> Need a help to reach my goal in Dawah!

[Aayah]

I have been reading about other religions especially Christianity, aiming to be a Dai'eha one day. I feel that we "sisters" should not let the brothers to be the only one in the Dawah area because its a duty upon all of us. Unfortunately, there are very few sisters in that area and the proof is this board and the number of active sisters (la hawl wa la qwata ila billah).

Anyways, I think especially when it comes to talking to other non muslims female, a female talking to a female will be more effective than a male talking to a female because as the old saying say "no one understand the woman but the woman itself". Also to see a woman talking about Islam and how she finds her dignity preserved in that religion is something motivate non-muslims women to look for the secret behind that sanctification of Muslims women

Moreover, I want to prove to all of the world that we as women of Islam "the one who anti-islamic claimed that Islam is abusing us" will be the ones who call to Islam and spread the word because we are so proud to be Muslimat!

anyways, enough with that long introduction, I think that was a very late introduction about me after 5 months of being here!!


Now coming to the main point. I need help in directing or guiding me to from where I can start.

but let me give you a view of what I am doing currently:

1. Going on memorizing Quran and read its tafseer
2. Reading the bible from the Genesis.
3. Listen to Lectures or debates of people like (Yusef Estes, Abdurrhamn Green, Bilal Philip, Ahmed Deedat, Zakir Naik....and some Arabs scholars)
4. I am still in reading two books not done with them yet
( In Defense of Islam by Ali Atie, which is a very interesting one, and Replies to the most Common Questions by non-muslims by Zakir Naik)
5. Contacting some former Christians sisters who is helping me with what I need to know in Christianity
6. Surfing the internet (LI, IL, and another Christians forum)


what I need to do next?........... can you recomend any books, lectures, or anything else?

I know you have a lot to share since most of you are very active mashaAllah in Dawah field, thats why I am posting here. So enlighten me May Allah reward you all the highest rank of Jannat Al Ferdos

[Qatada]

asalaam alaikum


I think that you need to test what u do know by giving the dawah..


Knowledge is one thing, but to share it with others who will oppose u is another thing. You learn alot of patience and tawakkul through it, and you also become stronger in the way you write or speak bi idhnillah (so ask Him for it if u find that hard).

Remember that Allah's Messengers' would gain knowledge and give da'wah at the same time. This way, your knowledge and confidence grow together, and you focus to find knowledge on the specific things which you're giving dawah about.


There's nothing like experience.


If u go ahead, it might be good to first give dawah on a muslim majority site, and once u get more confident - you can go where there's less muslims.

But if u have good articles or points, post them here because the whole aim for the sites to gather all the best arguments as compilations so all muslim du'aat have access to them.

[Abdul-Fattah]

Selam aleykum
Reading:
I think your checklist is already amazing mashaAllah. I'm even struggling with lessons to learn and read the Qur'an let alone memorise it. Reading other books like Bible, or Torah and so on is tricky. If you have a good imaan then inshaAllah this will not be a problem, but mind that this is not recommended for everybody. There's other usefull books like on teh miracles of the qur'an, or "the choice" which is liek a combat kit against christians, obviously knowledge on the life of the prophet (peace be upon him) will aslo help with dawah. But the most important for dawah is books on controversial issues, terrorism, human rights, position of woman and so on.
Lectures:
The large majority of non-muslims have a small knowledge of Islam, therefore, in dawah usually the same questions and issues are raised (like terrorism, position of woman and so on). So once you know how to best respond to these basic issues, you can already do allot of dawah. The lectures you mentioned should be good for this purpose, since these people have experience with dawah, and seem to focus their lectures on the topics thet come up most in dawah to non-muslims.
Methodology:
Apart from knowledge about religion, what is also important is to learn methodology. Unfortunatly, there's no "universal" way to bring dawah, as each person is different, and each conversation with a non-muslim will be different. Try avoiding direct "debate". Be patient, be patient, and also be patient. Listen to what they havce to say first, this way, you can adjust your reply to their viewpoints, or their issues they might have with Islam. Also keep in mind, there's nothing wrong with saying: "I don't know" Don't make the common mistake of wanting to answer every single question. It's better to say you don't know, look it up, and contact the person later. I also second Qatada's points, try to bring backup if you're not uncertain. Like when we have an infostand in town, we try to be at least with two or three brothers that are good in dawah, that way if one of us doesn't know how to answer something or makes a mistake, the other can step in.
Try to steer conversations to the basics. Like brother al-boriqee recently reminded us in the arts-thread, there's no point in debating about the smaller details, when you can't even agree on the basics like the existence of God. Finally remember the bigger picture. It could be that a person does not accept what you say, but then later in his life the things you say are stuck in the back of his/her mind and due to some events teh person suddenly starts seeing things differently. Don't expect people to convert on the spot. Our job is only to explain and share our knowledge. Some poepel might recieve dawah for years from different persons on and off before they convert. And some peopel will never convert regardless of what you say. But you can never know what Allah subhana wa ta'ala has planned for someone, so don't focus to much on this, just focus on trying to share your knowledge to the best of your abilities.

As for atheists, I found that 90% of their argument can be responded to by this: http://seemyparadigm.webs.com/brainwashing.htm

Ps: Don't think let this post make you think that I'm some sort of expert or anything. I know nothing and Allah subhana wa ta'ala knows best, just speaking out of my personal experiences ^_^

[Assad]

:

You are following a good approach, I say this because what you are doing includes just everything :).

I wouldnt really go on reading Bible by itself at this beginning stage. How I read Bible is that I find one topic which Christians usually like to mention to show superiority or prove some point e.g. Jesus is God because of "I AM" so I would go on look for those passages in its context and google up articles and commentary related to it. This will keep us focused on what we want to achieve. After you get the idea through all this about how the Bible is "actually" structured rather than how Christians structure it, you will be better able to understand what Bible says.

----- UPDATE-----
Another way to become proficient in Dawah is to read the silly arguments against Islam from missionaries and research on them and think of your own rebuttal.
-----

I pray to Allah SWT to make this path easier for you and that become a brilliant Daaie and make all of us Islamic-Lifeians happy, inshaAllah.

[Aayah]

Wa Alaykom Asalam Everyone..Jazakum Allah khair for your great inputs!

Originally Posted by Qatada

asalaam alaikum

I think that you need to test what u do know by giving the dawah..

Currently I am trying to "share" what I know with some non muslims. But for the greatest part, I am helping some new sisters to Islam in understanding Islam....they came up with some interesting questions which I think they can be asked by non muslims as well


Knowledge is one thing, but to share it with others who will oppose u is another thing. You learn alot of patience and tawakkul through it, and you also become stronger in the way you write or speak bi idhnillah (so ask Him for it if u find that hard).

Remember that Allah's Messengers' would gain knowledge and give da'wah at the same time. This way, your knowledge and confidence grow together, and you focus to find knowledge on the specific things which you're giving dawah about.


There's nothing like experience.


If u go ahead, it might be good to first give dawah on a muslim majority site, and once u get more confident - you can go where there's less muslims.

I think this is a very good thing to do, jazak Allah khair

But if u have good articles or points, post them here because the whole aim for the sites to gather all the best arguments as compilations so all muslim du'aat have access to them.

inshaAllah, but I also need others to recommend articles or points to me since I am still in the beginning

Originally Posted by Abdul-Fattah

Selam aleykum
Reading:
I think your checklist is already amazing mashaAllah. I'm even struggling with lessons to learn and read the Qur'an let alone memorise it. Reading other books like Bible, or Torah and so on is tricky. If you have a good imaan then inshaAllah this will not be a problem, but mind that this is not recommended for everybody. There's other usefull books like on teh miracles of the qur'an,

who is the author for that book? do you have any link brother?

or "the choice" which is liek a combat kit against christians,

Is this for Ahmed Deedat?

obviously knowledge on the life of the prophet (peace be upon him) will aslo help with dawah. But the most important for dawah is books on controversial issues, terrorism, human rights, position of woman and so on.
Lectures:
The large majority of non-muslims have a small knowledge of Islam, therefore, in dawah usually the same questions and issues are raised (like terrorism, position of woman and so on). So once you know how to best respond to these basic issues, you can already do allot of dawah. The lectures you mentioned should be good for this purpose, since these people have experience with dawah, and seem to focus their lectures on the topics thet come up most in dawah to non-muslims.
Methodology:
Apart from knowledge about religion, what is also important is to learn methodology. Unfortunatly, there's no "universal" way to bring dawah, as each person is different, and each conversation with a non-muslim will be different. Try avoiding direct "debate". Be patient, be patient, and also be patient. Listen to what they havce to say first, this way, you can adjust your reply to their viewpoints, or their issues they might have with Islam. Also keep in mind, there's nothing wrong with saying: "I don't know" Don't make the common mistake of wanting to answer every single question. It's better to say you don't know, look it up, and contact the person later. I also second Qatada's points, try to bring backup if you're not uncertain. Like when we have an infostand in town, we try to be at least with two or three brothers that are good in dawah, that way if one of us doesn't know how to answer something or makes a mistake, the other can step in.
Try to steer conversations to the basics. Like brother al-boriqee recently reminded us in the arts-thread, there's no point in debating about the smaller details, when you can't even agree on the basics like the existence of God. Finally remember the bigger picture. It could be that a person does not accept what you say, but then later in his life the things you say are stuck in the back of his/her mind and due to some events teh person suddenly starts seeing things differently. Don't expect people to convert on the spot. Our job is only to explain and share our knowledge. Some poepel might recieve dawah for years from different persons on and off before they convert. And some peopel will never convert regardless of what you say. But you can never know what Allah subhana wa ta'ala has planned for someone, so don't focus to much on this, just focus on trying to share your knowledge to the best of your abilities.

very good points! jazak Allah khair

As for atheists, I found that 90% of their argument can be responded to by this: My paradigm | Because everyone is entitled to have my opinion.

I remember doing a quick reading over that topic before I came to Islamic-Life from someone recomended that link LI, but there is no harm from reading it carefully again

I have read some topics in your website before and I got alot to know from there..mashaAllah very beneficial


Ps: Don't think let this post make you think that I'm some sort of expert or anything. I know nothing and Allah subhana wa ta'ala knows best, just speaking out of my personal experiences ^_^

jazak Allah khair for your inputs, we are all learning from each other at the end

Originally Posted by Acid

:

You are following a good approach, I say this because what you are doing includes just everything :).

I wouldnt really go on reading Bible by itself at this beginning stage. How I read Bible is that I find one topic which Christians usually like to mention to show superiority or prove some point e.g. Jesus is God because of "I AM" so I would go on look for those passages in its context and google up articles and commentary related to it. This will keep us focused on what we want to achieve. After you get the idea through all this about how the Bible is "actually" structured rather than how Christians structure it, you will be better able to understand what Bible says.

I think this method is very good in saving time instead of going through everything. jazak Allah Khair

----- UPDATE-----
Another way to become proficient in Dawah is to read the silly arguments against Islam from missionaries and research on them and think of your own rebuttal.
-----
InshaAllah, will do
I pray to Allah SWT to make this path easier for you and that become a brilliant Daaie and make all of us Islamic-Lifeians happy, inshaAllah.

Ameen

[Al Habeshi]

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem,

as-Salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah.

May Allah put Barakah in your time.

I think any person deciding to be a da'ee needs to have certain qualities. Shaykh Saleh as Saleh, Rahimahullah, has talks on Qualities of a Da'ee.

Etiquettes - Caller to Islaam - Seeker of Knowledge

You need to realise that you will need knowledge. So you should know how to seek it, for many are the ones who try but fail, in this regard you may find the book of Shaykh Bakr Abu Zaid, The Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge* usefull, also the book of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen, The Book of Knowledge *. (May Allah have mercy upon them)

You know the beauty of Islam is that you can just have knowledge of Islam and be able to give da'wah to anyone, even if you have no clue what their religion teaches. But if you feel you need to know about common religions in your area, then with regards to Christianity there are two styles of Da'wah (in my humble observations).

One is the common, lay person da'wah. The arguements can be used towards anyone whether they are a preacher or a layperson, this is the likes of Shaykh Ahmed Deedat and Zakir Naik style and to some extent Yusuf Estes, may Allah grant them reward.

Second is the uprising style of debating from a scholarly point of view, developed arguements that most people won't be able to follow of have the patience to follow. I can only think of a couple of Brothers, one is Shabbir Ally and Brother Bassam.

Both are effective, but the second takes longer.

I would really advice you against reading the whole Bible, hardly any Christian has done it so it won't help much, and most of it is not that interesting.

My main advice would be to really focus on becoming more knowledgeable about Islam so that when you call people you call them with knowledge. So that you can teach them how to pray properly from the right knowledge, and you can teach them the correct creed, etc.

I would advice you to try read something like, Explanation to Important Lessons for the Ummah * or at least listen to Shaykh Saleh as Saleh's explanation *

After you have a good basic understanding of Islam and whilst you keep building on it, i.e. Aqeedah, Fiqh, etc. Then you may want to read some contemporary books explaining some parts of Islam in an easy way so you can survive and deal with the Orientalist (cited by apologist) arguements put forth.

With regards to the Qur'an you may way to read, M.M.Azami's The Text of the Qur'an From Revelation to Compilation

With regards to Hadith topics, there are various books by M.M.Azami, some at introduction level and some more advance. One I saw by Jamal ud Deen Zaraboso.

But really have a good grasp of Islamic Knowledge, you will need to discuss many matters even with Muslims. Discussing with Sisters whether the Hijab is fard and all that, etc. But never neglect your own need for knowledge.

Allah knows best and solely with Him is the guidance

P.s. you may also need to check some of the videos about basic fundamental differences between people in order to be more affective in your da'wah I think al boqiree posted them. Oh and as the brother said practice will help as you go along insha'Allah, and knowing your limitations is a big thing.

Edit: And beware of assuming to much in your arguements because it will turn people away and make them think you assume everything.
Br.al-Habeshi

[Abdul-Fattah]

Selam aleykum
the book "the choice" is indeed by Ahmed Deedat.
For books on scientific miracles, try avoiding harun yahya's work, as those also include many debatable miracles. This website seems more reliable:
This is truth

[al-boriqee]

Originally Posted by Aayah

I have been reading about other religions especially Christianity, aiming to be a Dai'eha one day. I feel that we "sisters" should not let the brothers to be the only one in the Dawah area because its a duty upon all of us. Unfortunately, there are very few sisters in that area and the proof is this board and the number of active sisters (la hawl wa la qwata ila billah).

Anyways, I think especially when it comes to talking to other non muslims female, a female talking to a female will be more effective than a male talking to a female because as the old saying say "no one understand the woman but the woman itself". Also to see a woman talking about Islam and how she finds her dignity preserved in that religion is something motivate non-muslims women to look for the secret behind that sanctification of Muslims women

Moreover, I want to prove to all of the world that we as women of Islam "the one who anti-islamic claimed that Islam is abusing us" will be the ones who call to Islam and spread the word because we are so proud to be Muslimat!

anyways, enough with that long introduction, I think that was a very late introduction about me after 5 months of being here!!


Now coming to the main point. I need help in directing or guiding me to from where I can start.

but let me give you a view of what I am doing currently:

1. Going on memorizing Quran and read its tafseer
2. Reading the bible from the Genesis.
3. Listen to Lectures or debates of people like (Yusef Estes, Abdurrhamn Green, Bilal Philip, Ahmed Deedat, Zakir Naik....and some Arabs scholars)
4. I am still in reading two books not done with them yet
( In Defense of Islam by Ali Atie, which is a very interesting one, and Replies to the most Common Questions by non-muslims by Zakir Naik)
5. Contacting some former Christians sisters who is helping me with what I need to know in Christianity
6. Surfing the internet (LI, IL, and another Christians forum)


what I need to do next?........... can you recomend any books, lectures, or anything else?

I know you have a lot to share since most of you are very active mashaAllah in Dawah field, thats why I am posting here. So enlighten me May Allah reward you all the highest rank of Jannat Al Ferdos

next. do what I say

lol

just kiddin

You should listen to couple lecture I produced in the forum. it is private so keep it like that. It will get you into the right framework in how to answer the kuffar.

send a message to muhammad salman so that he can send you the links or i will prepare it myself for you in private message.

P.S. don;t read the bible. I read the bible myself from begining to almost the end. it will dull your senses and its a complete waste of time. Rather read the references given by prominent people like Ahmad deedat and others.

asalamu alaikum

[Aayah]

Originally Posted by Al Habeshi

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem,

as-Salaamu 'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah.

May Allah put Barakah in your time.

I think any person deciding to be a da'ee needs to have certain qualities. Shaykh Saleh as Saleh, Rahimahullah, has talks on Qualities of a Da'ee.

Etiquettes - Caller to Islaam - Seeker of Knowledge


You need to realise that you will need knowledge. So you should know how to seek it, for many are the ones who try but fail, in this regard you may find the book of Shaykh Bakr Abu Zaid, The Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge* usefull, also the book of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al Uthaymeen, The Book of Knowledge *. (May Allah have mercy upon them)

You know the beauty of Islam is that you can just have knowledge of Islam and be able to give da'wah to anyone, even if you have no clue what their religion teaches. But if you feel you need to know about common religions in your area, then with regards to Christianity there are two styles of Da'wah (in my humble observations).

One is the common, lay person da'wah. The arguements can be used towards anyone whether they are a preacher or a layperson, this is the likes of Shaykh Ahmed Deedat and Zakir Naik style and to some extent Yusuf Estes, may Allah grant them reward.

Second is the uprising style of debating from a scholarly point of view, developed arguements that most people won't be able to follow of have the patience to follow. I can only think of a couple of Brothers, one is Shabbir Ally and Brother Bassam.

Both are effective, but the second takes longer.

I would really advice you against reading the whole Bible, hardly any Christian has done it so it won't help much, and most of it is not that interesting.

My main advice would be to really focus on becoming more knowledgeable about Islam so that when you call people you call them with knowledge. So that you can teach them how to pray properly from the right knowledge, and you can teach them the correct creed, etc.

I would advice you to try read something like, Explanation to Important Lessons for the Ummah * or at least listen to Shaykh Saleh as Saleh's explanation *

After you have a good basic understanding of Islam and whilst you keep building on it, i.e. Aqeedah, Fiqh, etc. Then you may want to read some contemporary books explaining some parts of Islam in an easy way so you can survive and deal with the Orientalist (cited by apologist) arguements put forth.

With regards to the Qur'an you may way to read, M.M.Azami's The Text of the Qur'an From Revelation to Compilation

With regards to Hadith topics, there are various books by M.M.Azami, some at introduction level and some more advance. One I saw by Jamal ud Deen Zaraboso.

But really have a good grasp of Islamic Knowledge, you will need to discuss many matters even with Muslims. Discussing with Sisters whether the Hijab is fard and all that, etc. But never neglect your own need for knowledge.

Allah knows best and solely with Him is the guidance

P.s. you may also need to check some of the videos about basic fundamental differences between people in order to be more affective in your da'wah I think al boqiree posted them. Oh and as the brother said practice will help as you go along insha'Allah, and knowing your limitations is a big thing.

Edit: And beware of assuming to much in your arguements because it will turn people away and make them think you assume everything.
Br.al-Habeshi

Jazak allah khair brother....a lot of helpful tips you provided above. Appreciated!

Originally Posted by Abdul-Fattah

Selam aleykum
the book "the choice" is indeed by Ahmed Deedat.


For books on scientific miracles, try avoiding harun yahya's work, as those also include many debatable miracles.

why not? I have watched some of his work in youtube, if you dont mind me asking, what kind of debatable miracles he talked about?

This website seems more reliable:
This is truth

jazak Allah khair, this is very good one, I went through some sections there

Originally Posted by al-boriqee

next. do what I say

lol

just kiddin

You should listen to couple lecture I produced in the forum. it is private so keep it like that. It will get you into the right framework in how to answer the kuffar.


send a message to muhammad salman so that he can send you the links or i will prepare it myself for you in private message.

Jazak allah khair for that! I appreciate it
but are they saved? or you give them live online?

P.S. don;t read the bible. I read the bible myself from begining to almost the end. it will dull your senses and its a complete waste of time. Rather read the references given by prominent people like Ahmad deedat and others.

I think I will not read it anymore, as you and all brothers above said, its not practical to waste time on reading it from the beginning to the end

asalamu alaikum

[Abdul-Fattah]

Selam aleykum


Example of harun yahya debatable miracle

And We made a fount of molten copper flow out for him. (Qur'an, 34:12)
One of Allah's great blessings to Prophet Sulayman (as) was "a fount of molten copper." This can be understood in several senses. By the use of melted copper, it may be referring to the existence, at his time, of an advanced technology that employed electricity. We know that copper is one of the best metals for conducting electricity and heat, and thus constitutes the basis of the electrical industry, which uses much of the copper produced in the world. The expression "flow out" may indicate that electricity can be used in many fields. (Allah knows best.

1. This is tefsir from personal opinion which is forbidden
see: Tafsir Ibn Kathir - Quran Tafsir - The Sources Of Tafsir
2. Copper is not the best metal for conducting electricity. We use copper for electricity because copper is a relative cheap metal, and easily bendable/cut-table. But other metals have far better conductivity.

Bringing these kind of "evidence" to a non-muslim is more likely to turn him away from Islam then towards Islam, as he will think it's all just a scam. there's more examples like that, but I think one is enough to serve my purpose here.