Dawa

Techniques

The aim of dawa is to bring out the great objectives of Islam. This aim requires a suitable technique in order to be realised.

The technique of Dawa is a short cut to the achievement of the objectives of Islam legally. Indeed, it is obligatory to adopt suitable technique when necessary, and since the objectives are numerous, so are the techniques.

B)The techniques of Dawa vary according the variation of the persons called.

A successful Dâiya is the one who picks out the appropriate method that suites best each person, because people are different in their character and temper. He has also to hobnob with them as to know them. The Almighty Allah said: «…And made you know one another…» [Surat Al-Hujurât/The Chambers, 13]. He also said: «Call mankind to the way of your Lord with wisdom and sound advice, and reason with them in a well mannered» [Surat An-Nahl/the Bee, 125].

C)The sources of these techniques:

1.The Noble Koran: it draws up guidelines on the path of calling to Allah. They are revealed in its verses such as :

«Call mankind to the way of your Lord with wisdom and sound advice, and reason with them in a well mannered» [Surat An-Nahl/the Bee, 125].

The Noble Koran also narrates the stories of the prophets and the Messengers, and their ways of calling to Allah.

2.The Sunna: it is an application and a translation of what is revealed in the Koran. In fact, the prophet-may peace be upon him was a modal of a good Dâiya.

3.The predecessors (Salaf): they are the Sahaba (the prophet’s companions), their successors. They are immensely knowledgeable about the ways of calling to Allah, and they are privileged over all people since they lived with the prophet-may peace be upon him, understood the Koran and perceived the aims of its revelation. Each Sahabi has his own methods of calling to Allah.

4.The experiences of the preachers (Du’ât) and the deductions of the Ulemas.

The preachers are worldly wise in the field of Dawa. So, one must refer to their successful experiences and to the rules of Fiqh deduced by the Fuqaha (skilled in religion) from their detailed sources.

E)The guidelines of these techniques:    

·        To show the merits and amenity values of Islam, and the  need of people to it in their lives.

·        To demonstrate clearly and simply the rules and the instructions of Islam.

·        To display gradually the essences of faith and the rules of Islam.

·        To adopt the principle of priorities.

·        To seize all the opportunities, like wedding ceremonies, funerals, feasts… Indeed, the prophet-may peace be upon him was always seizing the opportunities either in the coming of pilgrims to Mecca or in markets to  and seized the occasion of the coming of the pilgrims in flock to Mecca to preach and call them to Allah’s way.

·        To address people according to their knowledge. The Almighty Allah said: «And we sent not a messenger except with the language of his people, that he might make all matters clear to them». [Surat Ibrahim/the prophet Abraham, 4].

·        To restrain from scaring people and adopt the means that may awaken people’s desires to what you are calling to.

·        To make people feel that they are called to embrace Islam and not to gain worldly profits, and to steady tenets and not to ephemeral persons or interests. 

·        To endure the problems and the worries of the called people. For example the emptiness of the soul whose symptoms are summarized in the following points:

     -  The feeling of desperation.

     -  Thinking of suicide.

     -  Constant anxiety.

     -  The absence of reverence in worships, mainly in prayer.

     -  Heartlessness.

     -  The state of being not impressed while listening and reciting the Noble Koran.

     -  The fact of being remorseless.   

     -  To cease doing good.

The handle of this problem can be with the following suggestions :

·         To recite constantly the Koran and ponder on it. The Almighty Allah said: «And we revealed that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers». [Surat Al-Isrâ’/the Nocturnal Trip, 82].

·        To stick to the congregational prayers as much as possible.

·         To keep remembering and uttering Allah’s name. the Almighty Allah said: «…Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah  the hearts finds security». [Surat «Ar’rad/the Thunder, from the verse 28].

·        To study the prophet’ Sunna and life.

·        To keep company with the group and attending knowledge meetings.

·        To refer constantly to the successful experiences of others.

·        To think about the Day of Resurrection.

·        To seclude oneself from others.

«See your heart in three moments: in prayer, in remembering Allah and in seclusion, then if you do not find it, ask Allah to provide you with another heart as you have not».

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