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I would have to approach this project like I did many of my previous endeavors in the work of Da’wah (invitation to Allah) get other people to participate and reflect with me even though at the end I would be the one putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
When we make the efforts in all humility to seek a comprehensive understanding based on a shared and common knowledge and experience, we become able to widen our capacities. That is why consultation of knowledgeable and experienced other individuals is so fundamental in Islam. That is what Shura is.
One handicap or advantage is I did not have what is considered today a real academic training in Islamic studies. I studied with some scholars in Madina for several years, different books and often had discussions with my first teacher about many issues facing the Muslims and Islam in the time we live in, and how to work to improve our condition.
The advantage is that it would be easier for me to look at the project of the book from a different angle without the diagram and forms taught in formal establishments of Islamic knowledge.
I do have something to help me : many years of experience in the field and the chance to have worked and lived with brothers of different countries languages cultural backgrounds all working together in the path of Da’wah (invitation to Allah).
For that Allah really blessed me to have worked in many different Da’wah (invitation to Allah) Centers under the supervision of scholars, plane pilots, doctors, engineers ,lawyers ,soldiers ,laymen all brothers driven by the same desire to serve the Deen of Islam ( religion of Islam).
During almost 24 years I have worked at different levels and positions with all these brothers ,employees or volunteers. Either worked as a teacher, a coordinator, a technician, a propagator a translator a designer an administrator all in the service of Da’wah (invitation to Allah) to Allah.
Also as a revert I benefited of a different angle of approach to Da’wah (invitation to Allah) and later on, once my children had became teenagers I also had the experience of raising good Muslim children in a Muslim environment .
Da’wah (invitation to Allah) for me is more of a life story than the normal progression from studying Sharia (Islamic legislation) law to active adult professional life or volunteering in Da’wah.
Like most of the reverts to Islam my motivation for working in Da’wah (invitation to Allah) is first and foremost driven by the need to share with others knowledge about the most precious gift in this life.
“ Faith in Allah the One The Unique The Creator The Complete The Absolute The Merciful The Giver of Life The Sustainer. “
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Why write another book about Da’wah ilaAllah (Invitation to Allah)?
Many scholarly books have been written about this subject, and verily it would be difficult to write anything new about this topic because we should refer always to the work of the pious predecessors.
However, once the author started searching and taking notes after discussing the issue with some coleagues the idea became more interesting.
From the beginning it was obvious to the author that this should not be an individual effort if something significant was to be written. Therefore, the first step is the Shura[1] around the subject of this book.
The book does not follow an academic classification of chapters because it is based on experience supported by evidences. And it is not a theorical approach of Da’wah therefore it is best to read it as a journal.
You can find here all the tools that are necessary to have a successful Da’wah project. Whether your goal is to work as an individual or to build a more complex organization you will find what you are looking for in this humble work.
The goal is to share with you the fruits of the knowledge gathered in many years of intensive activities in the work of invitation to Islam.
As an individual and a member of several Da’wah teams we had time to make mistakes and to correct these mistakes. Even when trying to cover most of the angles pertaining to that endeavor there probably are things missing. Nevertheless, because the book was reviewed several times during the process of writing, the writer has great hope it will be most beneficial for anybody looking for means to understand best how to inform people about what Islam is and how to invite others to this beautiful way of life.
It is also important to mention that there is not a one size fits all approach to Da’wah. Different people with different circumstances call for a creative and adaptive methodology. The goal remains the same, how to purify ourselves in a manner accepted by our Creator once the concept of monotheism is accepted.
Allah said:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا
He has succeeded who purifies the soul, and he has failed who corrupts the soul. [Surah Ash-Shams 91:9-10]
And Allah said:
يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
A day when there will be no benefit in wealth nor children, except whoever comes to Allah with a pure heart. [Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89]
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ
Verily, Allah does not look at your appearances or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2564, Grade: Sahih (authentic)
[1] What is Shura? Shura comes from an Arabic word shara. Its original meaning, according to classical Arabic dictionaries, is to extract honey from hives. The secondary meaning is consultation and deliberation. It brings forth ideas and opinions from people minds analogous to the extracting of honey from hives. It might also have been thought that good ideas and opinions were as sweet and precious as honey. Another definition of Shura is the process of making decisions by consultation and deliberation among those who have an interest in the matter on which a decision is to be taken, or others who can help them to reach such a decision.
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