Five Steps for Effective Da'Wah

written and distrubuted 
at an MSA dawah workshop 
by Khadija Haffajee


I. Ways of Relating to People

   A. Be attentive and show concern. When shaking hands. 
      The Prophet (pbuh) never released his hand first, 
      and never turned his face away from others until they did.

      1. Be consistently considerate    4. Share in others' interests.
      2. Inquire about the absent       5. Exchange gifts
      3. Visit the sick                 6. Listen to and look at the 
                                           speaker


   B. Address people by the names they like
      One day the prophet asked a man about his name, and he replied 
      that it was Abdulhajjar (slave of stone). The prophet said 
      "No, you're Abdullah" (the slave of Allah)

II. Requirements for Effective Da'wah

    A. Don't blame the people for their mistakes or be critical.

       1. Many people are hypersenstive to criticism.
       2. Some people become defensive when blamed. When Musa went 
          to Pharoah, Allah said, "but speak to him mildly........
	  perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah)".

    B. Don't embarrass by correcting someone in front of others.
    
       The Prophet (pbuh) used to use plurality when correcting a 
       particular person in front of a group. For example, he would 
       ask the group, "what do you think about those who do 
       such-and-such a bad thing?".

    C. Satisfy the people's halal needs.
    
       1. Help those in need
       2. Don't wait to assist the needy until they ask you
       3. The prophet (pbuh) always helped the needy
       4. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whosoever removes a worldly grief 
          from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the griefs 
	  of the Day of Judgement. whoever alleviates [the lot of] a 
	  needy person, Allah will alleviate [his lot] in this world 
	  and the next.

    D. Always be fair, just, and honest

    E. Give others sincere respect and heighten their self-esteem.
 
       1. Remember, if the respect you show others is not genuine 
          you will be showing hypocrisy, rather than respect.
       2. One day a mushrik came to the prophet (pbuh) who was sitting 
          with Abu Bakr on his right. The Prophet had Abu Bakr move to 
	  left,and had the mushrik sit on his right,a position of honor.
       3. Two brothers came to speak to the Prophet (pbuh) when the 
          younger of them spoke first, the Prophet interrupted him and 
	  asked the older to start.

   F. Don't be angry or retaliate for injury to yourself, but be angry 
      or retaliate only for wrongdoing in the view of Allah.

III. Techniques for Growing Closer to Others

  A. Attempt to understand deeply those you deal with

     1. Find out their background (cultural, educational, social, etc) 
        because that helps in finding access to their minds and hearts.
     2. Attempt to know everyone equally well. Favoritism creates 
        mistrust and hurt feelings.

  B. Be simple, moderate, and respectful
 
  C. Do not insulate yourself from the bad people. They need you more 
     than the others.
 
  D. Be tactful
 
     1. Avoid personal questions and embarassing comments
     2. Address the person according to his level of understanding

  E. Be cheerful and enthuisiastic

      Al-Harith, a companion said, I have never seen anyone who smiled 
      most of the time as the Prophet (pbuh) did.

  F. Present a pleasant appearance

     1. Be clean and neat
     2. Observe decency in dress
     3. Wear clothing that is harmonious to the total outfit
     4. The prophet (pbuh) saw someone with uncombed hair and asked, 
        "Didn't you find something with which to comb it?"
     5. Never eat raw onion or garlic when going to the masjid or to 
        meet with people.

IV. Obstacles to Da'wah

    A. Don't be afraid of temptation.
 
       Some peole fear contact with non-Muslims for fear of 
       succumbing to their bad influence. the remedy for this is 
       to strengthen one's faith.

    B. Don't be shy.
       
       1. Some people lack the courage to mix with others and socialize.
       2. The remedy for this is practice.

    C. Fear of one's inability to express oneself and lack of 
       confidence in one's capabilities for logical analysis and 
       persuation. The remedy for this is practice.

V. The field for Da'wah: school, neighborhood, workplace and family.











Back to contents