Frustrating da'wah

what are the sticking points?

i suggest listening to shabir ally and kamal el-mekki lectures for some ammo.

format_quote Originally Posted by convert

what are the sticking points?

i suggest listening to shabir ally and kamal el-mekki lectures for some ammo.

I believe the main issue is that he doesn't see why we need to follow laws set by God. He believes that God doesn't care whether or not you're circumcised, or eat pork, etc. What matters is only in your heart. He also feels like the Jews and Muslims are too robotic in their rituals. Of course I responded by saying that if you had a book in which God told you to do certain things, wouldn't you do them? He said not if it didn't fit with the culture.

Then of course there's the trinity issue, which is a little frustrating because he seems to have a unique view of the trinity (discussed in another thread of mine entitled "Let me see if I have this right"), where he believes that Jesus, the Father and Holy Spirit are not equal, but rather Jesus is like an intermediary to the Father. I'm having a harder time trying to refute this, because most of the counter-trinity arguments center upon a "each are fully God, yet together they are still one" philosophy. His view is that Jesus is a part of God like a hand is a part of the body.

Of course, one could say that this is a form of polytheism because that's like setting up an idol between you and God, but he doesn't see it that way.

bro, just tell them about Islam and leave them.

by arguing, they 'll become more arrogant and it can affect our faith also.

remember prophet (saws) taught 13 yrs in makkah about islam but the result was very minimal...so have patience.

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

I have been giving da'wah to a Christian friend of mine (whom I met recently as a result of him wanting to learn more about Islam)

Glad to know that ,
You can make friendship with him there is no problem at all ..as long as you guys
respect each others thoughts and religion .
If he asked you to clear an idea he got about islam ..you can do that.
If he asked you to visit a museum or something ..you can do that .

Prophet Mohammed (salla allah alhy wasallam) had a Jewish neighbor ,
his son got sick ..what did our prophet do ? he went to a visit wishing
to him a better health ..
----------------------------
Make sure your Faith is strong , and you have all the answers to your friend`s Qs.

format_quote Originally Posted by rpwelton

I have been giving da'wah to a Christian friend of mine (whom I met recently as a result of him wanting to learn more about Islam), and I have become increasingly frustrated at my efforts.

Whenever we give Da'wah to someone, one point that we must keep in our mind is that this Da'wah what I am doing is for the sake of myself. When I give Da'wah, it will benefit me, either by strengthening my own Iman, or if the mad'oo (person on whom da'wah is performed) comes back towards Allah, then I will also get the reward of his good deeds.

Allah says to our Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi waSallam:

سواء عليهم أأنذرتهم أم لم تنذرهم لا يؤمنون
Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not. [2:6]

Here Allah says sawaa-un 'alaihim not sawaa-un 'alaika, ie it is same for them, whether you call them towards Truth or not; but Allah does not say it is same for you, whether you call them or not, so no need to call.
So da'wah will always benefit the caller when we make the intention that this da'wah is for my own benefit.

If we think that I am spending this effort for the sake of someone else, then there are two dangers awaiting for us:

1. If the person accepts Islam, or comes closer to Allah due to our efforts, we will feel proud and there are chances that our nafs will say, you have done a very good job. Now you will get the reward for all his good deeds, so no need to practice so much now. And our nafs will say: I have done something. This I is really dangerous. It is Allah who has guided him, and I was in no way worthy of this great effort of Da'wah.

2. If the person does not listen, or mock at us, or rejects our da'wah, we become frustrated. We will think, he is not listening then why should I give him da'wah? And we will eventually abandon our efforts.
Hasn't our Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi waSallam visited Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab and Abu Talib unumerous times? Perseverance is one of the qualities that a Da'i must have.

format_quote Originally Posted by rpwelton

I believe the main issue is that he doesn't see why we need to follow laws set by God. He believes that God doesn't care whether or not you're circumcised, or eat pork, etc. What matters is only in your heart. He also feels like the Jews and Muslims are too robotic in their rituals. Of course I responded by saying that if you had a book in which God told you to do certain things, wouldn't you do them? He said not if it didn't fit with the culture.

When a manufacturer creates a device or a machine, he knows better than anybody else how that machine works. He knows the pros and cons, the in and out of the machine. Therefore he provides a user manual with it, so that the end-user can operate the machine properly.
Similarly, Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala has created the human beings. He knows better than anybody else, how we should live our lives. He knows better how to operate our body.
If we think that I have bought this machine, or I have bought this car, and now its my own property. I can use it as I like. I will pour water in the fuel tank, and petrol in the carburettor, and press accelerator whenever I want, and apply the brake whenever I want, then you know what will be the outcome.
Similarly, Allah has given us this life, and Allah has created us. He knows better than anybody else, how we should live our lives. If we think, its my life and my body, and do whatever actions we like, then there will be nothing but fasad on earth. We will only be spreading mischief on earth.
We humans have very limited intellect. Even though science is now proving the benefits of following the Sunnah, we cannot fully comprehend the Wisdom behind following the rules and regulation of Deen. Since our Creator has commanded us to follow it, we must follow it for our own benefit, in this life as well as the life hereafter.


Another important that a Da'i must have is, his own connection with Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala. When Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala gave prophethood to Muhammad Sallallahu 'Alaihi waSallam, He Himself taught him the method of da'wah. So He revealed Surah Al-Muddaththir and Al-Muzzammil. These two Surah are among the early Makkan Surahs.
In Surah Al-Muddaththir, Allah SubHanahu wa Ta'ala has taught our Prophet how he should do the Da'wah during the day time. "O thou wrapped up (in the mantle)! Arise and deliver thy warning! And thy Lord do thou magnify! And thy garments keep free from stain! And all abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)! But, for thy Lord's (Cause), be patient and constant!" [74:1-7]
And in Surah Al-Muzzammil, He taught him the efforts to be spent during the night. "O thou folded in garments! Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night,- Half of it,- or a little less, Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones." [73:1-4].
So it is important for a Da'i to stand up in prayer during the night and engage in Dua, and shed some tears. The efforts of the day (inviting people towards Allah) is like ploughing the fields and sowing the seeds. And the efforts during the night (crying in front of Allah) is like watering the field. If we simply plough the field and sow the seeds, but do not water them, then we cannot expect any crop.
Similarly, we have to get up for tahajjud and cry in front of our Lord, O Allah! I have not done anything. I cannot fulfil the rights of Da'wah upon me. I am not worthy of taking part in this great mission, for which you used to Prophets and Messengers. I know that I cannot guide anyone. Nothing will happen due to my efforts. It is You, O Allah, who guides whoever You want. Please guide so and so to the right path... ...

After the conquest of Makkah, the Sahabah, and the Prophet Sallallahu 'Alaihi waSallam himself, was crying during the night, holding the curtains of Ka'bah, and saying, O Allah! give hidayah to Wahshi, O Allah! give hidayah to Hindah, O Allah! give hidayah to Ikramah...


This is what I learnt from 'Ulama and elders in the field of Da'wah. If I said anything wrong, then its from me and Shaitan, so pls correct me. If there is anything right, then it is from Allah. May Allah give us the taufeeq to practice what we preach.