INVITING TO THE WAY OF ALLAH

DIRECTIONS & GUIDELINES

A Summary From The Book By Mr. Abdullah Al-Khater (May ALLAH Have Mercy On Him)

www.dawahmemo.com

Outline

IntroductionWho Should We Carry The Message To?Why Should We Carry The Message?Benefits To Those Who Carry The Message?Two Important StrategiesCharacteristics Of A Successful ConveyorMilestonesBe Careful Of These…

INTRODUCTION

The Sad Reality We Experience Today As Muslims Is A Direct By-Product Of The Backwards Mentality, and Laziness We Have Lived For Years Returning To Islam Is The Way To Salvation In The Hereafter, And To Dignity And Honor In This World

WHO SHOULD WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM TO

Those Who Are Muslims, Yet Far Away From Islam (Those Who Only Know From Islam, Its Name And Looks)

Those Whom The Message Of Islam Has Not Reached

WHY SHOULD WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

We Become Honored To Belong To The Best Nation:

[Al Imran 110] Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in ALLAH. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.]

… WHY SHOULD WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

We Become Excused In Front Of ALLAH On The Day Of Judgement: [Araf 164] When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom Allah will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:" To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him.".

… WHY SHOULD WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

A Way To Return To ALLAH & Surrender To HIM

We Reach A High Ambitious Condition That ALLAH Praises In the Quran [Furqan 74] And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous."

The Success Of Societies And Nations

… WHY SHOULD WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

The (Prophet Peace Be Upon Him Said) “The Similitude Of Those Who Are Upholding The Laws of ALLAH, And Those Who Are Transgressing Against It Are Like A Group Of People Who Drew Lots Onboard A Ship So That Some Of Them Were On Top And Others Were At Its Bottom. The Ones At The Bottom Of The Ship Had To Pass By Those On Top Whenever They Needed Water. So, They Said: If We Poke a Hole In Our Share, And Do Not Bother those on Top! So, If They Leave Them To Do What They Want, They Will All Be Destroyed; And If They Prevented Them, They will All Survive”. (Narrated by Bukhari).

… WHY SHOULD WE CARRY THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

In The Previous Example The Society Is Like The Ship: [Mohammed 38] Behold, ye are those invited to spend (of your substance) in the Way of Allah. But among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (from the Path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you!

CONCERN OF THE PROPHET (PEACE BE UPON HIM)

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Used to Be Concerned About Conveying The Message To Such A Degree That ALLAH Was Comforting Him [Cave 6] Thou wouldst only, perchance, fret thyself to death, following after them, in grief, if they believe not in this Message.

BENEFITS IN THE HEREAFTER TO THOSE WHO CARRY THE MESSAGE

Narrated by Muslim “Whomsoever Invites To A Guidance He Shall Have A Reward Similar To The Reward Of Those Who Follow This Guidance Without Decreasing The Rewards Of Those Who Followed. And, Whomsoever Invites To A Falsehood Shall Have A Sin Similar To The Sins Of Those Who Follow This Falsehood Without Decreasing The Sins Of Those Who Followed”.

…BENEFITS IN THE HEREAFTER TO THOSE WHO CARRY THE MESSAGE

Narrated By Bukhari and Muslim: “I Swear By ALLAH That For ALLAH To Guide Someone Through You To Islam, It Is Best For You Than Red Camels”.

BENEFITS IN THIS WORLD TO THOSE WHO CARRY THE

MESSAGE OF ISLAM

First: Comfort Of The Heart

Because Being In A Reactive State Is Saddening And Has Negative Effects On You

Psychological Experimentation Supports That Individuals Who Are Not Working (Even When Having An Income Similar To Others Who Work) Suffer A Lot Of Psychiatric Diseases. Those Who Work Fulfill A Naturally Created Goal Within Themselves

Second: Learning

A Conveyor (Da’ee) Learns From The Other People He Is Inviting (Guests):

He Learns When He Is Asked and When He Answers Back

He Learns When He Researches What He Does Not Already Know

Third A Conveyor Acquires The Good Characters Of His Guests:

It Is Not A Condition That A Conveyor Is Better Than The Guests In Every Aspect, Small & Big. However, A Conveyor Has To Resemble What He Is Calling For In Order For His Guests To Be Convinced Of His Message

Fourth: Increases In Faith

[Mohammed 17] But to those who receive Guidance, He increases the (light of) Guidance, and bestows on them their Piety and Restraint (from evil).

[Cave 13] We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance.

Fifth: It Puts You Under The Human Microscope

Everyone Is Watching All Your Actions Small And Big:

So, Accept The Advice Of Those Who Love You, And

Learn To Listen To The Criticism Of The Others, And Do Not Ignore It

Six: Acquire Characteristics That Are Impossible To Gain Alone

Example: Self Control, Is Only Acquired Through Dealings With Others; Listening To Advice; Taking Care Of Others

Modern Psychiatric Experiments Has Headed Towards Treating People In Groups, Where They Can Discover Their Own Characters Through Dealing With One Another

TWO IMPORTANT STRATEGIES TO CONVEY ALLAH’S MESSAGE

First: Returning Evil With Good

When You Practice This Trait, Your Worst Enemy Changes And Becomes A Dear Friend

[Fusilat 34, 35] Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune.

Second: Choosing The Right Time, Place, And Manner

Narrated By Bukhari That Abdullah Ibn Abbas (May ALLAH Be Pleased With Both Of Them) Said One To The Other: “Let Me Not Find You Coming To People While They Are Busy With A Matter And Start Talking With Them About Islam. But Listen, And When They Ask You, Talk To Them While They Are Now Eager To Hear What You Will Say”.

… Choosing The Right Time, Place, And Manner

Abdullah Ibn Masood Used To Lecture People Every Thursday. One Man Told Him If He Would Lecture Them Everyday. Ibn Masood Answered That “I Would Hate To Make You Bored, And I Hand Advice To You Similar To What The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Used To Give Us Advice In Fear That We Will Get Board”. (Narrated by Bukhari).

… Choosing The Right Time, Place, And Manner

Even Though The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Was The Greatest Lecturer And Conveyor To People, And The Companions Were The Greatest Listeners, The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Used To Select Specific Times For Lecturing The Companions, And Used To Avoid It Continuously In Fear They May Get Bored

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUCCESSFUL CONVEYOR OF

ALLAH’S MESSAGE

First: There Has To Be A Difference Between You And Your Guests

[Baqara 247] Their Prophet said to them: "(Allah) hath appointed Talut as king over you." They said: "How can he exercise authority over us when we are better fitted than he to exercise authority, and he is not even gifted, with wealth in abundance?" He said: "(Allah) hath Chosen him above you, and hath gifted him abundantly with knowledge and bodily prowess: Allah Granteth His authority to whom He pleaseth. Allah careth for all, and He knoweth all things."

… There Has To Be A Difference Between You And Your Guests

A Young Child Is More Willing To Listen To His Parents As He Feels That They Are Superior To Him In Size, Knowledge, And Intellect

Second: You Have To Have Something To Give

Experience

Knowledge

Third: You Have To Have A Good Approach

Has To Be Kind In His Delivery

Has To Be Accurate In Selecting The Time And Place

Fourth: You Have To Be Able To Take Care Of Others:

Be Good Giver Follows Up With Your Guests Gets Closer To Your Guests Invent New Ways Be Patient When They Harm You Example Of Abu Bakr (May ALLAH Be Pleased With Him):– He Used To Ask People “What Tribe Are You

From? What Branch Of The Tribe? What Family Within The Branch? Etc.” Until People Feel Comfortable To Start Talking To Him.

Hadith

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Said: “When You Meet Your Brother, Ask Him About His Name, And His Fathers’ Name”.

Fifth: You Have To Be Persistent

Has The Ability To Follow Through And Continue His Good Work

Some People Start Hot, And Have All Of The Previously Mentioned Characteristics; But They Fade away After A Little While

Six: Ability To Lead People

In A Manner (Not By Force) That Will Let Them Listen To You

Obedience Has To Come From The Inside Of A Receiving Person Where He Feels That You Are Indeed A Person Who Cares About Him

ALL OF US ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONVEYING ISLAM IN A

MANNER THAT

CORRESPONDS TO OUR OWNCAPABILITIES &

CIRCUMSTANCES

FIVE MILESTONES THAT PREVENT US FROM DOING

DAWA AND CONVEYING THE MESSAGE

1st Milestone: Postponing (procrastinating):

When I Am Finished With College…

When I Get Married…

When I Am Done Raising My Children…

When I Reach A Certain Level Of Islamic Knowledge

However, You Are Responsible To Offer What You Have. You Are Not Obligated To Give Rulings, Judgments, or Fatawa’s.

Hadith

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Ordered Us To: “Convey On My Behalf Even One Verse Or Saying”

2nd Milestone: To Perceive That We Are Better Than Others

We Are Muslims And Others Are Not

We Pray And Others Do Not

We Study And Others Do Not

We Attend lectures And Others Do Not

We Avoid Haram Stuff And Others Do Not

We Do Good Deeds

…2nd Milestone: To Perceive That We Are Better Than Others

Problem: When It Comes to Matters Of “Deen”, Then, As A Rule, We Should Look To Those Who Are Ahead Of Us

What Do We Think About Non-Muslims Willing to Take Harm For Just An Idea That They Believe In (Whether True Or False)

3rd Milestone: To Believe That We Are Not Competent

Because We Have Shortcomings Or Because Of Our Weak Personality

We Are Convinced We Are Not Capable Of Doing Something In the Absence Of Going Through A Real Life Experience Where We Actually Try And Fail

General Lack Of Self Confidence

Solutions To Milestone No. 3:

Fact: We Have To Realize That People Tend To Place Ideals In Front Of Themselves. Then, If They Fail To Reach These Ideals, They Become Depressed

It Is Unrealistic And Impossible For You To Have All People Around You Happy With Your Sayings And Actions

Why Don’t We Try For Real So We Can Fairly Judge Ourselves?

… Solutions To Milestone No. 3:

We Should Continue To Fix Our Shortcomings And Improve Ourselves, But Yet Continue To Convey The Message of Islam There Are Other Means For Conveying Islam Besides Having An Effective Personality:– For Example: Only Some People Can Convey And

Teach Effectively. For Others Who Lack This Talent, They May Be Able To Show Others Places Where They Can Get Guidance

– Also, They May Be Able To Pass Books And Pamphlets To Others

Hadith

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Said: “May A High Place In Paradise Be For An Unkempt, Dusty Slave Who Is Taking The Lead Of His Horse: If He Is At The End Of The Army, He Is At The End Of The Army; And If He Is Appointed As Guard, He Guards.”

…Remember

What We Are Requested To Do Is To Work To Convey The Message Of Islam, Even If We Were Not At The Forefront Of Matters

Being At The Forefront Of Things Can Sometimes Be Harmful, As Well As It May Influence Our True Intentions

4th Milestone: Fear And A Self Weakness.

We May Believe That Being Active In Conveying The Message Of Islam Will Bring Us Trouble Solution: We Should Remember That It Is The Way (Sunnah) Of ALLAH To Test Us. These Tests May Take Place Because We Are Active In Dawa, Or Other Reasons Such As Because Personal Matters, Natural Disasters, Wars, Etc. [Al-Ahzab 39] (It is the practice of those) who preach the Messages of Allah, and fear Him, and fear none but Allah. And enough is Allah to call (men) to account.

5th Milestone: Misinterpretation

[Ma-edah 105] O ye who believe! Guard your own souls: If ye follow (right) guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who stray. the goal of you all is to Allah. it is He that will show you the truth of all that ye do.

… Misinterpretation

Abu Bakr (May ALLAH Be Pleased With Him) Notices That Some People Are Misunderstanding This Verse. So, He Told The People During A Speech, That He Though That They Were Misinterpreting The Verse, And That He Heard The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Saying: “When People See A Person Transgressing And Did Not Stop Him, ALLAH Is Near Punishing Them”. (Narrated By Nessa-ie And Abu Dawood With Sound References).

ONCE WE START CONVEYING ISLAM TO OTHERS, WE HAVE TO

BE MINDFUL OF SIX THINGS

First: Impurities That Spoil Our Intentions

Two Conditions For Deeds To Be Accepted By ALLAH:– Intention Has To Be Pure For The Sake Of

ALLAH– The Action Should Follow The Way Of The

Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)

…Impurities That Spoil Our Intentions

We Should Always Keep In Front Of Our Eyes That The Goal Is Paradise (Al-Jannah). [Al-Tawbah 111] Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah. then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

Second: Avoid Biases To Certain People, Land, Or Group

The Origin Is To Follow The Truth By Its Evidence Rather Than Belonging To A Group Or Tribe And Blindly Follow Whatever The Group Or Tribe Does

Third: Avoid Partisanship to Nationalism

Occupation Of The Muslims Countries Has Left Us With Boarders And Divisions. People Who Invite Others To Islam Should Avoid Strengthening These Divisions And Barriers

Fourth: Avoid Pride And Arrogance:

When We Become Active In The Field Of Dawa To ALLAH, We May Reach A Prestigious Status Where We May Start Feeling Proud Of Our Accomplishments, Or Become Arrogant Towards Others

We Should Keep Busy With Our Own Faults Rather Than The Faults Of Others

… Avoid Pride And Arrogance

We Should Avoid Looking At People In A Downwardly Manner. We Should Instead Look At Others With An Empathetic Manner And Feel Sorry For Them That They Are Missing The Greatest Thing We Have, Which Is Islam

Fifth: Pessimism

Some Of Us May Initially Fail In Making Dawa To Others, So We May Start Generalizing Our Experience And Believing That Everyone Else Will Respond To Our Invitation In A Similar And Negative Manner Example: During The Early Days Of The Message, Some Of The Early Companions Used To Swear To ALLAH That “Omar Will Not Become A Muslim, Until The Donkey Of Omar Becomes A Muslim!”

Six: Misinterpretation Of End Of Times Versus & Hadiths

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Said: “Islam Started Strange, And It Shall Come Back Strange; So May ALLAH Grant A Special Place in Paradise (Too’bah) To The Strangers”. The Strangers Are The Ones Who Correct What Others Have Spoiled Some Of Us May Feel Desperate That Our Times Are Times Of Tribulations And Mischief, And Start Believing That There Is Little We Can Do During These Times To Correct Things

…Misinterpretation Of End Of Times Versus & Hadiths

How Do You Know That Our Times Are In Fact The Times Of The Final Tribulations? There Has Been Times Of Great Tribulations In The History Of This Ummah. For Example…An Outcast Muslim Group Entered The Haram In Makka, Killed Thousands Of Innocent Muslims, And Moved The Black-Stone Away From The House Of ALLAH For Sixteen Years.The Crusaders Occupied Jerusalem For Hundreds Of Years.

…Misinterpretation Of End Of Times Versus & Hadiths

The Future Holds A Lot Of Good News, There Are A Lot Of Good Signs Around Us, And There Are A Lot Of Positive Prophecies For Islam And The Muslims, Which Are Yet To Happen, That The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Told Us Will Take Place Before The Day Of Judgment

May Allah Bless you All