in history where Islam was spread by

conquests – but atrocities committed were against the teachings of Islam

Examples of non-violent spread of islam America – Islam is fastest growing religion - No Swords,

rather false propaganda. Spain - 800 years of Muslim rule allowed non-muslims to

flourish without conversion– forced out by Crusaders Arab world - 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians Indonesia – largest muslim population – Which war occurred

there?

Christianity1) I don’t really know much about Islam. Can you tell me what

it’s about?2) Our God is loving and merciful but yours will punish you for

the sins you commit. I see many verses in your Quran that describe the way he will punish mankind in the hell fire. Our God is more loving and that’s why we believe in him.

3) Why don’t you believe in the Trinity? Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Just believe in him and you’ll be saved.

4) Why should I take this Quran to read when I have my own Bible. Yes, I know how you guys criticize the Bible because you say it isn’t completely consistent. But you don’t understand - the whole beauty of the Bible is that we have multiple Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John +…) which all relate the same overall story about Jesus. I’d rather believe in a book that has multiple authors saying the same thing than a single book that non-one can verify.

5) Do you believe that as a Christian I will go to Hell?

I don’t really know much about Islam. Can you tell me what it’s about?

An open ended question that is a perfect opportunity for dawah.

Consider how you can bring this question up in your conversations. “What do you know about Islam?”

Why don’t you believe in the Trinity? Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Just believe in him and you’ll be saved.

1) What do Muslims believe about Jesus (AS) and God – Tawheed ? start with similarities

virgin birthwill returnreceived revelationmiracles etc…

then explain differencescrucifixionservant versus divinity

2) Why do we believe this?- Injeel versus Bible- Bible versus Quran- How is authenticity of a book determined/ Preservation of each- Should core beliefs not be mentioned clearly without ambiguity?- Which is the only book (from Last testament, new testament and Quran)

that contains the word Trinity? Quran

Women & Gender Issues

Why do women cover up and hide their beauty?

Why does Islam promote polygamy?Why did your prophet have multiple wives?If Islam really promotes justice for women,

as you claim, then why are women denied their rights in muslim countries?

Why can a man go to work, but a woman usually stays at home?

Why did your prophet (pbuh) marry a child (Aisha)?

Why do women cover up and hide their beauty?

Primary reason is to obey the command of God and to seek His pleasure Connect to purpose of life, worship, life after death etc.

Analogies - Islam did not introduce the modest dress code It simply maintains the importance of what used to be a

broad practice Compare with Nuns, Mary, orthodox Jews, Hindus etc Compare dress code in America 50-100 years ago

“….in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed…” (Qur’an 33:59). A self check for noble character – Need to live up to a dress

code associated with piety Participants in society without drawing attention to

sexualityMaintaning decency in society is a responsibility

shared by men and women

Why did your prophet have multiple wives?

Marriage to Khadija (RA) – monogomous marriage (from age 25 till 50) Known from his chastity even from a young age in a society

that was sexually promiscous.Married 11 wives between ages 53 to 60 and had 9

when he died at 63. He had responsibilites as a Prophet: To teach muslims compassion with women including the

weak and destitute widows, divorcees, orphans, and elderly women.

To pass on islam to the next generations as a practical legacy Aisha RA was the only one that was a virgin at the time of

marriage. She survived 47 years after his death and was a great source of passing on his tradtion/learning.

To cement relations among the muslims To build relations with other tribes/religions