FOUR PRINCIPLES OF DAWAH (Part 1 of 2 )

FOUR PRINCIPLES OF DAWAH (Part 1 of 2 )
-Ahmed Abulnasr 

Earlier this year, I asked a local Imam advice about dawah. He replied, "Sincerity. Intention. Tension. Manners. First, you must be sincere. Your intentions and actions must be only for the sake of God. Expect tension. Have manners."

1. Sincerity

"Say, Verily my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for God, the Lord of the Worlds." (Qur'an 6:162).

All our actions should be acts of worship. Sincerity ensures that your intentions and actions are only for the sake of God. Our actions must not be tainted by our own desires.

The work you're doing doesn't have worldly returns. Don't expect any worldly returns. If you always expect things and are waiting for things, you'll never get work done. You will never the get recognition you deserve. All actions are only to gain pleasure from God.

By ensuring our intentions are purely for God, we free ourselves from expectations of worldly rewards. We don't expect acknowledgement, wealth, anything. We are sacrificing our time purely for the religion without expectations.

"[Do not follow] the lust (of thy heart), for it will mislead thee from the Path of God." (Qur'an 38:26).

Race to do good deeds. Friendly competition benefits everyone. Ultimately, we are on the same side. This attitude helps lessen stress and dangerous levels of competition. Sometimes, you will work with people you neither trust nor admire.

A sincere Muslim does not deny anything that is known by necessity to be part of Islam. We cannot make something Halal that is Haram, or something Haram that is Halal. Sincerely repent after committing sins and avoid telling others to avoid setting a bad example. Sincere Muslims practice their religion and educate themselves.

Sincerity requires consistent actions around others and when alone. Respect and good-manners toward others should be sincere. We must be sincere toward everyone. Sincere Muslims should care about current problems and issues within the entire community. Islam is the true, universal religion of our Creator. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing, All-Aware.


2. Intention

Prophet Mohammed said: "Actions are only by intention, and every man shall only have what he intended." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Actions begin with an intention.

Intention gives you direction. Intention also allows you to quantify your actions. Many new Muslims want to help but have no idea where to start. State your intentions in clear terms. Set deadlines when possible.

Intentions guide actions. What actions do you need to take? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What sacrifices will you need to make? Time. Economic. Emotional.

Always, check your intentions. You may need to modify them. Be flexible. Check your intentions for sincerity. First things first. Prioritize. Learn to think in terms of one year, five years, and fifteen years from now.

Educate yourself. You can only teach up to what you know. No more and no less.

Consider whom you befriend. People want you to follow them. Do not blindly follow people. You may never fully trust the people you follow and/or lead. Know when to lead and when to follow.

"To each is a goal to which God turns him; then strive together (as in a race) towards all that is good. Where so ever ye are, God will bring you together. For God Hath power over all things." (Qur'an 2:148).

Race to do good deeds. Set your intentions. People with similar interests will miraculously enter your life. When you take a step toward God, He will come running toward you.

"Invite (all) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious..." (Qur'an 16:124).

Analyze people and situations. Consider current knowledge, background, customs, and culture. Avoid using expressions and vocabulary unfamiliar to non-Muslims. Use little Arabic at first.

Begin by teaching the basics. Begin with Tawheed. Tawheed is the "Unification of Lordship, of Worship, and of His Names and Attributes." Don't confuse people. Explain what Tawheed means. We can't isolate ourselves from non-Latino Muslims and non-Muslims.

The three fundamental concepts of Islam are Tawheed, Prophethood, and Day of Judgment. Explain the Pillars of Faith. Explain the Pillars of Islam. Explain common misconceptions about Islam. People think you're a terrorist. Maybe.

To be continued In Sha Allah.....

May God guide us all. Surely, God is the best guide.