Pocket Dawah Pocket Dawah, Essays (university) of Philosophy

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

IMPORTANCE OF DAWAH

INITIATION 1

INITIATION 2

GOD’S EXISTENCE

ONENESS

REVELATION

PROPHETHOOD

COMMON CONTENTIONS

SHAHADAH

COMMON CONTENTIONS TO SHAHADAH

AFTER SHAHADAH

DAWAH IN ACTION

CHECKLIST

So imagine you guide one person to Islam, and they start praying salaah, fasting, performing hajj and giving zakat. You would get the reward for all of that without ever doing the deeds yourself!

But it does not stop there. Imagine that person gets married and has children who also grow up to be pious Muslims who do good deeds; you would get the reward for that too!

An effective structure to introduce the foundations

of Islam is the GORAP, which stands for:

But wait, there’s MORE! If they then have pious children who grow up to be practising Muslims and do good actions, then you will get the reward for all of their good deeds as well.

In fact, this could go on for generation after generation until the Day of Judgement. You could be standing on the Day of Judgement, witnessing crowds of people, all of whom are descendants of the person who became Muslim through your hands, enter into Paradise. Subhanallah the reward is unimaginable!

So making dawah a key part of your life defines who you are, which will have an immensely positive impact on you and the Ummah.

My dear brothers and sisters, let us not delay our responsibility any longer. It’s time for us to step up to the mark and perform the duty of dawah commanded by Allah.

This booklet will guide you through some simple steps to giving effective dawah, so that you can help bring the light of Islam into someone’s life inshaa’Allah.

Allah says in the Quran:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in

themselves.” (Quran 13:11)

THE GORAP

APPROACH

G GOD’S EXISTENCE

The GORAP method allows you to control your conversation and avoid difficult situations. It allows you to take the non-Muslim on a journey that reveals some of the compelling reasons for Islam being the truth. To learn the GORAP effectively, practise on a friend or a member of your family first. But before we go into the GORAP we need to look at how to initiate a dawah conversation.

REVELATION

PROPHETHOOD

ONENESS

AND

R

O

A

P

Trying to answer EVERY uncomfortable question would most likely lead to an endless loop of argumentation, resulting in nothing more than a splitting headache!

The issue is that the non-Muslim does not understand the answers to the questions in the same way as we do. It is like they have a pair of red filtered glasses on and we are trying to persuade them that the sky is blue. But when they look at the sky, all they see is red!

INITIATION ONE

During dawah conversations, you

are likely to be asked uncomfortable

questions relating to topics such as

terrorism, hijab, homosexuality and

polygamy. We have to think about

the most effective way of dealing

with such questions.

So even if you give them the most persuasive logical reasons as to why the sky is blue, they will still say it’s red. So the most effective way to show that the sky is blue is to first get them to take off their red filtered glasses so they can see what you see. In other words, instead of answering the question, you direct them to the foundations of Islam and show how you know Islam is the truth.

So the most effective way to respond would be to direct the uncomfortable questions to the GORAP.

As we know, Islam is the truth and Allah is Al-Hakeem, the All-Wise. Decisions of all issues and matters belong only to Allah, the Lord, who knows everything. Whereas we, as human beings, have limited knowledge and must therefore submit to and depend on Allah.

So the simple explanation for why we do things in the name of Islam is because Allah commands it. And we follow it because we know that it is the truth. In order for the non-Muslim to understand this, we must first convince them of the rational foundations of Islam using the GORAP method.

If we get them to agree that Islam is the truth, they would understand that whatever comes from the truth is the truth! Even if God was to say that we have to roller skate on Tuesdays or wear leather jackets on Fridays, we would have to do it as God knows us better than we know ourselves.

N

1) Walk in front of a non-Muslim and hand out the initiation material.

2) Ask them a series of open-ended questions to start engaging in dialogue.

An example of this is:

Let’s take another example of

how to give dawah on the bus:

Once they are engaged in the conversation, stop for a moment, introduce yourself, ask their name and shake hands if they are of the same gender. It is important to create trust and friendship early on.

3) Once you have built rapport, you can then direct this conversation to the GORAP.

Excuse me, what do you

think is the purpose of life?

Do you follow a faith? (If yes,

then why follow that faith?)

Do you believe in a creator

of our universe? (If yes, then

why, and if no, why?)

INITIATION TWO

A dawah conversation can

be initiated anywhere by

simply asking the right

type of questions. Firstly,

let’s look at how you can

start a dawah conversation

during street dawah.

Wasim: Hello, do you mind if I sit there?

Wasim: Yes, you’re right. Are you from around here?

Wasim: Oh I see. I’m just studying here at the university..

Wasim: Really, what did you study?

Continued on next page...

Wasim: Thank you very much. (Smiled at man) I’m glad I got a seat; I would not have wanted to stand up for half an hour.

Man: Oh sure, please sit down.

Man: No, I just work here.

Man: I studied medicine. I’m now a doctor.

Man: I used to go the university here too.

Man: (Laughs) Yes it’s really busy around this time. Everyone is going back home from work.

1: Build conversation by asking questions

“What is your name?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do for a living?”

2: Direct the conversation to a dawah conversation

“Can I get your opinion on something I have been thinking about lately?”

3: Initiate the GORAP

“How do you think the universe came into existence?” “What do you think happens after we die?” “What do you think is the purpose of life?”

How to initiate a dawah conversation:

SUMMARY

Wasim: How do you think the universe came into existence?

David: Sure, please go ahead...

David: Umm, I am not too sure. I have never really thought about it!

Once they have answered your questions,

you can direct the conversation to God’s

existence by doing the following:

1) Summarise the answers they gave to your question.

2) Direct the conversation to God’s existence by saying the following:

The most important question to first address is do we have a creator of our universe? Have you ever considered the following…

3) Two Quranic arguments for God’s existence.

“Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain.” (Quran 52: 35-36)

GOD’S EXISTENCE

1. BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE

Wasim: Nice to meet you David. I know this is random and a bit out of the blue but can I get your opinion on something I have been thinking about lately?

Wasim: Really? I’m doing the same thing! Just to let you know my name is Wasim. (Smiles and shakes hand)

Man: Hi Wasim, my name’s David.

B) Our solar system is highly ordered with

intricate systems, laws and patterns which

indicate that there is an intelligent designer.

Let’s look at some examples of our ordered and perfectly balanced solar system:

The sun’s distance from the earth

The sun is at a perfect distance from the earth. If the sun was slightly further away, we would freeze and if it was any closer we would burn.

Ozone layer

If we did not have an ozone layer protecting us, we would be dramatically affected by the sun’s harmful rays.

Gravity

If the gravitational force was altered, this would have a massive effect on our existence.

Size of the sun,

earth and moon

If the size of the Sun or Earth was different, we would either be too hot or too cold. If the moon was a different size or did not exist, it would affect the gravitational force which stabilises the earth’s axis. This would have a huge effect on our seasons and would increase the speed of the earth’s rotation so that one day would only be a few hours long.

Earth’s axis

If the axis of the earth was altered, this would create chaos and our earth would be uninhabitable.

From the two arguments above we can conclude that the best explanation for our existence is that there is a creator of our universe who has an amazing amount of power and intelligence.

C) The order in our universe indicates

the intelligence of the creator!

CONCLUSION:

ONENESS

Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the

Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born,

nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (Quran 112)

It is important for the non-Muslim to agree that the creator

is different from creation, as that negates all other false

concepts of who the creator is, such as Jesus or an idol. This

can be done by asking the following questions:

A) Is the creator the same or different from creation?

If they agree that the creator is different, this negates all religions that say that God is within the creation.

It is evident to see that the nature of the creator is different from the creation. The creator has the power and ability to put this universe into existence, including all of the intricate laws, systems and planets. Whereas we as humans cannot even create a fly!

Also, when we make a chair or a table, we do not become the table. We are distinct and different from what we make. Similarly with the creator, it would be irrational to say that the creator created us and then became us or part of His creation.

However, if the creator is within the creation, this would mean that we have more creation!

The creator would need a creator, and then the creator of the creator would also need a creator. And you would end up with an infinite chain of creators.

B) Can we have an infinite chain of creators?

Imagine you are in a car park and you hear an echo saying “HELLO... HELLO... HELLO.” Would you assume that this echo is eternal? You wouldn’t because you know it must have started somewhere. In the same way, we cannot have an infinite chain of creators, because it must have started somewhere by a creator that is uncreated.

Another example is if a man knocked on your door and said that his car has broken down and he needs you to help push the car to restart it.

And you say that you will only help if your neighbour helps because the car is heavy. But your neighbour says they will only help if their neighbour helps. And your neighbour’s, neighbour’s, neighbour says they will only help if their neighbour helps! If this process of neighbours asking neighbours went on forever, would you ever help the man to move his car?

No, you wouldn’t!

Now let’s apply this principle to our scenario of creators creating creators going on forever. In the same way that the man’s car would not restart or move, similarly, the universe would not have been created. So for the universe to be in existence, we could not have an infinite amount of creators and instead would need a creator who is eternal. This answers the common question of who created God.

B) The amazing Quran

Preservation

Science - Cosmology

Origin of life

Mountains

Crust

Mantle Root

“Verily, it is We who have sent down

the Quran and surely, We will guard it

(from corruption)” (Quran 15:10)

“And the heaven We

constructed with strength,

and indeed, We are [its]

expander.” (Quran 51:47)

“We made every living thing from

water? Will they not believe?”

(Quran 21:30)

“Have We not made the earth a resting place?

And the mountains as stakes?” (Quran 78:6-7)

One of the miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it has been preserved through oral tradition. The original texts of most former divine books were lost altogether, however, the Quran exists exactly as it was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH).

The Quran was memorised by the companions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who taught it to their students, who then taught it to their students, and this has gone on until today.

The Quran talks about the expansion of the universe which was discovered in 1929 by Edwin Hubble. How did a book 1400 years old have this information? It must have been from the creator of the universe.

The first thing scientists look for when trying to find life on another planet is water. This is because water is essential for all living things. Living things are made of cells and the majority of a cell is made from water. Mohammad (PBUH) did not have a microscope or any form of technology to know this. Therefore, this is another proof to show the Quran must be from the creator.

The Quran describes mountains as stakes, in other words having deep roots. Using modern technology, we have been able to confirm that mountains have large deep roots.

As we can see, the Quran contains an amazing amount of information which could not have been known or available to Mohammad (PBUH). The only conclusion is that it must have been from the Creator of the universe.

CONCLUSION:

The next step is to show that Mohammad (PBUH) was

a truthful prophet from the creator.

A) Introducing prophets

The creator chose prophets to announce the presence of the creator and to be an example for how we should live our lives. All the prophets including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad, peace be upon them all, had the same message.

Mohammad (PBUH) was known for having an amazing character even before claiming prophethood. In a time where corruption was widespread, Mohammad (PBUH) would not engage with the evils that the society was immersed in. He would look after the orphans and elderly and would help to improve the society. The people knew him as someone who was trustworthy and honest.

B) Was Mohammad (PBUH) a real prophet?

Was he:

A liar?

His enemies considered him to be honest and trustworthy and he had the nickname of Al-Ameen (the Trustworthy).

A liar normally lies to get some worldly gain. Mohammad (PBUH) was offered power, wealth and women by the chiefs of Makkah, but refused them all for the message he brought and as a result suffered great hardships.

Does this sound like the profile of someone who is a liar to you?

Deluded?

Some could claim that he actually thought he was a prophet but in reality he was not.

This is very problematic because a deluded person could not have produced something as miraculous as the Quran.

Speaking the truth?

In conclusion, Mohammad (PBUH) did not have the psychological profile of someone who was a liar or deluded. Therefore, he was telling the truth and he is the Messenger of God.

CONCLUSION

PROPHETHOOD

SHAHADAH

It’s now time to go for GOLD and get the shahadah!

We need to make the invitation to Islam, but before that, we need to make it clear what it means to become a Muslim.

A) Summary of Islam

Give a summary of the GORAP and get agreement from them on each point if they agree.

Once you have agreement on the beliefs of a Muslim, you then want to ask them if they know how to become a Muslim. They are likely to say no, but either way, you can then introduce the basic 5 pillars of Islam.

1. Testimony of faith

“To become a Muslim, you have to accept and testify that there is only one God worthy of worship and that Mohammad (PBUH) is a prophet from God, which you have already agreed within our conversation. Once you have made this testimony you have entered into the fold of Islam and agreed that you will now live your life according to God’s guidance, which is the Quran and the example of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).”

2. Praying

“Once you have entered into Islam you must start establishing the 5 daily prayers. In the same way that we need to eat three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, similarly, our soul also needs to be nurtured through the 5 daily prayers. This is something that God commanded all the prophets in the past to do. However, Allah makes it very easy, so if you cannot pray standing, you can pray sitting, and if you can’t pray sitting, you can even pray lying down.”

3. Fasting

“You also need to fast in the month of Ramadan, which will strengthen your soul against desires and draw you closer to your creator.”

4. Charity

“You will need to give 2.5% of your annual savings to charity. This will encourage generosity and help others. If you cannot afford to give this, then you receive the charity!”

5. Pilgrimage to Hajj

“If you have the ability and finance then you must go for the pilgrimage at least once in your life. This is where people from all around the world, regardless of colour or status, come together and worship the one creator.”

“So the purpose of life is to follow the creator’s

guidance which is the Quran and the example

of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).”

Day of Judgement There will be a day when we will face our creator and we will be questioned on whether or not we lived our life according to His guidance.”

Hellfire / Paradise “For those who followed their own desires and lived their life the way they wanted, they will go to Hell forever. Those who followed God’s guidance will be admitted into Paradise and will remain there forever.”

Time/Death “The reality is that this life is short and we can leave anytime. So we have to make that decision now whether we are going to follow the truth or not.”

B) Two paths

To add a sense of urgency, it is important to introduce the Day of Judgement, Paradise, Hellfire and death.

C) Ask for the shahadah

Are you ready to join the brotherhood / sisterhood of Islam?

As mentioned this is a testimony, in front of your creator, that you will spend your life as a Muslim following His guidance.

“Ash-shadu an laa ilaaha il Allah wa

ashadu anna Mohammad rasoolullah.”

“I testify that there is nothing worthy of

worship except Allah and that Mohammad is

the Messenger of Allah.”

CONTENTIONS

WITH SHAHADAH

My family will not be happy

The reality is when you are in your grave or facing your creator on the Day of Judgment, it will not be about your family, but it will be about you and your creator.

I need to fix up first

Becoming a Muslim does not mean you become an angel overnight. Becoming a Muslim is taking the first step to becoming a better person.

I need to study more

What more is it that you need to study? We can take out all the other religions because we have agreed they all don’t make sense as they do not have a logical understanding of the creator.

In regards to studying more about Islam, I have given you an outline of the foundations, which shows what we believe and what we do. Anything else is just extra.

Now that you have mastered an effective

dawah method, you need to put it into action.

So think about how you can make dawah a key

part of your life and create a mass movement of

dawah in your community. Here are some ideas:

Build a dawah team

Start a dawah table

Do one to one

street dawah

Speak to your

neighbours

Create videos

Write articles

Teach others the GORAP

Deliver talks focused on

the GORAP

Books

The Quran Every da’ee needs a solid every day relationship with the Quran.

The Man in the Red Underpants A great book structured with the GORAP approach.

Websites

WWW.MISSIONDAWAH.COM

For extra dawah training and resources, visit the official Mission Dawah website.

WWW.ONEREASON.ORG The One Reason website is tailored to effectively convey the message of Islam to non-Muslims.

WWW.MUSLIMNOW.COM A website dedicated to welcome, empower and provide education for New Muslims.

WWW.IERA.ORG Visit the official website for more information on the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA).

WWW.THEBIGDEBATES.COM The Big Debates is a platform which seeks to build bridges of understanding and discussion between Western and Islamic thinkers.

DAWAH IN

ACTION

EXTRA

RESOURCES

Look back at this checklist after giving

someone dawah to make sure you mentioned

everything this booklet has taught you:

GOD’S EXISTENCE

ONENESS

REVELATION

PROPHETHOOD

CHECKLIST

We can conclude that the best explanation for our existence is that there is a creator of our universe who has an amazing amount of power and intelligence.

As we can see, the Quran contains an amazing amount of information which could not have been known or available to Mohammad (PBUH). The only conclusion is that it must have been from the Creator of the universe.

He did not have the psychological profile of someone who was a liar or deluded. Therefore, he was telling the truth and he is the Messenger of God.

The creator is uncreated because we are not able to have an infinite chain of creators. Due to this, we can conclude that the creator is unique, different from creation, self-sufficient and one.

Another proof of the oneness of God is the order within the creation. If there were more than one god, we would have seen disorder within the creation. As we have order within the creation, the creator must be one.